GolfHandicapp runs the classic team games where a side shares one ball: foursomes, greensomes, gruesomes, Chapman, Texas scramble and ambrose. This guide explains each one and how the app sets it up and scores it.
They are all set up the same way, on the Teams and Matches screen you already use for Match Play. And none of them post to your WHS handicap, because they are team games played off a shared ball, not an individual round.
Foursomes
Two players share one ball and take turns hitting it, including the tee. One partner drives the odd holes, the other drives the even holes, and they alternate every shot in between. It is fast and nervy, because every shot you leave your partner is a shot they have to play. The pair plays off 50% of their two handicaps combined.
Greensomes
Both partners drive, you pick the better of the two balls, and from there you alternate shots to the hole. It takes the pressure off the tee: you only need one good drive to get the pair going. The team plays off 60% of the lower handicap plus 40% of the higher.
Gruesomes
Also called bloodsomes. It is greensomes with a twist: both partners drive, but the other team chooses which of your two balls you must play. Hit one great drive and one wild one, and you can guess which you will be handed. Same 60/40 team handicap as greensomes.
Chapman
Also called Pinehurst. Both partners drive, then you swap balls and each of you plays your partner's drive for the second shot. You pick the better of those two second shots, and alternate to the hole from there. Everyone hits a drive and a second shot, so it tests both players. Also 60/40.
Texas scramble
Everyone on the team tees off, the team picks the best ball, and all players then hit their next shot from that spot, repeating all the way to the hole. It is forgiving and sociable, which makes it ideal for mixed abilities. Societies usually add a rule that a minimum number of each player's drives must be used across the round, so nobody just carries the bag.
Ambrose
A scramble played off a combined team handicap, the handicapped version of the same everyone-hits-from-the-best-ball idea. The team allowance keeps a big, mixed field competitive.
How the app scores them
- Set-up is the same team flow as the Cup: pick the format, split players into two named sides, and build the matches on the Teams and Matches screen.
- One card per side. A side shares one ball, so you choose which player keeps the card. It can be anyone in the group, either team, which is handy when the other side are guests.
- Scored live as match play, side against side, each side off its one combined team handicap.
- Nearest the pin and longest drive credit the whole pair, shown with both names.
- No handicap posting. None of these update your WHS handicap. Only the individual rounds you log change your index.