One of the simplest ways to elevate a golf getaway, besides choosing great courses, is picking fun golf game formats for your group. Whether you’ve got a crew of low-handicap grinders, mid-handicap regulars, or a mix of new and seasoned players, the games you choose can set the tone for the entire trip.
At Fairway Golf Getaways, we’ve played and tested just about every group-friendly format out there. The list below includes our recommended games for golf groups. Unless noted, each format works with or without handicaps (team formats may use modified team handicaps). What matters most is that the game fits your group’s style: casual, competitive, chaotic, or all of the above.
Consider this your go-to guide for injecting the right amount of strategy, camaraderie, and pressure into every round of your trip.
Be sure to check out our Handicap and Handicap Index Guide to help you think about your pairings and game format options for your next trip.
Why Your Group’s Game Format Matters
Playing a simple individual stroke-play format can be fun for some groups; but changing formats can add a little excitement for many. Think of game formats the same way you think of course selection or tee-time pacing: they shape the round.
- With a mixed-skill group, formats that blend scores or use fair handicap adjustments keep everyone engaged.
- For competitive players, strategy-heavy formats—Wolf, Match Play, or ChaChaCha—create fun pressure moments.
- If your goal is pure laughs and low-stress golf, games like Scramble or Bingo Bango Bongo are nearly foolproof.
The point isn’t to make the trip feel like a tournament. It’s to add structure, stakes, and storytelling—the kind of moments you’ll be talking about on the patio after the round.
Fairway Golf Getaways’ Recommended Group Golf Formats
Below is our curated list of group-friendly golf formats, complete with descriptions, when to use them, and why they work.
1. Scramble
Best for: mixed-skill groups, casual rounds, opening-day warmups
Handicaps: optional; team handicap adjustments
Scramble is the gold standard for group golf. Everyone tees off, the group pick the best ball, and everyone plays their next from that spot. Rinse and repeat until the ball is in the hole.
Why it works:
- Keeps pace moving.
- Levels the playing field tremendously.
- Produces birdie opportunities for everyone.
Pro tip:
Use 10%–25% of combined team handicaps for fairness when skill levels vary significantly.
2. Shamble
Best for: groups who like Scramble but want more individual accountability
Handicaps: optional; 80% individual handicaps are common
A Shamble is like a Scramble on the tee box only. Everyone hits their drive, the team picks the best drive, and then each golfer plays their own ball into the hole.
Why it works:
- You still get the fun of a team drive.
- You keep individual performances intact.
It’s perfect for strong players who want some challenge and newer players who need help off the tee.
3. Alternate Shot
Best for: pairs who enjoy strategy, patience, and pressure
Handicaps: allowed; pair handicaps typically 50/50 split
Alternate Shot—also known as Foursomes—is one of golf’s purest formats. Two players share one ball, alternating shots until the hole is complete. Players alternate on tee shots, regardless of who finishes the previous hole.
Why it works:
- Forces teamwork and strategy.
- Creates memorable pressure moments.
It can get tense. In a fun way. Maybe.
4. Wolf
Best for: competitive groups, mid- to low-handicap players
Handicaps: optional, but not recommended
Wolf is a rotating points-based game where one player—the Wolf—decides whether to pick a partner after seeing their drives or go solo against the group. The trick, the Wolf must select a partner after their shot – they do not see all tee shots and then pick a partner.
Why it works:
- Strategic decisions every hole.
- Big swings in scoring.
- Fun pressure moments when someone “goes Lone Wolf.”
This is ideal for a group that chirps each other a lot.
5. Bingo Bango Bongo (No Handicaps)
Best for: casual groups, mixed abilities, low-stress fun
Handicaps: not used
Players need to play in proper order (farthest from pin plays first). Points are awarded for three things:
- Bingo: first player to get their ball on the green
- Bango: player closest to the hole once all balls are on the green
- Bongo: first to hole out
Why it works:
It rewards precision and situational play more than raw scoring. Perfect for groups with wide skill gaps.
6. Nassau
Best for: competitive groups who enjoy match-style scoring
Handicaps: optional
Nassau divides the round into three bets:
- Front 9
- Back 9
- Total 18
Each segment is its own match, whether it’s stroke play, match play, skins, or with/without handicaps.
Why it works:
- Keeps players in the game even after a bad stretch.
- Creates multiple “mini battles” within one round.
7. Best Ball
Best for: foursomes or twosomes who want competitive scoring with individual play
Handicaps: optional; typically, 75–90% individual
Each golfer plays their own ball, and the team’s score on each hole is the best score among teammates.
Why it works:
- Lets better players shine without punishing higher-handicap teammates.
