Golf Competition Ideas for Four Players
Four golfers is the perfect number for a golf competition.
Whether you're playing your weekly fourball, organising a golf trip or simply looking to make your regular game more competitive, there are plenty of exciting formats that keep everyone involved.
Here are some of the best golf competition ideas for four players.
1. Stableford
Best for: Weekly golf groups
Every player competes individually, earning points based on their score relative to par.
Stableford is ideal because:
Everyone can still score after a bad hole.
Handicaps keep the competition fair.
Easy to follow throughout the round.
2. Stroke Play
Best for: Medal competitions
The traditional format.
Every stroke counts.
Perfect if your group enjoys serious competitive golf and wants an overall winner.
3. Match Play
Best for: Head-to-head rivalries
Split into two teams:
Player A vs Player B
Player C vs Player D
Each hole is won individually rather than counting total strokes.
Great for close, exciting matches.
4. Texas Scramble
Best for: Golf holidays
All four golfers tee off.
The team chooses the best drive before everyone plays from that position.
Repeat until the ball is holed.
Perfect for mixed ability groups because everyone contributes.
5. Better Ball
Play in pairs.
Each golfer plays their own ball.
Only the best score from each team counts on every hole.
A brilliant format for friendly competition.
6. Nearest the Pin
One prize.
One hole.
Everyone loves it.
Usually played on the par 3s.
7. Longest Drive
Choose one fairway.
Longest drive that finishes on the fairway wins.
Simple but always competitive.
8. Birdie Challenge
Award points every time someone makes a birdie.
At the end of the round, the player with the most birdies wins.
9. Putting Competition
Count total putts over 18 holes.
Lowest number wins.
Ideal as a side competition.
10. Order of Merit
If your fourball plays regularly throughout the year, create an Order of Merit.
Award points after every round:
1st – 10 points
2nd – 7 points
3rd – 5 points
4th – 3 points
The season champion is crowned after the final event.
Best Combination for a Golf Weekend
Day 1
Stableford
Day 2
Stroke Play
Day 3
Texas Scramble
Side Games
Nearest the Pin
Longest Drive
Birdies
Lowest Putts
This gives everyone multiple chances to win something.
Stop Using Spreadsheets
Many golf groups still rely on WhatsApp messages, paper scorecards and spreadsheets to organise competitions.
TrackPar makes everything automatic.
You can:
Create a private golf Circle.
Invite players with one share link.
Create multiple competitions.
Add side games.
Track handicaps automatically.
View live leaderboards.
Keep every golf trip or weekly fourball organised in one place.
Whether it's your regular Saturday fourball or an annual golf holiday, TrackPar makes organising golf competitions effortless.
Create your free TrackPar Circle today and run your next golf competition the easy way.