Group-size format
The 12 Man Golf Trip Format (6v6 Schedules and Point Math)
Twelve is the best number there is for a golf trip. It splits into two teams of six, three foursomes per round, and a points total that lands clean. The format to run is a 6v6 Ryder Cup: two captains, drafted teams, team matches early in the week, and singles on the final day with the cup on the line.
Why 6v6 works so well at twelve
Six per side gives you three 2v2 matches in a partner round and six matches in singles. There are three points available in a partner round and six in singles; tied matches award half a point to each side. Both formats fit three foursomes, with two separate matches in each group on singles day.
The 3-round schedule
Best for a Friday-to-Sunday trip. Team sessions first, singles last, so the most points are still live on the final day.
| Round | Format | Matches | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Four-ball (best ball) | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | Shamble or alternate shot | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Singles match play | 6 | 6 |
Total 12 points. First to 6½ wins. A 6-6 finish needs the cup tie rule agreed before the trip.
The 4-round schedule
Best for a Thursday-to-Sunday trip. Same shape, one extra team session before singles.
| Round | Format | Matches | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Four-ball | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | Foursomes (alternate shot) | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Four-ball or shamble | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Singles match play | 6 | 6 |
Total 15 points. First to eight wins. If you substitute a 2v2 scramble round, use it for all three groups and keep one point available per match.
Copy the pairings for three rounds
Label the teams A and B, then replace the numbers with names. Round 1 is four-ball, round 2 is alternate shot for every group, and round 3 is singles. Each player has a different partner in the second round. Each singles foursome contains two separate matches.
| Round | Tee-time group | Players |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | A1 + A2 vs B1 + B2 |
| 1 | 2 | A3 + A4 vs B3 + B4 |
| 1 | 3 | A5 + A6 vs B5 + B6 |
| 2 | 1 | A1 + A3 vs B1 + B3 |
| 2 | 2 | A2 + A5 vs B2 + B5 |
| 2 | 3 | A4 + A6 vs B4 + B6 |
| 3 | 1 | A1 vs B1; A2 vs B2 |
| 3 | 2 | A3 vs B3; A4 vs B4 |
| 3 | 3 | A5 vs B5; A6 vs B6 |
The formats in this schedule
- Four-ball (best ball): each player plays his own ball and the team takes the lower score. Lead with this when handicaps vary.
- Foursomes (alternate shot): partners share one ball and alternate strokes. One tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes, regardless of who holed the previous putt.
- Shamble: everyone tees off, the team picks the best drive, then each finishes his own ball. A friendly middle ground.
- Singles match play: one against one, hole by hole. Play six singles matches in three foursomes, with two matches in each group. Use the tee times agreed with the course.
Handicapped or not
Agree on handicaps before the trip. USGA recommendations are 100% for singles match play and 90% for four-ball match play. In four-ball match play, use the lowest Course Handicap as the baseline and apply 90% to each difference, rounding at the end. Write the policy on the rules sheet and check that your scoring setup uses it. Stymie currently uses an 85% allowance for its best-ball match setting, so do not assume it matches that 90% recommendation.
Drafting the teams
Pick two captains and draft before the first round. A snake order goes A, B, B, A, A, B and continues that pattern, with captains already accounted for on their sides. Compare the finished teams’ handicaps and likely pairings before locking them in. A snake draft spreads the early picks around, but does not guarantee balanced teams.
Keeping twelve guys on the same page
Twelve players means twelve people asking for the tee times, opponents, and cup score. Share the schedule and pairings before the first round. Stymie keeps the match results and running standings beside that plan, so you have one place to point the crew.
Decide a tied cup before the first tee
Decide before the trip whether a tied cup is shared, retained by the defending team, or settled by a playoff if the course allows one. Write down who plays and how the playoff works.
Your rules sheet
- Tee times and courses: ___.
- Team A: ___; Team B: ___.
- Tees, Course Handicaps and allowance for each format: ___.
- Each match: one point for a win, half each for a tie.
- Cup tie rule and weather plan: ___.
- Share any agreed concession policy before play. A match-play concession is final once made.
Rules references
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