Golf formats
Formats for your Ryder Cup tournament
CupTracker supports every classic team format. Mix and match across rounds — use Best Ball on day one, Alternate Shot on day two, and Singles on the final day, just like the real thing.
Best Ball (Four-Ball)
The most popular team format
How it works
Each player plays their own ball throughout the hole. The best score from either partner counts as the team score for that hole.
Best for
Mixed skill groups — weaker players still contribute when their partner struggles.
In a Ryder Cup event
Played in the first two sessions of the real Ryder Cup. Keeps everyone engaged on every hole.
Alternate Shot (Foursomes)
The highest-pressure team format
How it works
Two partners share one ball. They alternate hitting — one tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes, then they alternate shots until the ball is holed.
Best for
Experienced players who can handle the pressure of affecting their partner's lie.
In a Ryder Cup event
The most dramatic format in any Ryder Cup weekend. Mistakes compound and heroics are amplified.
Scramble
The most beginner-friendly format
How it works
All players hit from the tee, then everyone picks up and plays from the best shot location. Repeat until the ball is holed.
Best for
Mixed skill groups, charity events, or any round where you want everyone contributing from the start.
In a Ryder Cup event
Great for an opening round warm-up or when your group has a big skill gap between players.
Shamble
Scramble tee shot, individual scoring
How it works
Like a scramble off the tee — all players hit, everyone plays from the best drive — but then each player plays their own ball in from there.
Best for
Groups who want the fun of a scramble start but still want individual competition after the tee.
In a Ryder Cup event
A good middle ground format that keeps tee shots exciting while preserving individual scoring integrity.
Singles Match Play
Head to head, hole by hole
How it works
One player vs one player. Win a hole and you go 1-up. Lose it and your opponent goes 1-up. Match ends when one player is up by more holes than remain.
Best for
Final day drama — the most intense individual matchups in any team event.
In a Ryder Cup event
Always saved for the last day in the real Ryder Cup. 12 singles matches at once, with points still up for grabs.
Skins
Every hole has a value
How it works
Each hole is worth a set number of points (or dollars). Win the hole outright and you take the skin. If two or more players tie, the skin carries over to the next hole.
Best for
Side games running alongside any main format — keeps every hole interesting even when a match is decided.
In a Ryder Cup event
CupTracker tracks net and gross skins automatically alongside your main team scoring.
How to mix formats across a weekend
The classic Ryder Cup structure uses different formats each day so things stay fresh and the final day always feels like it matters.
Simple 2-day weekend
Classic 3-day structure
CupTracker lets you assign a different format to each round, with point values you control.
Ready to run your tournament?
CupTracker handles the scoring so you can focus on playing.
