Not every corporate golf tournament needs to be a round of traditional stroke play.
In fact, choosing the right format can make a big difference to the whole day.
Some formats are more relaxed.
Some encourage teamwork.
Others add a little friendly competition without making everyone feel like they are playing for the championship.
That can be especially important when your group includes a mix of experienced golfers, occasional players and people who are still finding their feet on the course.
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The good news? You have plenty of options.
From scrambles and shambles to team-based formats and fun twists on traditional golf, there is a format to suit almost every corporate golf event.
Here are 10 fun corporate golf tournament formats to consider for your next golf day.
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What’s Inside This Blog Post
In this guide, we’ll look at:
- 10 fun alternatives to traditional stroke play
- How each golf format works
- Which formats work particularly well for corporate groups
- Options for mixed-ability players
- Tips for choosing the right format for your event
📌 Save this for later: If you’re planning a corporate golf day, keep this list handy when deciding how you want your tournament to be played.
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1. Scramble
The scramble is one of the easiest formats for a corporate golf day.
Everyone on the team tees off. The team then chooses the best shot. Everyone plays their next shot from that position. You keep doing this until the ball is holed.
It is simple, social and usually much less intimidating for less experienced golfers.
It also encourages plenty of teamwork. Players can help each other with club selection, strategy and those tricky shots.
Best for: Mixed-ability groups and relaxed corporate golf days.
Why we like it: Everyone contributes, and a few wayward shots are not the end of the world.
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2. Texas Scramble
Want to make a scramble a little more strategic?
Try a Texas Scramble.
It works much like a regular scramble, but with an additional rule about how many tee shots each player must contribute to the team score. The exact requirement can vary, so make sure everyone knows the rule before the first tee.
This means teams cannot simply rely on their strongest player all day.
Everyone needs to contribute.
Best for: Corporate tournaments where you want teamwork with a little more strategy.
Why we like it: It gives every player a reason to stay involved throughout the round.
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⛳ Planning a corporate golf tournament?
Keep everything organised with this handy step-by-step checklist.
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3. Best Ball
Best ball is a simple team format that works particularly well for corporate golf days.
Each player on the team plays their own ball for the entire hole. Once everyone has finished, you take the lowest score from the team as the team score for that hole.
For example, imagine a four-player team finishes a hole with scores of 4, 5, 6 and 7. The team’s score for that hole is 4.
On the next hole, perhaps another player has the lowest score. That score becomes the team’s score instead.
The important thing to remember is that everyone plays their own ball. You are not choosing one ball and all playing from the same position, as you would in a scramble.
This makes Best Ball a nice option when you want a team event but still want players to enjoy playing their own game.
Best for: Groups with mixed-to-good golfing ability who want teamwork without the scramble format.
Why we like it: Everyone plays their own ball, but a great score from one teammate can help the whole team.
Best Ball vs. Scramble
If you’re deciding between the two, the easiest way to remember it is:
Best Ball: Everyone plays their own ball → lowest score counts.
Scramble: Everyone hits → best shot is selected → everyone plays from there.
That small difference can make the two formats feel quite different on the course.
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4. Four-Ball
Four-ball is a team format where players compete in pairs. Each golfer plays their own ball, and the lower score from the pair counts for the team on each hole.
It can be played as stroke play or match play, depending on how you want to run the tournament.
For a corporate event, the team element can make the round feel more social and competitive at the same time.
Best for: Smaller teams and groups with reasonably experienced golfers.
Why we like it: You get the excitement of individual shots with the support of a teammate.
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⛳ Make scoring simple
with customisable scorecards designed for team formats like Scramble, Best Ball and Four-Ball.
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FIND YOUR TEAM-PLAY SCORECARD →
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5. Shamble
A shamble is a fun combination of a scramble and individual golf.
Everyone tees off and the team selects the best drive. From there, each player plays their own ball for the rest of the hole.
You then use a scoring method that has been decided in advance, such as the best individual score from the team.
It gives players the benefit of a good team drive without taking away the opportunity to play their own shots.
Best for: Corporate groups who want a team format but still want some individual play.
Why we like it: It offers a nice middle ground between a scramble and traditional golf.
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6. Alternate Shot
This one is a little more challenging.
Two players form a team and alternate shots throughout the hole. One player tees off and the other plays the second shot. They continue alternating until the ball is holed.
