Best Ball
Every player plays their own ball for the entire round. On each hole, the team's score is the best N (typically 1 or 2) of the individual scores. The 'real golf' team format — no concessions, no scrambles.
- Players
- 4-player teams
- Net scoring
- Supported
How it works
The mechanics, hole by hole.
- 1Every player plays their own ball for the entire hole — drive to putt.
- 2Team's score = the best N individual scores (configurable — typically 1 or 2).
- 3Best Ball 1-of-4 means just the team's low score counts each hole; 2-of-4 means the two lowest are added.
- 4Lowest team total across 18 wins.
When to play it
Best fit.
The format for serious team competition where you want 'real golf' — no scrambles, no team conferences over short putts. Best Ball 1-of-2 is the Ryder Cup foursomes alternative; 2-of-4 is the standard member-guest format. Rewards depth — a team of four solid players beats one star and three blowups.
Worked example
3 holes, with the math shown.
| Player | H1 (par 4) | H2 (par 5) | H3 (par 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Tom | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Austin | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Luke | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Team (Best 1 of 4) | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Each player's contributing balls are highlighted. The team's 3-hole total is 11. Across 18 holes, that's the team's leaderboard score.
Other team formats
You might also like…
Scramble
Everyone tees off, take the best ball, all play that one in. Best 1 of N per hole.
Shamble
Best drive picked, then each plays their own ball in. Best 2 of N count.
Ball
Capped Best Ball — short-handed teams still score on every hole.
Chapman / Pinehurst
2-player alternate-shot variant. Both drive, swap, then alternate to the hole.
6-6-6 (Sixes)
18 holes split into three 6-hole segments, each a different format.
Run your Best Ball event with us.
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