golf trip ryder cup format

Ryder Cup Style Golf Trips: A Complete Guide Loaded With Ideas

Written by Graeme Hay | Last Updated: 09/05/2024

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play in the Ryder Cup?

I have now played in six ryder cup format golf trips over the past 15 or so years and I can genuinely say they have been the best experiences of my golfing life.

Who would have thought that a phone call from a friend of my brother would lead me to represent ‘Team Europe’ six times against ‘Team USA’ on some amazing courses on both sides of the Atlantic?

A ryder cup format buddies trip is one of the best golfing events you can play in so in this article I wanted to give you a few ideas for games and formats to consider playing with your friends on your next trip to make it a ryder cup style event.

Copying the Ryder Cup Event Format is Not Always the Best Option

The Ryder Cup itself involves 24 players in total, 12 each from the USA and Europe playing a match play event every couple of years with the venue alternating from one side of the Atlantic to the other.

It is a match play tournament and the official format is as follows:

• 28 matches played over the course of the three-day tournament with one point going to the winner of each match. A tied match results in half a point being awarded to both sides.
• On the first day 4 foursomes or ‘alternate shot’ matches are played over the initial 18 holes with fourballs being played again in 4 matches in the afternoon’s 18 holes.
• 8 matches then take place on the second day and follow the same format as day 1 – foursomes or ‘alternate shot’ in the morning 18 holes with fourballs in the afternoon.
• On the final 3rd day twelve individual singles matches are played with the winning team being the first that reaches the magic number of 14.5 points.
• In the event of a drawn match with 14 points each the holder retains the trophy.

So if you are planning to play a ryder cup format game with your friends the official tournament itself clearly gives a itinerary to follow.

The issue with the official format though is that it can often be hard to get exactly 24 friends away to play golf together.

In addition, the foursomes or ‘alternate shot’ format is not necessarily the best one when it comes to groups of friends on a trip with a wide variety of handicaps.

Most buddies golf trips will involve a different number of players.

Sometimes you will have 16, or 18 or 22 and it’s not often you will have the same numbers as the official Ryder Cup.

If you can have 12 a side match on your buddies golf trip then that’s obviously great but if you don’t you can still easily make the event work and there are plenty of ideas you can use or adjust to get a trip that works for all your friends.

Indeed I would recommend, particularly if your group involves a big variety of standards of player that you don’t follow the exact format of the Ryder Cup itself.

And remember if you follow the official ryder cup format exactly 4 members of each side would be missing out on a match for the first two days and you would have to play a total of 90 holes in 3 days

That’s a very heavy workload for a relaxing golf trip away and most importantly does not leave a lot of time for downtime at the all important 19th hole!

Format and Team Ideas for Ryder Cup Style Golf Trips

For a ryder cup style golf event to work you probably need at least 8 players on each side but I have seen these type of events work with as few as 4 players on each side.

Less than 8 friends on your golf trip though and I think you’re probably better thinking of a different style of trip to play.

But if you are able to get 16, or 20 or the ideal 24 of your buddies away on a golfing trip here are some ideas to make it into a ryder cup style event.

With a few adjustments you can even accommodate an odd number of players so don’t think you always need an even number.

It makes things easier for sure but it can still work if you don’t.

And don’t worry if you have a wide variety of standards of players and handicaps.

Or indeed if some of the players don’t even have a handicap.

These format ideas have that specifically in mind to make sure everyone stays involved and enjoys themselves throughout.

They can also be amended to cover any amount of rounds you want to make part of the ryder cup format event.

For example rather than 3 rounds in 3 days you could amend them to work over 4 rounds in 4 days or 5 rounds in 5 days.

Idea 1 – Mix up the formats each day

One of the simplest ways to run your ryder cup style golf trip is to stick to the same format as the Ryder Cup itself – i.e. four player matches for the first two or three days followed by singles on the last day – but simply change the format of the matches themselves.

For example rather than making each match traditional match play where the low net score wins the hole you could make each four player match a scramble.

