Golf is well known for its variety of competitions. The clubs have various scoring methods. Though the ultimate goal of this game is to drop the ball in the par, various scoring methods makes this game more interesting. Let’s look at some of the types and their scoring mechanisms.
Scoring is usually calculated based on the number of strikes a player takes to par the ball. There are two basic methods of golf play: Match play and Stroke play.
Match play
This type of play is much preferred in many competitions at club level. Match play is played between two players and two teams. Both parties’ plays for the same hole and the party with the lowest score win the game. If both parties get the same score, then both the parties are awarded with half each. Finally, the party which won high number of holes will be declared as winner.
Stroke play
Most of the professional tournaments are held in this format of the game. In this game, all the 18 holes in the golf course will be utilized. In this game, a player or a team competes for all the 18 holes. After all the teams/players complete all the 18 holes, points earned by each party are calculated. The party which gets the lowest score wins.
Foursome
In this form of game, two players are involved in partnership. Both the players will play with the same ball. Each player hits the ball alternatively. One player will start off the strike by placing the ball on the tee which is placed in odd numbers. The other player follows even numbered pattern. After the first strike, the players play alternatively till the ball is pared. An interesting feature in this game is that if a player strikes a penalty then, the order of play is not changed. Scoring can be done either based on match play or stroke play.
Four ball
This game is very much similar to foursome. But, the key difference is that each player will play with their own ball. Again, the scoring can be followed by match play or stroke play.
Stable ford
In stable ford, each player gets score for each par. But, here the scoring method is different from the above discussed methods of play. The points table for each par is given below:
- 1 point for bogey (one stroke over par)
- 2 points for a par (equal to par)
- 3 points for a birdie (one stroke under par)
- 4 points for an eagle (two strokes under par)
Apart from these types there are also other unofficial types of play:
Scramble
In this form of game, each player in a team starts off the strike and plays for a hole. Each player decides which shot was the best shot. After this, each player starts from the place where the best shot has come from. This iteration is repeated until pared.
The above mentioned types are only a minimal list. There are various other formats played by the golfers. But, most of them will be similar to any one of the types as discussed above.
