Variations of Competition

            “The Game of Golf consists in playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole by successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.”  This official definition applies to all competition, but there are many different ways to compete.

            As mentioned earlier, the game can be at match play (a win, loss or tie on every hole) or stroke play (lowest total score for round wins).  But, there is a wide variety of games that can be played, using either form.

            In our discussion of match play strategy, we pointed out that tournament golf, while basically 72-hole stroke play competitions, has held pure match-play tournaments in the past—one golfer against another—and is varying this with its Match Play Championship in 1971 by using stroke play scoring in the head-to-head eliminations, as has been done on some filmed TV golf shows.

            Another tournament of recent popularity on the tour has been the Four-Ball Championship, which becomes the Team Championship in 1971 because of the confusion caused by the name “Four-Ball.”  In it, two players use their better score on each hole against the better score of two other players.  We use stroke play, but it can also be match play as in Ryder Cup Matches.

            Then, there is Foursome competition, also a part of the Ryder Cup format.  In this, each two-player side or team plays only one ball.  In the Ryder Cup Matches, the two players alternate in hitting the tee shots from hole to hole and alternate hitting the shots on each hole until the ball is holes.  In the old Haig & Haig tournament, in which a male and a female pro played as partners, both players hit tee shots, one was chosen and the hold complete with the alternate-shot procedure.  Another variation has both partners driving, hitting each other’s ball for the second shot, then choosing.  Finally, the alternating of shots can begin on the first tee and proceed in that fashion until the round is completed.  Again, at match or stroke play.

            All of these games and many others can be found on the schedules of most clubs during the golf season.