Best Ball Tournaments
Everyone plays their own ball. The best score counts. Five flexible formats for any group size.
From classic Four-Ball to the rotating Cha-Cha-Cha, run the perfect team event with USGA handicaps, live leaderboards, and mobile-first scoring.
Create a Best Ball Tournament →Works on mobile — on the course
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How Best Ball Works
The most popular team format in golf — simple to understand, exciting to play.
Everyone Plays Their Own Ball
Each player on the team tees off and plays the entire hole independently, just like a normal round of golf.
Best Score(s) Count
After everyone finishes the hole, the lowest score (or scores, depending on the format) becomes the team's score for that hole.
Lowest Team Total Wins
Add up the team scores across all 18 holes. The team with the lowest total wins. Handicaps keep it fair for players of all skill levels.
Why Golfers Love Best Ball
Best Ball is the ideal team format because every player plays their own ball — there's no pressure from teammates watching your shot. A bad hole from one player is covered by the rest of the team. It encourages aggressive play and lets every skill level contribute meaningfully.
Five Format Variants
Choose the format that fits your group. From classic Four-Ball to the creative Cha-Cha-Cha.
One Best Ball
Four-Ball / Classic Best Ball
- Single best score per hole
- 2-4 players per team
- Most popular format
- Low-pressure team play
Two Best Balls
Two Best Balls of Four
- Two lowest scores summed
- Every player matters more
- Teams of 3-4 players
- Great for mixed-ability groups
Three Best Balls
Three Best Balls of Four
- Drop only the worst score
- Highest accountability
- Teams of 4 players
- Safety net for one bad hole
Cha-Cha-Cha
Rotating 1-2-3 Pattern
- Holes 1-6: 1 best ball
- Holes 7-12: 2 best balls
- Holes 13-18: 3 best balls
- Builds intensity through the round
Best Balls by Par
Count Varies by Par Type
- Par 3s: 1 best ball
- Par 4s: 2 best balls
- Par 5s: 3 best balls
- Strategic and course-dependent
Powerful Features
Everything you need to run a professional best ball tournament
USGA-Compliant Handicaps
Individual handicap allowances for fair competition across all skill levels
Live Leaderboards
Real-time team standings that update automatically as scores are entered
Player Contribution Tracking
See who carried the team with detailed individual contribution stats per hole
Tournament Branding
Upload a custom logo and banner to make your tournament feel professional
Skills Contests
Add Long Drive and Closest to the Pin side games for extra excitement
Multi-Flight Support
Organize teams into flights for larger events with separate leaderboards
Mobile-First Scoring
Designed for on-course use with fast hole-by-hole score entry
Spectator View
Premium members can follow the tournament live, even if they're not playing
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players per team?
Best Ball teams can have 2 to 4 players. The most common setup is teams of four, but all five format variants support flexible team sizes. Two-player teams work great for Four-Ball, while four-player teams unlock the full range of formats including Cha-Cha-Cha and Best Balls by Par.
What's the difference between Best Ball and Scramble?
In Best Ball, every player plays their own ball from tee to green — only the best score(s) count for the team. In a Scramble, the entire team hits from the same spot each shot, choosing the best drive, best approach, and so on. Best Ball preserves individual play while Scramble is fully collaborative.
How do handicaps work?
Handicaps are applied using USGA individual allowances. Each player's handicap index is converted to a course handicap based on the course slope and rating, then allocated as strokes on the hardest holes. This ensures NET scoring is fair for teams with mixed skill levels.
What is Cha-Cha-Cha?
Cha-Cha-Cha is a rotating best ball format that builds intensity through the round. On holes 1-6, only the single best ball counts. On holes 7-12, the two best balls count. On holes 13-18, the three best balls count. It's a favorite at men's clubs and charity events because the stakes increase as the round progresses.
Is this a Premium feature?
Yes, creating Best Ball tournaments requires a Premium subscription. However, all invited participants can join and score in a tournament whether they have a free or premium account.
Ready to Run Your Best Ball Tournament?
Pick your format, invite your group, and let the app handle the scoring. Get started in minutes.
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