It requires communication and a bit of patience!
You can also add a fun twist by allowing teams to choose which player tees off on odd or even holes.
Best for: Smaller corporate groups and players who enjoy a little more competition.
Why we like it: It creates plenty of team strategy and some memorable moments.
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⛳ Make team and player pairings easy to organise
before everyone heads to the first tee.
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7. Chapman or Pinehurst
Chapman, sometimes called Pinehurst, is another two-person team format with an interesting twist.
Both players tee off. They then play their partner’s ball for the second shot. After that, the team chooses which ball to continue with and the players alternate shots until the hole is finished.
It sounds complicated at first.
Once you’ve played a hole or two, it becomes much easier.
Best for: Corporate groups looking for something a little different.
Why we like it: It encourages teamwork and strategy without requiring everyone to play a full individual round.
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8. Scramble With a Twist
Why not create your own version?
A standard scramble can be made much more memorable with a few simple twists.
For example, you could give teams a mulligan, add a bonus challenge on selected holes or introduce a special rule for one or two holes.
You could also create a “must use” rule where every player has to contribute a certain number of drives.
Keep the rules simple.
The goal is to add fun, not create a rules seminar before the first tee.
Best for: Corporate events where entertainment and team spirit are just as important as the competition.
Why we like it: You can tailor the format to your group and event theme.
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9. Team Match Play
If your corporate golf day has a competitive crowd, match play can be a lot of fun.
Instead of counting every shot across the entire round, players or teams compete hole by hole.
Win a hole and you are one up. Lose a hole and you are one down. Tie a hole and the score stays the same.
This can create some great drama towards the end of the round.
And because each hole is effectively its own little contest, one bad hole does not necessarily ruin your entire day.
Best for: More competitive groups and smaller corporate tournaments.
Why we like it: There is plenty of excitement, and every hole can feel like a fresh start.
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10. Fun Team Challenges
Not every corporate golf tournament needs to revolve around one formal scoring format.
You can also build your day around a team competition with additional challenges throughout the course.
Think:
- Closest to the pin
- Longest drive
- Straightest drive
- Closest to the line
- Beat the pro
- One-club challenge
- Putting challenge
- Bonus-point holes
- Team trivia
These can sit alongside your main tournament format or be used to create a more relaxed golf day.
And they are a great way to keep non-golfing guests or less experienced players engaged.
Best for: Corporate events that want a fun, social atmosphere.
Why we like it: There is something for everyone, even if tournament golf is not their favourite part of the day.
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⛳ Add a little extra competition
to the course with ready-to-use Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive signs.
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How to Choose the Right Corporate Golf Tournament Format
With so many options, how do you decide?
Start with your players.
If you have a large group with mixed golfing abilities, a scramble or Texas Scramble is usually a safe choice. It keeps the focus on teamwork and takes some of the pressure off individual performance.
If your group is more experienced, you have more flexibility. Best ball, four-ball, shamble or match play can add a little more competition.
And if your main goal is simply to get people outside, talking and having a good time, do not be afraid to keep things relaxed.
A few fun challenges can sometimes do more for the atmosphere than a complicated tournament structure.
A few things to consider
Before choosing your format, think about:
The size of your group: Some formats work better with teams of two, while others are ideal for foursomes.
Golfing ability: Mixed-ability groups generally benefit from formats where one bad shot does not have a huge impact.
The atmosphere: Are you planning a serious tournament or a fun company golf day?
Time: Some formats are more straightforward to organise and explain than others.
Scoring: Make sure the scoring system is easy for players to understand. Ideally, explain the format before the day and include the key rules on the scorecard or tournament information sheet.
Most importantly, choose a format that makes sense for your guests.
You are not trying to recreate the final round of a professional tournament.
You are creating a great day for your company, your clients or your team.
And sometimes, the simplest format is the one everyone enjoys most.
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⛳ From tournament winners to Closest to the Pin,
plan prizes and awards your guests will actually enjoy.
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Corporate Golf Tournament Formats That Are a Lot of Fun
The best corporate golf tournament format is not necessarily the most traditional one. It is the one that fits your group.
Think about your players, the atmosphere you want to create and how competitive you want the day to feel. A good format can make the golf more enjoyable, get people talking and give everyone a reason to get involved.
And that is really what a great corporate golf day is all about.
Good golf, good company and a day people actually enjoy. ⛳ 💚
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