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Strokeplay
This is the
form of competion in which
the player totals his score
for each of the 18 hole,
giving a gross score before
the deduction of the
handicap. The full handicap
is deducted from the gross
score to give the net score.
This is usually considered
the most testing form of
golf.
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Matchplay
This is the head-to-head
match between two players.
If played off handicap it
is 3/4 of handicap
difference, at Hill Barn we
now give full handicap
difference, the
lower handicap player gives
three quarters of the
handicap difference to the
higher handicap player - the
strokes being taken by
following the stroke index
column on the scorecard.
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Foursomes
In this, four golfers
play together in pairs, but
use one ball between a pair
and take alternate shots for
each hole. One player elects
to drive the first hole and
will then drive on every odd
numbered hole; the other
takes the even ones. This
can then be played on a
match play or stroke play
format. At Hill Barn it
can
be 3/8 of handicap
difference we now give 1/2
handicap difference.
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Four Ball
Better Ball
This is a form of play in
which four players play
together, each using a ball.
It is played in
partnerships, matching the
lower score for each of the
partnerships in a matchplay
format. Four Ball Better
Ball can also be played in
strokeplay form. In a match,
the handicapping is taken on
a three-quarter basis, the
players taking handicap
strokes from the lower
handicap of the four.
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Greensomes
In this competition,
players go out in fours,
made up of two pairs. All
four players drive on each
hole. The players of each
partnership choose the
preferred drive of the two and
finish the hole playing
alternate shots. The player
whose drive was not taken
plays the second shot. Some
clubs use a handicap system
for this, just taking the
average of the two
handicaps, others use what
is generally a fairer
system, taking six tenths of
the lower handicap plus four
tenths of the higher
handicap. A Greensome can
then be played as a match, a
medal or a Stableford Bogey.
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The
Stableford or Stableford
Bogey
This is a popular form of
competition against the par
(derived from the name for
par of "bogey"). In this,
the player takes
seven-eighths of his
handicap against par,
according to the stroke
index. In other words, a 24
handicap would receive 21
strokes and gets one stroke
on each hole plus a stroke
on those in the index marked
one, two or three. On the
card he fills in the gross
score and then, after
mentally deducting the
strokes, counts two points
for a hole completed in par
or net par, one point for a
score or of one over par,
three points for a birdie or
nett birdie, four for an
eagle or net eagle, and so
on. The player with the most
points for the 18 holes
wins, with the winning
scores usually ranging from
35 to 42 points. The
Stableford form of
competition can be played in
singles, foursomes, four
balls or greensomes.
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Bogey
Competition
This is an alternative to
the Stableford Bogey and is,
in effect, a matchplay
competition in which the
golfer plays a hole-by-hole
match against par (bogey).
The player, with their full
handicap,
takes those in the form of
strokes from par according
to the stroke index. Unlike
a true match, the whole
round is completed and the
player records on each hole
whether, after receipt of
the stroke, he has won or
lost the hole against bogey.
At the end of the round he
records how many up or down
he is against par, for
example three up or six
down. This is a difficult
form of competition with
winning scores anything from
two up to two down.
Bisque
Bogey
In a match or bogey
competition, an adaptation
is to use "bisques". These
are, in effect, strokes that
can be taken where a player
chooses, instead of at an
allotted hole. In a Bisque
Bogey the player would, for
example, receive perhaps 15
strokes and can elect, after
playing the hole, whether or
not to take one of his
bisques. In a similar way, a
match can be played in which
one player gives another six
bisques and he can decide
when he wants to take them.
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Eclectic competition
This is a type of
competition run, as a rule,
over a period of weeks or
months, in which the player
records his best score for
every hole taken over that
same period. There are
various ways of playing an
Eclectic Competition. In
some cases, players are
allowed unlimited cards and
in others they are
restricted. As a general
principle, after completing
the initial round, the
player tries to improve the
score for each individual
hole before the usual before
the usual deduction of half
handicap.
we give 4/5ths of handicap
for 2 card eclectics and
2/3rds for 3 card.
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Flag
Competition
Here the player is
allotted a certain number of
strokes to use for the
round, being the par of the
course plus his handicap. In
other words, a 20 handicap
golfer playing on a par 70
course is given 90 strokes
to use. He starts off from
the first tee and, after
playing 90 strokes, places a
small flag with his name on
where the 90th shot
finishes. The person who
finishes nearest the 18 th
hole or farthest up the
first or second fairway for
the second time round is the
winner.
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St
Andrews Greensome
The St Andrews Greensome
is similar to an ordinary
Greensome, except that the
players alternate in taking
the second shots. In other
words, one player elects to
take the second shot on the
odd numbers holes and the
other on the even ones. They
still both drive and elect
the better drive for the
next player to play.
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Texas
Scramble
This is a team
competition, usually
four-up. Each player drives
off the first tee. The team
captain then chooses the
best drive and all the
players take their ball to
this position. They all then
hit a shot from there. The
captain again chooses the
best second shot. Everyone
else takes their ball to
that spot and continues
until the first player has
holed out.
All players must
take a specified
number of tee shots
see competition book
on the day of the
competition.
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rules and etiquette
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- State the score in a match at the end of every hole if you are the player who is down. If you are the one who is up, state the score if your opponent fails to do so.
- When marking your ball on the green, use a small coin or ball marker and place it behind the ball before picking it up. When replacing it, put the ball down in exactly the spot it came from and then pick up the marker. If, for some reason, you have to ask a player to mark his ball to the side, then remind him to replace it in the right spot.
- Etiquette is also vital for safety.
- Always stand to the right of the shot and never behind a player.
- On the tee, always go over to the right side of the tee to watch another player. This is crucial for safety. Remember that the other person may hit his drive, not be satisfied with it and then take a practice swing while you are possible walking forward to take up your position.
- Never get ahead of a player, and never turn your back on someone who is playing, no matter how expert. Always keep level with him and on the correct side.
- If there is any likelihood of your ball hitting someone else, or it is going over trees toward an adjacent fairway; call out "fore". If you hear someone else shout "fore" don't just look around to see whether they mean you, but bend over and cover your head with your arms.
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- Try to get used to playing golf at reasonable speed. When you get to the tee, don't mark your card for the previous hole if you are the first player to drive. Get onto the tee as quickly as possible, but take your time over your shot. Other players should then get their drivers out and be ready, again marking the card if necessary while going up to the next fairway. Don't mark your card on the green or even by the green after finishing the hole.
- Get used to leaving your clubs on the correct side of the green as near as possible to the exit to the next tee.
- Move quickly between shots so that other players are not delayed.
- If you think you have lost a ball, get used to using the provisional ball rule. This will avoid the bother of having to go back to the tee.
- The rules state that you are allowed five minutes to look for your ball. If you think that it could be lost, check your watch immediately you arrive on the scene, be prepared to call other players through from behind you and only use that five minutes. In a four ball assume that each player is responsible for his own ball and keep play moving.
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Always be punctual on the first tee and never have practice swings on a tee.