Scrambles involving 2 person teams working this way:

• Each player on the team hits a tee shot.
• The team then decides what was the best shot.
• The team member whose shot was not taken pick up their balls and move them to within one club length of the spot of the best shot.
• Each player then plays again from that spot and again select the best shot and this continues until the team holes out.

This format is great for the less able players on the trip as it lets them ignore their bad shots but also contribute at any point to the team during the round.

Or as we do in our events we play a ‘greensomes’ format on day 1 where each team member drives after which the pair switches to alternate shot.

On day 2 we then just play normal fourball better ball with handicaps where the low net score wins the hole.

Another format option for matches is Nassau which splits the round into 3 different parts.

The first is played over the front nine, the second over the back nine while the third is counted over the full 18 holes.

This game is great because it can be applied to any format – for example match play, stableford, stroke play etc – but most importantly because it is based on the idea that the game’s result cannot be any worse than 3-0.

And that’s a great thing because it allows teams to have a chance throughout the round and not be out things straight away if they get off to a bad start.

To be honest you can choose whatever format you want for all the rounds (best ball, alternate shot, scrambles, shambles, las vegas, stableford, nassau, multiplier, ringers etc).

You could also mix up the formats during a round itself to make things even more interesting.

All can work well and provided you keep the ‘singles’ day – which in my view is an absolute must to make it feel like the real thing – the options are unlimited.

Just make sure everyone is clear on the rules at the outset before they start!

Idea 2 – Team selection

When it came to putting the teams together for our own ryder cup style event the selection of the teams was based simply on ‘Team USA’ vs ‘Team Europe’ so the make up of the teams was already decided.

If on the other hand your golf trip simply consists of a big group of friends and you need to find some way to create the teams in the first place here are a couple of ideas for you to look at:

• Use handicap categories/divisions – one way to create a set of teams is based on their handicaps. You want to make sure you have a good mix of standards across the two teams and that one team doesn’t end up being way better than the other. To do this you could divide all the players on the trip into A, B, C & D category players. These categories could be category A – handicaps of 6 or less; category B – handicaps of 7 to 13; category C – handicaps 14 to 21 and category D – 22+ handicaps. Once you have your categories made up the teams could be put together by putting the best player in group A and the highest handicapper in group D in team 1, then the second-best player in group A and second highest handicapped player in group D in team 2 and so on. Or you could draw a player from each of the groups into Team 1 and then draw a player from each of the groups into Team 2 until everyone is allocated to a team. To be honest the categories can be based on any grouping and the key is simply to split up the spread of playing abilities evenly across the group as far as possible.
• Draft your teams – Another option to put your teams together is to use use the first round of the trip to create a ‘draft’ system for the team picks. You can play whatever format of round you want for the ‘qualifying round’ but afterwards the ‘draft’ could work in the following way: the player with the best score start becomes the Captain of Team 1 and chooses their first teammate. The next best scoring player then becomes the Captain of Team 2 and chooses the first member of their team and so on and so on until all the players are allocated to the team. Again you will want to make sure there’s a good mix of abilities across both teams but it should work ok as the two captains get alternate picks. Just make sure though nobody is going to get offended at getting picked last. It’s a bit of fun after all and can lead to great stories afterwards if the lowest draft pick then makes the decisive contribution in the overall match!

The best thing about a ryder cup style event is that anybody can play no matter their standard of golf.

You could be friends from rival universities, colleagues from old companies or just a group of golfing buddies who fancy a crack at testing their skills in the most emotionally charged pressure-cooker environment in match play golf.

All that is going to be missing are media celebrities and the galleries of rabid fans!

Idea 3 – Focus on Singles Day

Another idea is to use a scoring system in the first 2 or 3 days to help you create the best match ups for the singles day.

For example if you use a stableford scoring system for the four player matches you can use each pair’s combined points score to determine who wins the match and one point for their side but also use the individual scores to give everyone a scoring average over the first couple or few rounds.

You can then use those individual scores to create the singles pairings – i.e. top Stableford points average on one side vs. top Stableford points average on the other side and so on.

This can really help keep everyone involved and make those who are not playing so well during the trip feel like they still have a chance to contribute to the team because they’re up against someone who is also struggling a bit in the singles.

