Golf Tournament Formats: How to Choose the Right Format for Your Event

Choosing the right golf tournament format is one of the most important decisions when planning your event. Whether you’re hosting a charity fundraiser, a corporate outing, or a friendly club competition, your format will shape the day’s pace, competitiveness, and overall experience.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most popular golf tournament formats — and help you choose the best fit for your players and event goals.

And if you’re looking for an easier way to manage registrations, payments, and player communications, Partaake makes tournament planning effortless.

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Why Choosing the Right Golf Tournament Format Matters

Your tournament format impacts more than just scoring. It affects:

• How fast the round moves
• How fun and inclusive the day feels
• How comfortable beginners or casual golfers are participating
• The level of competitiveness
  

Selecting the right format ensures that everyone — from seasoned players to first-timers — enjoys the event.

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Most Popular Golf Tournament Formats

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Scramble Format

The scramble is the most popular golf tournament format, especially for charity outings and corporate events. It’s beginner-friendly, team-focused, and keeps rounds moving quickly.

How it works:

• All players on a team (usually four) tee off.
• The team selects the best shot.
• Everyone hits from that spot.
• Repeat until the ball is holed.
  

Many tournaments require each player’s drive to be used a minimum number of times to keep it fair and inclusive.

Why choose it:

• Great for mixed skill levels
• Faster pace of play
• Emphasizes teamwork and fun

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Shamble Format

A shamble is similar to a scramble on the tee shot, but after selecting the best drive, each golfer plays their own ball the rest of the hole.

How it works:

• Everyone tees off, best drive is selected.
• Each player finishes the hole individually from that spot.
• Team score is based on the best individual scores.
  

Why choose it:

• Mix of team play and individual golf
• Allows stronger players to shine while keeping it fun

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Best Ball Format

In a Best Ball tournament, each golfer plays their own ball on every hole, and the lowest score among the team counts.

How it works:

• No team shots. Everyone plays their own ball start to finish.
• Lowest individual score on each hole counts for the team.
  

Why choose it:

• Great for experienced or competitive golfers
• True test of individual performance within a team

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How to Choose the Best Golf Tournament Format for Your Group

Consider:

• Skill levels of participants - Beginners? Choose scramble. Mixed skills? Shamble. Experienced golfers? Best Ball.

• Event goals - Fundraising and fun? Scramble. Competitive club event? Best Ball.

• Time constraints - Scrambles and shambles move faster than Best Ball.

If you’re unsure, consult with the golf course staff. They often have valuable advice based on your group size, experience, and event type.

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Organize Your Golf Tournament the Easy Way

No matter what golf tournament format you choose, Partaake is here to make your event simple and stress-free. Our platform lets you:

• Set up registration pages
• Collect payments securely
• Manage teams and pairings
• Communicate updates to players in real time
  

Ready to get started? Learn more about Partaake here.

Plan smarter, play better — and host a tournament everyone will remember.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best format for a charity golf tournament?

The most popular format for charity golf tournaments is the scramble. It’s fast-paced, team-oriented, and ideal for players of all skill levels. Scrambles keep the day fun, inclusive, and efficient — perfect for fundraising and large groups.

What is the difference between scramble and best ball?

In a scramble, all players hit from the same spot after each shot, choosing the best ball each time. In best ball, each golfer plays their own ball throughout the hole, and the team uses the lowest individual score. Scrambles are faster and more social; best ball is better for experienced players.

How do I choose the right golf tournament format?

Start by considering your audience. If your group includes beginners or casual players, go with a scramble or shamble. For more competitive events with skilled golfers, formats like best ball or stroke play may be more appropriate. Also factor in how much time you have and whether your goal is fun, fundraising, or competition.

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