Captain's Choice Golf: A Popular Golf Format But Not The Only One
Captain's Choice golf is a tournament format mostly played during corporate events, charity events, etc. This format allows for even playing between different team members, making it perfect for large groups. Captains Choice offers several customization to make the event right for your group or charity event.

The Most Popular Golf Format: Captain's Choice Tournament Format
Captain's choice (also known as a scramble) is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, format in competitive golf. The idea of the captains choice golf format is to have each team take turns hitting from the best position of the previous shots, intending to have the lowest team score.
This is also known as a scramble format. Generally, this is played as a foursome If there is a 3-some, golfers may alter the additional shot. This should all be determined before playing.
This is also known as a scramble format. Generally, this is played as a foursome If there is a 3-some, golfers may alter the additional shot. This should all be determined before playing.
Rules of Captain's Choice
The rules for the Captain's Format goes as follows:
- All golfers take their tee shot.
- The team's captain then selects the best drive
- The team then takes its subsequent shot from the captain's chosen spot (hence the name).
- This process is repeated until the golf ball is in the hole.
How to Score Captain's Choice
Scoring in Captain's Choice is pretty straight forward. You simply take the number of strokes your team took to put the ball in the hole, which becomes the score. The team captain is often the one to keep track of the score. One nuance is when handicap is used, you are keeping a gross and a net score.
Why Captain's Choice is Popular
It is a simple format that is great for high handicappers since it allows even the worst team of golfers to shoot below 80; who wouldn’t want these bragging rights, right?
In addition, the Captain's Choice Format gives everyone a change to participate regardless of their ability.
In addition, the Captain's Choice Format gives everyone a change to participate regardless of their ability.
Other Golf Formats that golfers also enjoy
Match Play
Match-play golf is a different type of golf that is played against an opponent. The golfer plays the entire round against one opponents, and the goal is to score win more holes than your opponent. Winning a hole means you had the lowest score on a hole. Your mission is to be up more holes than there are holes remaining to play. Holes can also be tied and you get one point for winning a hole.
There are no mulligans, and match play is a very challenging and fun game to play. The Ryder Cup is a match play format.
There are no mulligans, and match play is a very challenging and fun game to play. The Ryder Cup is a match play format.
Four Ball
A four-ball format in golf is a type of tournament or competition in which two teams of two golfers each play their own ball, and the team with the lowest combined score wins. In this format, each player on a team plays his or her own ball throughout the round, and the team score is the total of the two scores from each team member. You win a hole by having the lowest combined score. This can be played in both a match play or stroke play format.
Stroke Play
Stroke play golf is a form of play where a golfer (or golfers) competes against all others in the competition by comparing a total score for one or more rounds.
This format's objective is to make as few strokes as possible over the 18 holes. In stroke play, each hole is assigned a par, which is the number of strokes that a skilled player should take to complete the hole.
A player's score for a hole is the number of strokes they took to complete it, and their total score for the round is the sum of their scores on all holes. If a player takes more strokes on a hole than the hole's par, they have made a "bogey"; if they take fewer strokes, they have made a "birdie."
This format's objective is to make as few strokes as possible over the 18 holes. In stroke play, each hole is assigned a par, which is the number of strokes that a skilled player should take to complete the hole.
A player's score for a hole is the number of strokes they took to complete it, and their total score for the round is the sum of their scores on all holes. If a player takes more strokes on a hole than the hole's par, they have made a "bogey"; if they take fewer strokes, they have made a "birdie."
Best Ball
The best ball rule is a format in which the best score among a group of players is used as the team score on each hole. The team with the lowest total score at the end of the round is the winner. This format is often used in team competitions or in social settings where golfers of varying skill levels are playing together.
For example, if player A makes a 4 on a hole and player B makes a 5, the team score for that hole would be 4. If player A makes a 6 and player B makes a 3, the team score would be 3. The team's total score for the round is the sum of their scores on all holes. Best ball golf brings in interesting elements of strategy into the game.