One other method we have used in the past is to reduce the handicap of players who won their last match by one stroke and increase the handicap of those that lost for the next round.

Some may think this unfair but we found it a great way to make sure a team didn’t run away with the match which isn’t always the most fun.

We have had only one event thankfully which ended up as a runaway for one of the sides and although it was still a great trip we definitely missed a trick by not adjusting the format to stop it being so one sided.

The best ryder cup style trips with friends are always the ones where the result is still in doubt up until those last few matches on the last day!

Idea 4 – Dealing with odd numbered teams

Ideally you are looking for a number of players which when divided by 2 gives you an even number (e.g. 16, 20, 24) so that you can have an even number of four player matches before the singles but it’s not the end of the world if you don’t.

In one of our ryder cup style trips we ended up with 11 a side.

For the first two days therefore we had a spare body after the initial 5 fourball pairings had been drawn.

So what we decided to do was simply have the additional player each day play a singles match even though it wasn’t officially singles day.

It worked great and provided the individual doesn’t have to play singles twice on those days – so that they are essentially only playing singles matches throughout the trip – it still lets you have a great event even though you maybe don’t technically have the ideal number of players.

As long as you have an even number overall you can make it work!

Take Your Venue into Account

When it comes to venues for your ryder cup format golf trip I genuinely think you can’t go wrong wherever you go.

That’s not to say some courses aren’t better than others and it is a big part of the trip if you are lucky enough to get to somewhere which has a great reputation.

Our ryder cup style golf weeks have taken us to some of the best golf courses and resorts in the world – Pinehurst, Turnberry, Valhalla, Kiawah Island, Royal County Down in Northern Ireland and Vilamoura in the Algarve in Portugal – and getting to play these courses has without question provided me with lifetime golfing highlights.

But the best thing about all of these trips has been the friendships made and the venues have simply proven the huge dollop of icing on the cake.

If you have a great bunch of people together and manage to get the format right I’m a firm believer that the venue does not matter.

The event itself and the stories which result will provide top billing.

The one thing I would say on venues though if you are heading to a venue or resort which has a signature course – such as Pinehurst No.2, the Ailsa Course at Turnberry or the Ocean Course at Kiawah Valhalla course which provided the location for the official 1991 Ryder Cup matches – is to organise the event if possible so you get to play the signature course more than once.

Lots of golf trips I know will head to the one course and play all their rounds on the one course but if you are spreading your ryder cup trip events days across a few different courses then I would suggest trying to get two of the rounds on the best course culminating with the singles matches.

Our absolute best events involved having a round earlier in the trip on the main signature course, either as the fourballs or foursomes or even a fun practice day event where the teams got mixed up, before finishing things off the singles matches on that same signature course.

And this was especially important to the group we found if it was somewhere we were going for the first time.

We would always play a couple or more courses across the rest of the trip but there was definitely something special playing the final set of matches on the ‘big course’ of the week having already had a chance to get to know it in less ‘pressurised’ circumstances than the deciding singles!

Finally venues with courses which had loads of different tee options to allow different standards of golfers play from the sets of tees they wanted was another big advantage when it came to putting the matches together.

It allowed everyone no matter their ability to enjoy the course.

The less able players didn’t feel they were having too much of a slog and the better players got to play off the back tees without thinking they couldn’t because it would make the course too hard for everyone else.

5 Top Tips for Any Ryder Cup Format Golf Trip

If you get a chance to play in a ryder cup format event with friends I would take it.

Don’t hesitate.

Just say yes first and work out later how you are going to manage to fit it into your everyday life later.

Trust me it’s one of the best golf trip experiences you can have and having played in 6 of them now on great courses on both sides of the Atlantic, I can honestly say they have given me lifelong friendships and some of my best golfing memories.

To help make sure your event is as much fun, and competitive, for everyone who is playing as possible here are my 5 top tips for any amateur ryder cup style golf event:

Keep the format simple

Whatever format you decide on for your event, and there are lots of options, my advice is to keep things simple.

Too many rules or even games within games can get tough to keep track of and even a bit annoying in my experience.

Lots of events I know run an individual event in addition to the ryder cup style team event.

