Friendly "competition" ideas for 4 buddies golf trip

[Naptime]

Planning on 4 rounds over 3 days.  Have known each other for decades and have golfed together off and on for same time.  

 

I am the only one with a GHIN handicap so we can't just use handicaps.  I would like to be able to keep my own score at least a few times to expand the range of courses/rounds in my GHIN.  We will be traveling to an area in the midwest we have not played before.

 

Skill wise, 2 of us are basically 90s golfers, one would shoot 120 without frequent Mulligans, one is probably around 105 but rarely plays.  Trying to not let anyone feel too bad after a round.

 

Usually we just pair up for rotating 2v2 scrambles.  Scores for 18 range from 71 - high 80s depending on the pairing.  Match and stroke play simultaneously just to have more "betting" options. But AFAIK I would not have a postable score that way.

 

The only thing that comes to mind is modification of Ryder Cup style 4 ball (low score = team score for hole, but I would have to putt out even if we are out of the hole).  We would rotate pairings.

 

Any other ideas?

[Hawkeye77]

Just assign handicaps (you’ll get them close enough). 2 rounds of 4 ball and you’ve got a couple of postable scores  if that’s really of concern. Switch up the groups for that. Play a round of no handicap foursomes (maybe just have both tee off on each hole, pick one and alternate from there). Play a 2x2 no handicap scramble round.  Assign individual points from each match like RC and winner buys dinner, lol. Plenty of room for whatever side games you want. Everyone gets to play with each other at least once if you rotate. 

[ArtMBgolf]

I think on a golf trip, a scramble is only good if it's a replay.   
  
You can assign handicaps and play best ball of partners, net or match.  
Stapleford is good for a wide range of handicaps and allows picking up
when no longer able to earn points on a hole.     

[Augster]

You can post scores when playing both match and medal at the same time. No worries there. 

[MarcellusW]

Skins with handicaps works well and gives the higher handicap player a chance.  Yes, you will have to negotiate handicaps for those that don’t have one.

 

I also like greenies on the par 3s and long drive in the fairway on par 5s.  The better players have an advantage but with carryovers it can even out somewhat.

 

When you go to matches, the 1st and 4th best players have an advantage over 2 and 3.  To even it out somewhat, play total team score to win the hole.  It makes that putt for 7 mean something.  On a 2 man scramble, requiring at least one shot per hole from each player keeps the best golfer from dominating.

[larrybud]

Callaway (or sometimes spelled Calloway) handicap system. Take a look at the online tools I have, there's a free spreadsheet for that:

 

https://www.golfleaguetracker.com/glthome/tools

 

Essentially the handicap is calculated based on the "best" holes for the round, with some configurable options. Favors a more consistent player.

 

You could also do some sort of running match. Let's say 2 v 2 best ball. You start off no handicaps. If a team wins a hole, the players on the other team get a stroke on the next hole. They keep that stroke until they win a hole, then the other team would get a stroke on the following hole(s).

 

 

[Abh159]

For that level of players/skill, I'd go with something that allows a person to pick up if they are out of the hole. That will help you with pace of play and keep the morale from getting low. No one wants to be grinding over a putt for a 10 or 11 on a hole...

 

Stableford is a good option since it allows you to pick up if you aren't making better than a double bogey on a hole. Also you can incorporate some random on course mini games like greenies, sandies, skins, closest to the hole, or etc. Maybe have $5 attached to each one. You could even get creative with some of them. A few we used to do for fun were...

 

The Monkey - player's tee shot hits a tree but he/she still to make par 

The Seve - player misses the fairway and the green on a hole but still makes par

 

Either way I think you'll need to estimate on handicaps and assign them based on your best judgement. You can always adjust those after the first round if you're way off. 

[Schulzmc]

One fun thing I have done on trips like this is “snake.”

 

You bring a rubber snake with on the trip. When the first person three putts they get the snake. After the next three putt they must remember to give the snake to the person who three putted before they tee off on the next hole. If they forget they keep it. 

 

Whoever is left holding the snake at the end of each round buys the drinks following the round that day. Or dinner that night if you are up to a little “steeper” wager.

[Naptime]

Thanks guys, we will try some of these.