For example, if player A makes a 4 on a hole and player B makes a 5, the team score for that hole would be 4. If player A makes a 6 and player B makes a 3, the team score would be 3. The team's total score for the round is the sum of their scores on all holes. Best ball golf brings in interesting elements of strategy into the game.
Alternate Shot
The alternate shot golf format has been around for a while and it is gaining popularity. In this format, the two of you don't get to play with your golf balls. Instead, one player hits their ball from a tee box on the odd-numbered holes, with the other golfer hitting on the even number. You take turns hitting the ball from the position where the previous players shot finished until the hole is complete.
For example, if player A hits the tee shot and player B hits the second shot, player A would hit the third shot and so on, until the hole is completed. This creates some interesting strategies and dynamics that will keep you on your toes.
For example, if player A hits the tee shot and player B hits the second shot, player A would hit the third shot and so on, until the hole is completed. This creates some interesting strategies and dynamics that will keep you on your toes.
Skins
Skins golf is a format in which golfers compete for a prize on each hole, with the lowest score on that hole winning the prize. The game is played using nine holes, each awarding a different prize. This was a very popular TV golf format for many years.
Skins golf is all about birdies. Golfers love the thrill of trying to make a putt from close range and then watching the golf ball fly through the air and into the cup. For some, it’s a chance to show off their amazing skills on one of the world’s most famous courses. For others, it’s just a way to have some fun and relax after a long day at work.
Skins golf is all about birdies. Golfers love the thrill of trying to make a putt from close range and then watching the golf ball fly through the air and into the cup. For some, it’s a chance to show off their amazing skills on one of the world’s most famous courses. For others, it’s just a way to have some fun and relax after a long day at work.
Texas Scramble
The Texas scramble is a 4-person team event that challenges competitors to navigate several obstacles in as few drives as possible. Each team member must contribute at least four drives, making the competition particularly challenging. Competitors must be able to think on their feet and be able to change strategies when the situation demands it quickly. This twist makes for an exciting and unpredictable match that spectators can enjoy from anywhere on the course.
Stableford
Stableford golf is a scoring system in which points are awarded for each hole based on the player's score relative to par. The goal is to accumulate as many points as possible over the course of the round. In the Stableford system, a player earns points based on the following:
For example, if a hole is a par 4, a player who scores a 5 would earn 2 points (for a bogey). A player who scores a 3 would earn 4 points (for a birdie). And a player who scores a 6 would earn 0 points, since that score is worse than a bogey.
The winner of the round is the player with the most points at the end of the round. This system rewards players who are able to maintain consistency and avoid big mistakes, and it allows for a player to have a bad hole without severely impacting the overall score. This format is often used in club or friendly matches but it's not as common in tournament play.
- 2 points for a bogey (one over par)
- 3 points for par
- 4 points for a birdie (one under par)
- 5 points for an eagle (two under par)
- 6 points for a double eagle (three under par)
- 0 points for a score worse than a bogey
For example, if a hole is a par 4, a player who scores a 5 would earn 2 points (for a bogey). A player who scores a 3 would earn 4 points (for a birdie). And a player who scores a 6 would earn 0 points, since that score is worse than a bogey.
The winner of the round is the player with the most points at the end of the round. This system rewards players who are able to maintain consistency and avoid big mistakes, and it allows for a player to have a bad hole without severely impacting the overall score. This format is often used in club or friendly matches but it's not as common in tournament play.
Conclusion
In conclusion, golf is a sport that offers a variety of formats for players to enjoy. Captain's Choice, stroke play, best ball, and alternate shot are three of the most popular formats for playing the game. Stroke play is the traditional format in which each player competes against the course and the lowest score wins. Best ball is a fun and social format that allows players of all skill levels to compete together. Alternate shot, also known as foursomes, requires players to work together and strategize as a team.
Each format offers a unique set of challenges and rewards, making golf a versatile and enjoyable sport for all. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there's a golf format that's perfect for you.
Each format offers a unique set of challenges and rewards, making golf a versatile and enjoyable sport for all. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there's a golf format that's perfect for you.