There’s nothing wrong with that obviously but for me it takes away a bit of the point of the ryder cup style trip which is to play ‘team golf’.

If players are also focused on individual side games it can sometimes take the attention away from the team stuff which can then remove some drama from the overall matches, particularly as they build towards a climax.

There can no better feeling than having your team mates head out on the buggy after their match is finished to watch your match and keep you updated on how the outcome will effect the overall match.

It can really get the nerves going and half the time you think you’re playing in the main ryder cup event itself!

And if you want individual stuff why not just have each Captain nominate their ‘player of the week’ and award them a prize.

When it comes to choosing the format I would always thing about the less able players on the trip first and make sure it works for them.

There’s nothing worse than struggling with your game and then not feeling part of the event.

And that risk is highest for the high handicappers who are not as familiar or comfortable with dealing with loads of rules at the same time as trying to play well.

Choose a format that keeps it competitive

Being on the winning team at a ryder cup style event is a great feeling.

The stories at the 19th hole after the event are sometimes worth the trip alone as the length of the winning putt gets longer and the quality of the shots improve as time passes in the bar!

But ask anyone who has played in our series of matches and they will all agree, whichever side they played on, that the best events are the ones which are the most competitive.

One of our ryder cup trips even ended up going to the last green on the last hole on the last match!

After ‘Team Europe’ holed a 25ft putt across the 18th green to what we thought was to ‘win’ the match ‘Team USA’ followed in with an 18ft putt to steal the trophy with the last shot of the week.

There was pandemonium from both sides, particularly as that final putt secured ‘Team USA’ a 5 point comeback on the final singles day.

Even on the losing side, it provided one, if not the best, memories in our events history and nobody who was there will ever forget it.

And you can imagine how long those putts are now when talked about all these years later!

You want a good competition of course and want to create something which everyone thinks is fair but watch out for formats which can potentially let one side run away with things.

It’s great to win but trust me it’s just not as much fun.

Honesty with handicaps is vital

Not everyone on your trip may have a handicap and other players may have an ‘official handicap’ but having not played for a while are worried they won’t get near to playing to it at the event.

In our experience as long as everyone is honest about their handicaps then things will work out.

We’ve never had the situation where someone has given a doggy handicap which others felt unfair.

In each event we have had two Captains set up the matches before each round splitting their teams up using their knowledge of the playing abilities involved.

Our group has always had a wide range of handicaps with some of the group not really having an official one and having the captains set the match-ups after a bit of debate has always let things even out.

If you’re a bit worried about handicaps also you could think about adding a rule where if a player wins a match their handicap goes down 1 the following day or if they lose their handicap goes up 1 so help ensure things even out over the event.

The night before the trip can often involve a drink or three and hours of arguing over what guys handicaps actually are but if everyone is honest it will work out.

The good news also is with the introduction of World Handicap System in 2020 it will be much easier to handicap players, even from different parts of the world from now on.

So ensuring a balanced set of handicaps on different courses for your next ryder cup style event should now be much more straight forward.

Flexibility is key

We have also found a bit of ‘flexibility’ has always helped on our trips.

For example if a particular match wants to play of a particular set of tees then let them decide amongst themselves.

Or indeed if a group wants to mix up the tees within the same match then what’s the problem if everyone in the match agrees?

Or if its a Stableford format you could let the groups decide if they want to handicap the individual holes or use the final points tally for each team decide the result.

It may not be traditional match play format but all that really matters is who gets the winning ‘point’ from the match.

Just remember to make sure it stays simple though!

Sometimes also we’ve found that some individuals within the event want to make sure they play at least one round against a member of the other team.

We’ve always found that if the captains add a bit of flexibility to accommodate these sorts of things it always leads to some great matches and better overall event.

Make an effort with the gear

This is a much easier thing to do now than it used to be and if you can get matching team ‘outfits’ organised for your event it will undoubtedly add a bit of uniqueness and specialness to your ryder cup format golf trip.

The night before each of our events each of us would be ‘presented’ with our different polo shirts for each of the 3 ‘ryder cup’ days and it was a real thing to look forward to each time.

