Sixes vs. Best Ball vs. Match Play: Which Golf Format Is Right for Your Group?

Picture the first tee on a Saturday morning. Four friends are standing around with coffee, and someone says, "So what are we playing today?" Nobody answers. Someone shrugs, and another mumbles something about "just a regular round." Forty minutes later, two of them are grumpy about a triple bogey and the day has lost its spark.

A good format fixes that. It gives the round a story, keeps everyone involved even after a bad hole, and turns four individual scorecards into one shared game. Three of the most popular choices are sixes, best ball, and match play. Here is how each one works and which one deserves a spot on your next tee sheet.

What Makes a Golf Format Right for Your Group?

There is no single best format, only the best one for the people standing on the tee. A format that thrills four low handicappers can bore a foursome of weekend hackers. Before you pick, think about who is playing, how much time you have, and what kind of day you want. Three simple questions will narrow the choice quickly.

How big is the skill gap? If a scratch player is paired with a beginner, you need a format that keeps both people relevant. Team formats and handicap strokes help a lot here.

How much time do you have? Some formats speed up play because you can pick up once a hole is lost. A relaxed all day round leaves room for something more involved.

How competitive is the mood? Some groups want money on the line and a trash talk soundtrack. Others just want fresh air and a friendly game.

How the Sixes Golf Game Works?

The sixes golf game, sometimes called round robin, is the format that quietly wins over every group that tries it. It needs exactly four players, and the idea is to change partners often enough that nobody feels stuck with the same teammate for eighteen holes. Think of it as three short matches inside one round, which keeps things fresh and fair.

The Basic Setup

Label the players A, B, C, and D. On holes 1 through 6, A and B play C and D. On holes 7 through 12, A and C play B and D. On holes 13 through 18, A and D play B and C. Each six hole stretch is usually played as better ball, so the lower score on each hole counts for the team.

A Quick Real Life Example

Say Raj and Dev play Amit and Neel on the front six. Raj makes par on the second hole while the others make bogey, so his team goes one up. A rough fourth hole levels things out. They halve the match, and everyone swaps partners on the seventh tee. Nobody is stuck sulking for long.

Pros and Cons of Sixes

Sixes sounds slightly complicated on paper and feels natural after about three holes. It has a lot going for it, but it is not perfect for every outing. Here is the honest picture so you can decide whether the setup effort pays off for your crew.

Why groups love it:

Everyone plays with and against every other player.

A bad start never feels permanent because the next match begins soon.

The "my partner is dragging me down" complaint disappears, since partners change every six holes.

Where it falls short:

It only works well with four players, so a threesome or a group of eight needs another plan.

Beginners can find the rotation confusing at first. Write the partner schedule on the back of the scorecard before you tee off and the confusion mostly goes away.

How Best Ball Works?

Best ball is the relaxed cousin of tournament golf. Every player hits their own ball all the way into the hole, and the team records only the lowest score on each hole. It is easy to explain, easy to score, and friendly to players of every level. If you have ever watched a pro four ball match, you have seen it in action. On a par four, one partner makes a five, the other makes a four, and the team writes down a four.

Using Handicaps Fairly

To keep things even, give each player strokes based on their course handicap, often a percentage of the full number in team play. Then compare net scores. A fifteen handicapper who makes a net birdie can suddenly matter just as much as a single digit player. Picture two couples on a Sunday, where a new player's bogey counts because her partner drove into the trees. She is thrilled that her score mattered.

Pros and Cons of Best Ball

Best ball is the format most people reach for by default, and for good reason. It is forgiving and social. Still, it has a few quirks worth knowing before you commit to it for a tournament or a regular weekly game.

What works well:

Pace of play improves because players can pick up once their partner has the hole secured.

Beginners can swing freely, knowing a poor shot will not sink the team. That freedom often leads to better golf.

What can go wrong:

Weaker players can feel like spectators if their score rarely counts.

Stronger players may carry the team without anyone noticing. A simple fix is to require that each player's score count on a set number of holes.

How Match Play Works?

Match play is the oldest and most dramatic way to settle a golf contest. Instead of counting every stroke across eighteen holes, you play each hole as its own small battle. Win the hole and you go one up. It is simple, tense, and wonderfully human, because one disaster hole costs you only one hole, not the whole round.

