CrispyBoysGolf

The handicap system is the game’s great equalizer, ensuring that players of all skill levels may compete on a level playing field. Golf is still amusing. Even when no one is sandbagging, matches can go awry. While taking your buddies out for a few dollars is enjoyable, Tiger Woods-on-Stephen Ames-style beatdowns may get tedious. One method to adapt is to begin faking numbers. But that’s also no fun. Selecting match types that help keep things tight is a preferable option. Here are our top recommendations.

Scramble with a Difference

This is a good choice if you’re in a foursome with dramatically disparate handicaps. Divide into 2-vs-2 teams, with each team playing a scramble (meaning that you always play the ball that turns out better).

Take 33 percent of the difference in the total handicaps of the two teams to determine how many strokes you give or get.

The disparity is nine if one side has a combined handicap of 19 and the other has a combined handicap of 10. A third of three equals three. The stronger team is handing the weaker team a stroke on the three toughest holes.

How to play 6-6-6 Golf

Because everyone has good and bad days, rotate your two-player teams three times during the round, changing things up every six holes.

Start by selecting which three formats you would like to play within your 18-hole match. This can be any format of your choosing, but the most commonly used in 6-6-6 are foursomes, four-ball, and scramble.

The game then involves a best of three format playing your three mini matches every six holes.

This means holes 1-6 could be foursomes, 7-12 four-ball, and 13-18 a scramble. Whichever pair wins two or more of the three games therefore wins the overall match.

Formats can be played in any order you like, and teams can always be swapped around between games if you’re only playing a causal round.

Overall, 6-6-6 is an exciting game which allows players to get used to a range of different formats all in one match. 6-6-6 encourages strategic team play and keeps things competitive without applying too much pressure.

Sunningdale

This format is for one-on-one singles matches and is named after the renowned club in England. It is popular at courses around the UK.

The regulation is simple: if a player wins two holes in a row at any point during the match, the opposing player receives a stroke on the next hole.

This game is traditionally designed to be played at level handicaps, with no strokes provided at the start. But it doesn’t have to be that way. It will help keep you both interested throughout the round, regardless of who you’re up against.