- Smooth blend of solo and team golf.
8. Modified Best Ball
Best for: foursomes or twosomes who want a variation to their gameplay
Handicaps: optional; typically, 75–90% individual
Each golfer plays their own ball, and the team’s score on each hole is the best score among teammates. Select certain holes such as par 3s and/or par 5s where multiple scores count
Why it works:
- Lets better players shine without while allowing variability with additional scores.
- Allows higher handicap players to contribute to team result.
9. ChaChaCha
Best for: fun-loving groups, mid- to large-size groups
Handicaps: optional
ChaChaCha rotates how many scores count each hole:
- Hole 1: one best ball
- Hole 2: two best balls
- Hole 3: three best ball
- Hole 4: all four balls, or revert to one ball and repeat sequence
Why it works:
- Keeps the scoring lively and unpredictable.
- Teams strategize differently each hole.
This format is fantastic on the middle day of a golf trip when energy is high.
10. Match Play
Best for: competitive players, groups wanting head-to-head wins
Handicaps: optional
Match Play is straightforward: winning a hole earns a point; tying a hole in this version earns ½ point for each side. Can be combined with other formats like best ball, scramble, an shamble.
Why it works:
- Every hole feels meaningful.
- Blowup holes don’t ruin your round.
- Naturally creates tension and momentum shifts.
Pair up players with similar handicaps for the best experience.
11. Skins
Best for: competitive groups, mid-handicap and up
Handicaps: recommended if skills vary
Each hole is worth a “skin.” A skin is won outright only when one player has the lowest unique score on a hole. If two or more tie for low score, it carries over to the next hole.
Why it works:
- Can lead to massive multi-hole skin wins.
- Keeps interest high even if a player starts slow.
This format works exceptionally well on scenic, varied courses—think mountain layouts or risk-reward desert tracks.
12. Stableford
Best for: mixed-skill groups, pace-conscious rounds
Handicaps: yes; often essential
Instead of counting strokes, Stableford awards points for performance relative to par. A common modified scoring looks like:
- Net Double Bogey or worse: 0 points
- Net Bogey: 1 point
- Net Par: 2 points
- Net Birdie: 3 points
- Net Eagle: 4 points
- Net Albatross: 5 points
Why it works:
- Rewards aggressive play.
- Limits damage on bad holes.
- Levels the field for all handicaps.
Great for trips featuring tough courses where bogeys can pile up fast.
13. Golf Poker
Best for: medium-to-large groups, social players
Handicaps: recommended
In Golf Poker, players earn cards for certain achievements—fairways hit, GIRs, up-and-downs, net birdies, etc. At the end of the round, each player builds their best 5-card poker hand. Best 5-card hand wins.
Why it works:
- Encourages celebrating small victories.
- Gives everyone something to root for regardless of total score.
- Adds a casino-like twist that groups love on destination trips.
This is a great evening-round format, especially paired with an on-site bar or terrace.
For more details on our recommended game formats, and to see additional options available, take a look at Brittany Olizarowicz’s article on the Golf Cart Report or Kyle Moss’ blog on Golf Now.
How to Choose the Right Format for Your Group
Selecting a format isn’t just about the game—it’s about matching the personality of your group and the flow of the trip. Here’s a quick guide:
If you want low-stress fun:
- Scramble
- Bingo Bango Bongo
- Golf Poker
If your group is competitive:
- Match Play
- Wolf
- Skins
If your group varies in skill level:
- Stableford
- Shamble
- Best Ball
If you want team-driven strategy:
- Alternate Shot
- ChaChaCha
- Modified Best Ball
And remember—don’t run the same format every round. Mix in something simple on travel days and something more tactical on marquee course days.
Tips for Handling Handicaps in Group Formats
Handicaps don’t need to be complicated. Here’s the Fairway Golf Getaways approach:
- Individual formats: use 80–90% of course handicap
- Teams of two: combine handicaps, then apply 50% for each player
- Scramble: use 10–25% of total team handicaps
- Stableford: 90-100% of course handicaps for fairness
- Poker: adjust card rewards for different skill levels
Most importantly: agree on the method before teeing off.
Conclusion: Add the Right Format, and the Trip Comes Alive
Choosing the right game format can turn an ordinary round into a memorable chapter of your trip. Whether you’re chasing bragging rights, creating friendly pressure, or just making sure everyone has fun, these formats give structure and excitement to every hole.
At the end of the day, the best golf trips aren’t about perfect scores—they’re about stories, shared moments, and the little competitions that bring your group together. With this list in hand, you’re ready to build a trip your group will be talking about long after the final putt drops.