Page type: Format comparison (two named formats)
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When each fits
Choose greensomes when four players want a pair-based contest with both partners teeing off, one ball selected, and alternate shots thereafter. Choose match play when two opponents want each hole decided directly, using individual handicaps, concessions and a result that ends when one player leads by more holes than remain.
greensomes in brief
A pair chooses one of two tee shots, then plays that ball in alternate shots.
match play in brief
Players win individual holes; the match goes to whoever is ahead when the result is decided.
Table
| Comparison | greensomes | match play |
|---|---|---|
| One line | A pair chooses one of two tee shots, then plays that ball in alternate shots. | Players win individual holes; the match goes to whoever is ahead when the result is decided. |
| Players | Minimum 2 players as one pair; ideal 4 players as two pairs in head-to-head match play or a two-pair stroke-play field. Larger fields can run multiple pairs under the Committee's terms. | Minimum 2 for an individual head-to-head; ideal 2, or a larger individual field arranged as separate matches. It is not one shared score against the whole field. |
| Scoring unit | Strokes per hole, normally totalled as gross or net stroke play; the same pair-versus-pair structure can be used for match play if the competition terms say so. | holes |
| Handicap method | For a team handicap, apply the recommended WHS allowance of 60% of the lower player's unrounded Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher player's unrounded Course Handicap, then follow the applicable Playing Handicap and competition terms. In match play, the lowest team Playing Handicap generally plays off zero and the other team receives the difference, but the Committee sets the allowance and terms. | For individual match play, the recommended WHS allowance is 100%. Apply it to each player's unrounded Course Handicap to calculate the Playing Handicap. The player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays from zero; each other player receives the difference from that lowest Playing Handicap, with strokes allocated by hole as specified by the Committee or Terms of Competition. |
| Money settles how | Only by prior agreement: settle a match stake at the end of the match, or settle a stroke-play pool after the final net scores. Greensomes itself does not prescribe money, stakes, or a payout method. | Match play has no automatic money settlement. If players agree a stake beforehand, it can settle as one amount for the match; any per-hole side bet or carry-over is a house rule that should be written down before starting. |
| Pace | Usually slower than ordinary four-ball stroke play because each hole starts with two tee shots and the chosen ball is then played alternately; this is an editorial tendency, not a measured timing claim. | Often faster than stroke play, because the match ends once one player leads by more holes than remain and concessions can shorten holes; it can be the same or slower when matches are close, contested or extended. |
| Best for | Pairs who want shared decisions and alternate-shot pressure while keeping both players involved from every tee. It suits a four-player head-to-head match or a small pairs competition with clear Committee terms. | Two players who want every hole to matter, a direct contest between unequally skilled golfers using handicaps, or a club knockout with clearly stated Terms of Competition. |
| Weakness | A poor tee-shot choice can leave the partner an awkward second shot, and alternate play means one mistake can affect the whole pair. Minimum tee-shot quotas, tie procedures, and whether the event is stroke play or match play must be settled in advance. | A player can be eliminated before 18 holes, and a disputed handicap, concession or house-money rule can create friction unless the terms are agreed first. |
Worked example
Illustrative inputs and selected terms, not historical results. Alex and Ben both tee off, select Alex's drive, and Ben plays the second shot before alternate play finishes in 4. Chris and Dana finish in 5, so the first side wins this defined scratch hole. In a scratch singles hole, Alex scores 4 and Ben 5, so Alex wins that hole under Rule 3.2.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf Rules 3.1a, 3.2a and 3.2b; WHS Rules of Handicapping Appendix C and applicable Committee Terms of Competition
Sources: www.usga.org , www.usga.org , www.randa.org , englandigolf.co.uk , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
How do greensomes and match play score differently?
For greensomes: Strokes per hole, normally totalled as gross or net stroke play; the same pair-versus-pair structure can be used for match play if the competition terms say so. For match play: holes
How do handicaps apply in greensomes vs match play?
greensomes: For a team handicap, apply the recommended WHS allowance of 60% of the lower player's unrounded Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher player's unrounded Course Handicap, then follow the applicable Playing Handicap and competition terms. In match play, the lowest team Playing Handicap generally plays off zero and the other team receives the difference, but the Committee sets the allowance and terms. match play: For individual match play, the recommended WHS allowance is 100%. Apply it to each player's unrounded Course Handicap to calculate the Playing Handicap. The player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays from zero; each other player receives the difference from that lowest Playing Handicap, with strokes allocated by hole as specified by the Committee or Terms of Competition.
When should I choose greensomes instead of match play?
Choose greensomes when four players want a pair-based contest with both partners teeing off, one ball selected, and alternate shots thereafter. Choose match play when two opponents want each hole decided directly, using individual handicaps, concessions and a result that ends when one player leads by more holes than remain.