Group-size format
The 16 Man Golf Trip Format (8v8 Schedules for Four Groups)
Sixteen gives you four foursomes and two teams of eight. An 8v8 Ryder Cup works well if the crew wants a team competition: partner matches early, then eight separate singles matches on the last day. Choose three or four rounds to fit the time and budget you actually have.
How 8v8 breaks down
Eight per side gives you four 2v2 matches in a partner round. Singles gives you eight separate matches, with one player from each team in each match. Both fit four foursomes; each group contains two matches on singles day.
The 4-round schedule
Use this if you have four rounds booked. The three-round alternative is below the table.
| Round | Format | Matches | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Four-ball (best ball) | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Foursomes (alternate shot) | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | Four-ball or shamble | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Singles match play | 8 | 8 |
Total 20 points, first to 10½. For a three-round trip, drop the second four-ball: four-ball, foursomes, singles is 16 points, first to 8½.
Rotating the matchups
With four matches per team session, you decide which pairs face which. Mix it up round to round so guys are not playing the same opponents all week. A simple way: have the captains set their four pairings each morning without seeing the other side's, then match them up in order. It keeps a little mystery in who you will draw.
A pairing example
Replace the labels with names. Round 1 uses four-ball for everyone; round 2 uses alternate shot for everyone. Every player appears once in each round and changes partner.
| Round | Four partner matches |
|---|---|
| 1 | A1+A2 vs B1+B2; A3+A4 vs B3+B4; A5+A6 vs B5+B6; A7+A8 vs B7+B8 |
| 2 | A1+A3 vs B5+B7; A2+A4 vs B6+B8; A5+A7 vs B1+B3; A6+A8 vs B2+B4 |
Keeping pace under control
Book four tee times at the intervals the course sets. Keep each 2v2 match together in one group. A split-tee or shotgun start requires the course’s approval and a plan for how the groups fit its tee sheet; do not assume either is available.
Handicaps for a bigger field
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.
One scoreboard for sixteen
Four groups can finish holes at very different times. Ask each match to post scores regularly so the running standings stay useful. Stymie gives all sixteen players and spectators the same cup scoreboard to follow.
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.
Rules references
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