[straightshot7]

guess at handicaps or pair the worst player with the best player and these are options:

 

2v2 best ball, match play

 

2v2 high-low: 2 points goes to the lowest score, 1 point goes to the best high score

e.g. if you make a 3 and I make a 4, your team wins the low (2 points). If my partner makes a 5 and your partner makes a 6, our team wins the high (1 point).

[venn]

On 4/17/2023 at 11:54 AM, Schulzmc said:

One fun thing I have done on trips like this is “snake.”

 

You bring a rubber snake with on the trip. When the first person three putts they get the snake. After the next three putt they must remember to give the snake to the person who three putted before they tee off on the next hole. If they forget they keep it. 

 

Whoever is left holding the snake at the end of each round buys the drinks following the round that day. Or dinner that night if you are up to a little “steeper” wager.

++ the snake.  we play it this way: if you have the snake when beverage cart comes buy, you pay. We never played it where after the round stuff was involved.  And it helps you to strategize on how to not three putt - ever.

Also what about Sixes?, that should even out, you all partner up with each once.

And the Wolf, would that work?

And play two or three side games per round, makes it interesting, but you will need separate scorekeepers for each side game. lots of fun, set a "debt ceiling" so no-one leaves mad.

[jgallant415]

Try Wolf

 

[Phayd]

On 4/17/2023 at 1:54 PM, Schulzmc said:

One fun thing I have done on trips like this is “snake.”

 

You bring a rubber snake with on the trip. When the first person three putts they get the snake. After the next three putt they must remember to give the snake to the person who three putted before they tee off on the next hole. If they forget they keep it. 

 

Whoever is left holding the snake at the end of each round buys the drinks following the round that day. Or dinner that night if you are up to a little “steeper” wager.

We play snakes where the first 3 putt is worth $.25 and doubles on every subsequent every 3 putt.  The money owed by whoever is holding the bag of snakes at the end is capped at $128 (10 total 3 putts) so the pot doesn’t get to the point where the money owed could jeopardize friendships or future playing partners.  11th “snake” would cost the loser $256.  Pressure gets high for everyone because you could make your only 3 putt of the round on 18 and end up holding the bag.
 

whomever makes the last 3 putt of the round is holding the bag of snakes, and divides the total dollar amount by # of playing partners.  

Only putts attempted on the green count toward a snake.  If you’re using putter from the fringe or beyond, it’s not factored in to total # of putts for the game.

 

fun side game that  results in everybody making lots of hissing and rattlesnake sounds all day and doesn’t require an advanced degree in score keeping.

 

 

[MattC555]

I run an 8 person trip every year with the same types of players.  Most do not have handicaps, and the spread is from me at around a 2 to guys who are hoping and praying to stay below 100.  I make 4 captains before the trip.  Every morning the worst captain score of the day picks their partner first, best picks last.  Game is typically 4 ball match play.  Non captains get a stroke on par 3's.  Afternoon rounds are typically scrambles with teams set up based on score - worst with first, etc.  Points are awarded based on finishing place.  Winners are paid out at the end of the trip.  I also do a birdie pool.  You pay some amount, say $5, for every birdie you make.  The last person to make a birdie on the trip gets the pot.  The better players have a greater chance of winning this pool, but they also pay into it more often.  Makes for a fun last day.  

 

I've also modified this to where the afternoon scrambles are better players paired and the worst four playing a scramble.  We will also mix tees to even the playing field as needed.  Whites for the hackers and blacks for the captains.  None of it is taken too seriously, and the intent is to remove any skill based advantage.  I played the best on our last trip and finished second from last.  hahaha

[Long_Left]

Annual foursome here, our skill gap isn't as wide as yours but when we play practice rounds or rounds not counting towards our annual trophy we will rotate partners every 6 holes. So everyone is teamed with everyone over the course of 18 holes. Lots of format options from there but combined total score (with a reasonable maximum) would allow you to play your own ball and post. 

 

I do think that an educated guess at an index is the better method for you though, I can't speak for your partner's personalities but in games with friends who don't have hcps I'll ask them what score do they expect to shoot and what score would they be happy about shooting and put them in between those numbers. "I'd expect to shoot 95ish, I'd be stoked to shoot 88." Ok, you're playing off 20. Unless you play with blatant liars it'll be close enough to have a little on the line and shouldn't get out of hand.