2 vs 2 matchplay formats please?

I'm getting ready for our annual golfing trip to Scotland in 2 weeks, and was just wondering what the best format is for four players of varying handicaps (9-14-18-23)
We like 2 v 2 matchplay, but we also do individual stroke and stableford scores too

Hi Mariner,

I like Greensomes and Foursomes.

Foursomes the two of you take it in turns to drive off then play alternative shots with the same ball for the hole. Greensomes you both tee off then select the best ball and play that with alternative shots.

It is normal with Greensomes that you must choose at least six drives from each player, this stops your team using the best driver all the way round.

Handicaps 3/4 team difference.

They're good fun, but we want individual stroke scores as well so we can't use formats like that.

DOH! Didn't read that properly, sorry

OK for singles the "SKINS" game is good. Here is a description:

" Skins are what the skins game is played for. A skins game pits players in a type of match play in which each hole has a set value (usually in money or points). The player who wins the hole is said to win the "skin," and whatever that skin is worth. Skins games are often more dramatic than standard match play because holes are not halved. When players tie on a given hole, the value of that hole is carried over and added to the value of the following hole. The more ties, the greater the value of the skin and the bigger the eventual payoff. For example, a friendly skins game might be played for £1 per hole. If three holes in a row are played without a winner, then the fourth hole is worth £4 (£1 for its own value, plus a pound for each hole that carries over)."

I also play a game with some mates where you simply play each hole for the lowest overall score and lowest putts. 10p per hole for score and 10p for least putts. You can then have a poor overall score but get the ball just off the green for an up and down and still get 10p.. Some times as much as £3 can change hands but it is fiercely battled for

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

For 2 v 2 match play formats there's a couple games I like to play. What you would do is pair up the lowest and highest handicappers of your group against the other two and you can play best ball where you take the teams lowest score on each hole and play a regular matchplay format for that, and you can also combine both of the players scores on each team and the two man team with the lowest total score on each hole wins that hole.

I know you said you wanted to play your own ball but you can also do two man scrambles which are always fun or play worst ball where you both hit your shots but you must both play from the worst shot determined by the other team for you next shot (i.e. one shot in the fairway the other in the rough the opposing team would choose for you guys to play from the rough)

Hope this helps.

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Driver: TaylorMade Burner 10.5 UST Proforce V2
Wood: Nike Sasquatch 3 Wood
Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro 3 I-Wood 20*
Irons: Nike CCI Forged 4-PW
Wedges: 52* Nike SV Tour, 56* Titleist Vokey Spin Milled, 60* Callaway X Forged
Putter: Ping Karsten Series Anser

put each players golf ball in your hand , throw them in the air , the two nearest on the ground are one team , and the others pair up as team b.
the lowest h/c gives shots away at 3/4 the difference.eg 24-7=14, 3/4 of 14=11 . then play standard match play, best score on each hole wins.
hope that makes sense

Here's a good one (or three in one!) I used to play all the time.

Pick your normal matchplay teams by throwing the balls up or whatever, but for an added twist and scoring incentive for your "team" don't allow gimmes (as your doing strokeplay as well - it'll be a better reflection on how you all play including the 2 foot twitchers ) but add a rule.

A couple of years ago I played regularly with a group who had invented a rule called 35C.

As you and your partner play the hole, if you both score net birdies then both scores count. E.g. rather than having a cumulative score for "the best single score on a hole counts" you have an added incentive for both players to make net birdies. So if you're level par, for example, and you both make net birdies, you go to -2. The rule is only allowed for net birdies though! Sorry!

Hence not only can you play matchplay, you can also play individual stroke play and have a cumulative team strokeplay score on the go at the same time! Three games in one! It becomes very competitive and you really get behind your playing partner!

You can get some awesome scores going with 35C.

We used to play groups of 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 depending on how many people turned up. It counted on complete honesty from each group of course! The best combined score with 35C I was involved in was a group of 3 of us vs another 3, me off about 7 at the time, one off 4 and the other off 8. We played from scratch against the other group and mashed them with a score of -14 for 18 holes! The best they could managed was -3 between them!

Obviously when you have the best 2 scores counting out of 3 or 4 of you then there's more chance for better scoring, but what a round we all had!

It reads complex, but it isn't!

Great fun.

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Yoda: That is why you fail.

why not just do fourball then?
Combined team and individual score (as long as each player finishes out on each hole)
Seems the easiest to me.