Hole by Hole Scoring

The lower score wins the hole, and a tie means the hole is halved. The match ends when one player leads by more holes than remain, so a result like 3 and 2 means three up with two to play. Dormie means you are up by as many holes as are left. The higher handicapper receives strokes on the hardest holes, based on the stroke index on the scorecard.

Pros and Cons of Match Play

Match play rewards courage. Because you are only trying to beat one opponent on each hole, you can take on a risky shot that would be foolish in stroke play. That drama is the main attraction. It has downsides too, especially when you are organizing a larger group.

The big advantages:

A blow up hole is not fatal, so you can recover mentally.

A tight match on the back nine is hard to beat for excitement.

You can pick up once a hole is lost, which speeds up play.

The drawbacks:

It is mostly a two player or two team game, so a big group needs more planning.

A match can end early, leaving holes to play with nothing at stake. Many groups follow it with a friendly side game.

Concessions matter. Never assume a putt is given. Wait for your opponent to say it.

Sixes vs. Best Ball vs. Match Play at a Glance

Sometimes a quick side by side view settles the debate. Here is how the three stack up on the things most golfers care about, from group size to pace of play.

If you only remember one thing from the table, make it this: best ball is the easiest to play, match play is the most intense, and the sixes golf game is the most social.

Which Format Fits Which Group?

Now for the practical part. Here are four common situations and the format that usually works best in each. Treat these as starting points rather than strict rules, since every group has its own personality.

Regular weekend foursome: Go with sixes. The rotating partners keep things from going stale, and the three mini matches give everyone several chances to win. It is also great for settling small bets without hard feelings.

Mixed skill level outings: Best ball with handicaps is the safest bet. Everyone contributes, the pressure stays low, and newer players feel included.

Rivals who want a showdown: Two friends arguing for years about who is better need match play. Expect plenty of banter and at least one very dramatic putt.

Corporate days and charity events: Best ball scales easily and keeps the pace brisk when a dozen foursomes share the course. Most guests care more about fun than the final score anyway.

Practical Tips Before You Tee Off

A few small decisions made at the start can save a lot of arguments later. Run through this short checklist before your first drive.

Agree on the format and the scoring before anyone hits a shot.

Decide how handicap strokes will be applied, and mark the stroke holes on the card.

Clarify the rules on gimmes. A common approach is inside the length of a putter grip.

Set a pace expectation, such as picking up once you cannot score.

Keep any wagers small and friendly so the game stays enjoyable.

You can also mix formats. Some groups play the sixes golf game on the front nine and switch to match play on the back, or run a best ball tournament and add a side game for individual bragging rights.

Conclusion

There is no wrong answer here, only a better fit for your day. Sixes brings variety and friendly rivalry to a foursome. Best ball keeps the game relaxed and welcoming, especially when skills differ. Match play delivers the sharpest competition, with real drama in every hole.

Before your next round, spend two minutes choosing a format instead of drifting through eighteen holes without one. Try the sixes golf game if you want fun, best ball if you want ease, and match play if you want a fight. Your scorecard will thank you, and so will your playing partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between sixes and best ball?

Sixes changes partners every six holes, so you play three separate matches in one round. Best ball usually keeps the same teams for all eighteen holes. In both cases, the team counts its lowest score on each hole.

2. How many players do you need for the sixes golf game?

You need exactly four players. The format is built around three six hole matches, with every player partnering once with each of the others. With three or five players, best ball or match play is easier.

3. Is match play harder than stroke play?

It is not harder, but it is different. In match play you only compete hole by hole, so one bad score never ruins your round. Many golfers find it more relaxing, though the head to head pressure can feel intense.

4. Which golf format is best for beginners?

Best ball is usually the friendliest choice. A beginner can play freely because a teammate's better score covers any mistakes. With handicaps applied, newer players also feel their good holes truly help the team.

5. Can you use handicaps in sixes, best ball, and match play?

Yes, all three formats work well with handicaps. In best ball, players usually count net scores. In match play, the higher handicapper gets strokes on the hardest holes. In sixes, apply strokes hole by hole in each six hole match.

6. How long does each format take to play?

Best ball and match play are generally the quickest because players can pick up once a hole is lost or covered. Sixes takes about the same as a regular round, usually around four hours for a foursome, depending on the course.

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