The Oak Grove Golf Group

Tournament Formats:  Every sport seems to have a variety of "mini games" associated with them, and golf has more than all the other sports combined. This section will provide some information on the tournament formats used in Oak Grove Golf Group.

​

Four Man, BEST 2 BALLs Net: Each player on the team plays their individual ball throughout the round. The 2 best individual scores made on the hole are posted as the team's score.

 

LONE RANGER: This game requires 3-4 players per team, minimum of two teams, to play in a best ball format. Each player plays their own ball with the twist being that each player takes turns (in a predetermined rotational order) being the 'Lone Ranger' for the hole. Two scores are recorded for the team; the Lone Ranger's score as well as the best ball score from the other teammates. The Lone Ranger rotation would work as follows: Player A is the Lone Ranger for holes 1, 5, 9, 13, and 17; Player B for holes 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, etc. It is a great game that puts some pressure on individual players and the format can be mixed in with a Las Vegas or Chicago scoring style for an added twist.

 

3-2-1 Net Best Ball: Each golfer hits his own ball throughout the round. We track (for handicap purposes) all gross scores as if it was medal play. Play (per USGA rules): Be sure to enter all gross scores as you normally do. On a par 3 hole, the best 3 net scores are added together for the team score.On a par 4 hole, the best 2 net scores are added together for the team score.On a par 5 hole, the best net score is the team score for that hole.

 

Net Cha Cha Cha: Each golfer hits his own ball throughout the round. We track (for handicap purposes) all gross scores as if it was medal play. Play (per USGA rules): Be sure to enter all gross scores as you normally do. On the first hole, the best net score counts as the team score.On the second hole, the 2 best net scores are combined for the team score.On the third hole, the 3 best net scores are combined for the team score.The rotation starts over on the fourth hole.

 

MODIFIED STABLEFORD: Most well known as the format used in the PGA Tour event held at Castle Pines Golf Club near Denver, The International, a Modified Stableford awards extra value to strokes under par: -3 points for Double Bogey or worse-1 point for Bogey0 points for Par2 points for Birdie5 points for Eagle8 points for Albatross Handicaps can be employed into the system by grouping similar handicapped players together and modifying the scoring chart for each group to reflect the skill level according.

 

SCRAMBLE: In a scramble all the players on the team tee off. The team selects the best shot and the other players pick up their balls and everyone on the team plays within one club length (no closer to the hole) of the best tee shot. After everyone hits their second shot, the best shot is again selected from which point everyone again plays within one club length (no closer to the hole) from the best spot. This is repeated until the ball is holed.

 

STABLEFORD: Not quite as popular as the Modified Stableford format, Stablefords encourage players to accumulate points using the following scoring format: 0 points for Double Bogey or worse1 point for Bogey2 points for Par3 points for Birdie4 points for Eagle5 points for Albatross This format can be taken a step further by incorporating the handicap system. If a 24 handicap player were participating, they would be given 24 strokes during the round - one stroke on each of the 18 holes and two stokes on the six most difficult rated holes on the course (holes with a handicap rating of 1-6). A 10 handicap player would receive strokes on the ten most difficult holes (holes handicap rated 1-10) and no extra stokes on the other eight holes. The net score when then be applied to the scoring system above.

 

Ambrose Competition: is another name for a scramble, but one in which a team handicap is used. All players tee off, the best shot is selected and all players hit again from that same spot. The best second shot is selected, and all players hit from that same spot, and so on until the ball is holed.If the scramble is called an "Ambrose," it means that handicaps are used in play, with a fraction of the total handicaps of the group members serving as one handicap for the group.For example, if it's a 2-person scramble, the handicaps of the two players are added together and divided by 4. For a 3-person scramble, divide by 6; for a 4-person scramble, divide by 8.The Ambrose format is very popular as it allows all standards of golfers to mix and play together with equal enjoyment irrespective of ability. It also helps to promote teamwork as one score is recorded per hole and generally minimises the amount of time looking for lost balls.The Ambrose format may vary according to the competition but a general, popular format is the main features of this method of scoring.

 

Example

 

Groups of two players (2 person ambrose) or four players (4 person ambrose) work as a team. Each player hits off the tee, the best shot is selected and all other players pick up their ball and place it, within one handspan, alongside the best ball. Each person then hits a second shot from the same spot. The best shot is again selected. This continues until the ball is in the hole. On the putting green the best ball is marked and the other balls are played from this position.

 

One score is thus recorded on each hole. This is the sum of the best shots used throughout the hole.

 

In an ambrose format you would expect your gross score to be under or very close to the par of the course. This is because the best shot from the team is chosen for each shot. In other words your group has four chances to hit a good shot. It certainly takes the pressure off the less skilled golfers and is a good team building format.

 

There is often one additional requirement. During the course of the round all player's drives must be used on a set number of occasions.Generally this is three. So if you have a beginner golfer in your group it may be prudent to use their drives early in the round so as to not put pressure on them as the rounds concludes.

​

Key Features of Ambrose 

​

•  The minimum number of drives per player may vary according to the specific format you are playing. A minimum of 3 drives is common and fair without being too onerous. If the golfers in your competition are more beginner than intermediate a relaxing of this rule to 2 drives (or even 1) may be appropriate

• If your best ball is played from within a hazard then each of the player's balls must be played from within that hazard

• If you are in a team of 3 players (for 4 person ambrose) then most formats will allow a fourth putt to be taken by any of the team members

• Your end score is adjusted for the handicap of the players in your team

• If you are in a team of 4 golfers (playing 4 person ambrose) then the combined handicap of all players is calculated and divided by 8 to arrive at the team handicap. This is then subtracted from the Gross Score of the Team to arrive at the Net Score

• If you are in a team of 3 golfers (playing 4 person ambrose) then the combined handicap of all players is calculated and divided by 6 to arrive at the team handicap. This is then subtracted from the Gross Score of the Team to arrive at the Net Score

• If you are in a team of 2 golfers (playing 2 person ambrose) then the handicap of the team is calculated by combining the handicaps of the 2 players and dividing by 4 to arrive at the team handicap. This is then subtracted from the Gross Score of the Team to arrive at the Net Score

• A typical winning score is in the mid 50s as a Net Score. It is rare (but possible) that a winning score is under 50