Start with two teams
For most buddies trips, a trip-long team competition (a "cup") is the backbone. Split the group into two teams with similar total handicaps, play team formats each round, and award a point for every match. It gives every round a scoreboard and every shot a reason to matter.
Formats that work for a team cup
| Format | How it's played | Typical allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Four-ball match play | 2 vs 2, best ball on each hole wins the hole | 90% |
| Foursomes (alternate shot) | 2 vs 2, one ball per side, partners alternate shots | 50% of combined |
| Greensomes / Chapman | Both tee off, pick one ball, then alternate (Chapman swaps second shots first) | 60% low / 40% high |
| Singles match play | 1 vs 1, usually saved for the last day | 100% |
| Scramble | Everyone hits, play the best shot | Varies by team size |
Allowances are the USGA's recommended handicap allowances. Use our handicap strokes calculator to work out who gets what.
By group size
- 8 players (2 foursomes): two four-ball or foursomes matches per round, 4 vs 4 teams. Over four rounds that's 8 team points plus singles on the last day.
- 12 players (3 foursomes): 6 vs 6, three matches per round. Rotate partners so everyone plays with everyone on their team.
- 16 players (4 foursomes): 8 vs 8 or four teams of four. With four teams, play round-robin team matches and keep a running points table.
Side games every round
- Nassau inside each foursome: front, back and overall.
- Skins across the whole group: every player's score counts, so the 12 or 16 of you are all in one game.
- Closest to the pin and longest drive on set holes.
- Wolf for foursomes that want something different on the last day.
- Sixes for a foursome: three six-hole better-ball matches, with a new partner for each one (players 1 and 2 against 3 and 4, then 1 and 3 against 2 and 4, then 1 and 4 against 2 and 3).
- Nines (5-3-1) for a threesome: 9 points a hole, low score 5, middle 3, high score 1.
Keep one ledger
The hardest part of a trip with several games every day is the math at the end. Keep a single ledger for the whole trip and settle once, in the fewest payments. ForeLeft! does this automatically: matches and side games from every round go into one settle-up.
Last updated October 19, 2026. House rules vary; agree on yours on the first tee.
