Rules

Scoring

Each match is worth one point, with matches ending in a tie worth ½ point to each side. The first team to reach 14 points wins the BFBH Cup. If the matches end in a 13.5-13.5 tie, the team holding the BFBH Cup retains it.

We will rotate the carts at the turn

Side bets encouraged

Points

The two days of the matches consist of 27 total matches, each of which is worth one point. There are no extra holes in the BFBH Cup matches. Should the two sides be tied after 9 holes, each side earns a half point.

Each nine holes has two 2v2 matches, except for the last 9 holes. (Six 1v1 matches)

Concession

Unlike stroke play, players don't have to complete each hole in match play. If a player concedes a stroke – almost always a putt – to his opponent, the opponent picks up his ball, takes the score he would have made on the next stroke and moves on to the next hole.

Game Formats

1 Best Ball/Four-Ball

In 1 best ball/four-ball, each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Handicap allowance is 90%

2 Best Ball/Four-Ball Total

In 2 best ball/four-ball, each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the total of its two scores on each hole, and the team with lowest total score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Handicap allowance is 90%

Scramble

A scramble is played with two, three or four-person teams. Each player plays from the teeing area on each hole, one of the tee shots is selected and all the players play their second shots from that spot. One of the second shots is then selected, and all players play their third shots from that spot, and so on until the ball is holed.

Handicap allowance is 35% low handicap + 15% high handicap

Alternate/Foursomes

In alternate/foursomes, each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Handicap allowance is 50% of combined team handicap

Bramble/Shamble/1 Ball Bramble

Each player plays from the teeing area on each hole, one of the tee shots is selected and all the players play their second shots from that spot. Each member of the team plays his own ball from there until each ball is holed. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Handicap allowance is 80% of combined team handicap

2 Ball Bramble/2 Ball Shamble

Each player plays from the teeing area on each hole, one of the tee shots is selected and all the players play their second shots from that spot. Each member of the team plays his own ball from there until each ball is holed. Each team counts the total of the two scores on each hole, and the team with the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Handicap allowance is 80% of combined team handicap

Bramble Alternate/Greensomes

Bramble alternate/greensomes is a variation of Foursomes where both partners play from the teeing area and one of the two tee shots is selected. The partner whose tee shot was not selected then plays the next stroke and each subsequent stroke is made in alternating order until the ball is holed. For example, if the tee shot of player A is selected at the first hole, Player B will play the next stroke, then Player A plays and so on until the ball is holed. Both players then play from the teeing area of the second hole and the process is repeated.

Handicap allowance is 60% low handicap + 40% high handicap

Pinehurst/Chapman

Pinehurst Foursomes where both players tee off, then they switch their play of golf balls, meaning Player A plays Player B’s ball, and Player B plays Player A’s ball. After the second shots, they then select which ball they will continue to play, and that ball is then played by alternate-shot until holed.

Handicap allowance is 60% low handicap + 40% high handicap

Singles

The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Handicap allowance is 100%