Event Types

* For details on how Club Trophy, Shield & Medal competitions are played, please see Conditions of Play

These notes are only intended to assist in the general concept of how the various events are played. To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf and any Local Rules.

STROKE: The score at each hole is entered on the scorecard, totalled and the player’s full handicap deducted. The player who completes the round in the fewest strokes is the winner.

PAR: In par play the score is entered on the card the same way as in stroke play, the exception being where a score exceeds par for the hole, after allowing for handicap stroke (if the player is in receipt of one).

When a player is beaten by par, the ball shall be picked up. This helps speed up play.

After entering the stroke score on the card, the result is marked in the column provided with a “+” sign for a score better then net par, or an “o” for an equal to a net par, and a “-” for a score worse than a net par. At the end of the round the plus and minus signs are added, and the net result written in as so many up, down, or all square. A player is allowed his full stroke handicap and the strokes are taken at the holes as indicated on the card.

STABLEFORD: The method of playing stableford is for the player to take strokes at holes as in par competition using full handicap and to score points on the net result at each hole. At the end of the round all points scored are added up and the player having the highest number of points is the winner. In scoring, a player who scores a net one over par receives one point, for a net par two points, for a net one under par three points and for a net two under par four points and so on. When a player cannot better a net one over par the ball shall be picked up- this helps speed up play.

AMBROSE TWO PERSON:

Both players’ names and handicaps must be on the card.
Handicap ¼ of the total players’ handicaps is the team handicap.
Both players hit off from each tee and select a ball for the playing position.
The selected ball is played as it lies unless a preferred lie is taken.
On the fairway, the other player places their ball within one club length of the selected ball.
In the rough and any hazard, the other player must drop their ball within one club length of the selected ball.
Play continues in that manner until the green is reached.
On the green, the selected ball must be marked and the other player plays their ball as
near as possible from the position of the selected ball.
Tap-ins are allowed, as in four-ball competitions.
6 drives each to be taken.

AMBROSE FOUR PERSON:

Minimum of three drives to count.
All Players’ names and handicaps must be on the card.
Handicap 1/8th of the total players’ handicaps is the team handicap.
All players hit off from each tee and select a ball for the playing position.
The selected ball is played as it lies. (4 Drives each required)
On the fairway, the other players place their balls within one club length of the selected ball.
In the rough and any hazard, the other players must drop their balls within one club length of the selected ball.
Play continues in that manner until the green is reached.
On the green, the selected ball must be marked and the other players play their balls as near as possible from the position of the selected ball.
Tap-ins are allowed, as in four ball competitions.

FOUR BALL BEST BALL STABLEFORD: Played in exactly the same way as stableford except that the better ball of the partnership will be credited with the points. The initials of that player are also to be placed beside the score.

FOUR BALL BEST BALL PAR: Two players play as partners each taking strokes as in par competition. If one of the players wins a hole and the other halves it only the win shall count. If one player halves the hole and the other loses it only the half is counted, and so on, plus + and half o and minus – are added up and recorded as in an ordinary par competition.

When a player cannot beat his partner’s result, he shall pick up his ball – this helps speed up play.

NOTE – In a four-ball handicap event care must be taken to mark the scores of each player with their initials. If this is not done it is impossible for the Match committee to check the card and the players will be disqualified.

MIXED FOUR BALL BEST BALL versus PAR OR STABLEFORD: Those games are played as described previously except that the lady plays from her own tees, uses her own scorecard, local rules, etc. The result is only transferred to her partner’s card when her score is better than his. Care must be taken when checking the card to refer to the lady’s card when dealing with holes scored by her.

FOURSOMES: Two players play as partners and use one ball.

Player “A” hits off all odd numbered tees.
Player “B” hits off all even numbered tees.
Alternate shots complete each hole.
Penalties do not affect the order of play.

MIXED FOURSOMES: Mixed Foursomes are played as above except that the ladies hit off the even numbered tees, use their own tees and local rules when it is their turn to play.

CANADIAN FOURSOMES: Played as above except that both players play tee shots and afterwards continue with whichever ball they nominate, the partner hitting the selected ball.

CANADIAN TWO STROKE / CHAPMANS: Both players play tee shots, hitting their own balls a second time then select the better ball (the partner to hit such ball) and thereafter continue as above.

PINEHURST: Both players play from the tee, and then play a second stroke with their partner’s ball. One ball is then selected and play proceeds as in foursomes with the partner playing the third shot with the selected ball.

Note: In Foursomes, Par, Stableford or 4 BBB, each individual player’s name and handicap must appear on the card.

Event Types

Golf Events And How They Are Played