Not sure how a format works? No problem! Here is a simple breakdown of all the formats we play throughout the season so you always know exactly what to expect when you tee it up.
Important Reminder: Handicap allowances vary across different competition formats. Always check the applicable handicap allowance for the format being played on the day before teeing off.
IPS is all about converting your strokes into points. The better you play on a hole, the more points you earn. Here is how it works if you play off scratch (0 handicap):
Score
Points
Four strokes under par
6 points
Three strokes under par
5 points
Two strokes under par
4 points
One stroke under par
3 points
Level par
2 points
One stroke over par
1 point
Two strokes over par
2 points
Do you receive strokes on a hole? Good news — strokes work in your favour! Simply add the following to your points above:
– Receive a stroke on a hole — add 1 point. – Receive a double stroke — add 2 points. – Receive a triple stroke — add 3 points.
Example: You make par on a hole and receive a double stroke — that is 2 + 2 = 4 points!
Matchplay
How does it work?
Matchplay is simple — the lowest score on each hole wins that hole. The player or team that wins the most holes wins the match. Here is what you need to know:
– If both players make par but one receives a stroke on that hole — the player with the stroke wins the hole. – If neither player has a stroke advantage — the hole is halved. – The match ends when one player or team leads by more holes than there are left to play.
What does 4&3 mean? It means one player is 4 holes ahead with only 3 holes remaining — making it impossible for the other player to catch up. Match over!
Betterball
In Betterball, two players form a pair and combine their best score on each hole. We play Betterball in three different formats:
Betterball IPS
Scoring works exactly the same as the LIV (IPS) format above. The only difference is that the highest points scored between the two partners on each hole is recorded as the team score.
Example: Player A scores 1 point and Player B scores 2 points on the same hole — 2 points is recorded for the pair.
Betterball Bogey+
Bogey+ follows the same IPS scoring principles but instead of writing down points, you record symbols on your scorecard:
Points
Symbol
What does it mean
4 points
++
Double Plus
3 points
+
Plus
2 points
□
Square
1 point or below
–
Minus
As with IPS Betterball, the best symbol between the two partners is recorded in the results column.
Betterball Medal
Medal Betterball works differently — forget the points, it is all about your net strokes on each hole.
Here is how it works:
– Each player records the number of strokes played on each hole. – Deduct your course handicap strokes from your total.
Example — all four players take 5 strokes on a hole:
Player
Strokes
Handicap
Net Score
Player A
5
0 (no stroke)
5
Player B
5
1 (stroke)
4
Player C
5
2 (double stroke)
3
Player D
5
3 (triple stroke)
2
The lowest net score between each pair is recorded in the results column:
– Player A & B record 4 – Player C & D record 2
Foursomes
How does a Foursomes match work?
Foursomes is a team format where two players share a single ball and take turns hitting it throughout the round. Here is the simple version:
– One partner tees off on odd numbered holes (1, 3, 5…). – The other partner tees off on even numbered holes (2, 4, 6…). – After the tee shot, partners continue to alternate shots until the ball is holed. – The team with the lowest score wins the hole. – If both teams finish with the same score — the hole is halved.
Key rules to remember:
– The alternating shot system is strictly enforced — hitting two shots in a row results in a penalty. – Tee shot rotation must be maintained throughout the entire round. – Both partners share one scorecard for the round.
Why is Foursomes special? This format is all about trust, communication and teamwork. You rely on your partner for every shot — making it one of the most exciting and challenging formats we play!