You could also get trousers or shorts ordered for everyone also if you want to really take things to the next level!

We even ended up getting our own logo designed as we had more events and I’ve still got every one of those shirts from all of the trips I went on.

Walking to the putting green before the matches began and seeing two sets of teams in matching outfits getting ready for ‘battle’ really adds a sense of theatre to things and gets the butterflies going as you start to imagine what it would be like to play in the real thing!

And if you want to add that little bit extra too as we did, and introduce a trophy, you can get the winning team to take that famous ryder cup shot which happens at the end of every set of matches where all the winning players gather around the trophy and touch it.

These ‘extras’ can make the trip a bit more expensive but if you’ve got the time and money to get them organised they are well worth it to help build up the sense of occasion and drama!

Final Thought

Whatever type of match or venue or trip you choose for your ryder cup style trip with your friends though the overriding mantra is always to have a good time.

Having too much to each and drink, often into the small hours of the morning, playing some great golf mixed in with alot of very ‘suspect’ shots and then repeating for as many rounds as you can get away with is really the core of the recipe for these types of events.

They are very special trips, win or lose, if you get a chance to play in one and can make you very lucky as I have been over the years to make some friends for life!

More great articles related to this topic

• 5 Top Tips to Beat a Better Golfer
• 5 Fun Buddy Golf Trip Games for a Wide Range of Handicaps
• 11 Fun Golf Games for Odd Numbers with Wide Range of Handicaps
• What is Fun About Golf? 5 Reasons It Really Is
• How Long Does a Round of Golf Take – for 1, 2, 3 & 4 Players?

4 responses to “Ryder Cup Style Golf Trips: A Complete Guide Loaded With Ideas”

Great read. I organize our Ryder Cup trips and have adopted a lot of your suggestions. The only thing missing is a replica Ryder Cup. Where did you get yours?

Ah good question! It was a good while ago now and one of the other team members sorted it from memory. Leave it with me and I’ll find out! Also please come back and let us know if there are any extra things you add that we’ve missed here. Would be great to add them to the list! Ps. Thanks also for the feedback. Is much appreciated 👍

Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

Many thanks for the feedback. It is very much appreciated. Delighted you enjoyed the post. Thanks again! 👍

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

RECENT ARTICLES

The Complete Guide to the Most Popular Clubs on LPGA Tour (2024)

Driving Success – The Most Popular Driver on LPGA Tour (2024 update)

Perfecting the Approach: The Most Popular Irons on LPGA Tour (2024)

What Golf Balls Do LPGA Players Use? They’re Not Very Lady Like! (2024 update)

Behind Every Stroke: The Most Popular Putter on Champions Tour (2024)

LEGAL INFORMATION

This site is owned and operated by Golfing Focus Limited, a private limited company whose registered office is in London, UK. Golfing Focus Limited is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees (at no cost to you) by linking to Amazon.com. Golfing Focus Limited also participates in other affiliate programs with the eBay Partner Network, FlexOffers, CJ.com, Svorn and other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies (again at no cost to you).

Our Socials

• Drivers & Woods
• Irons & Wedges
• Grips & Shafts
• GPS & Range Finders
• Assorted Golf Products
• Bags & Carts
• Books / Videos
• Golf Training Aids
• Golf Course Reviews
• Women’s Golf
• Reviews by Company
• Golf Improvement
• Sponsorship

Guys Golf Trip Ryder Cup Format

For the past six years I have organized a guys golf trip to Pinehurst NC. I have written a couple of posts about how to organize a guys golf trip  and also suggested a format that works for 8 or 12 guys , but this year I threw that all out the window and moved to a Guys Golf Trip Ryder Cup.

While the format I have used in the past has been great, the Ryder Cup format was a HUGE success and I expect we will continue the format for years to come. In fact, to a man, every guy said it was the best trip ever. Why? Well because it is just more fun to play for a team. Just because you can’t play for your country does not mean you cannot experience the thrill of draining a putt on the 18th to win a critical match.

Anyone who has played on a team knows that having the pressure of letting down your team is much worse than just messing up your own score. Whether you are sinking a 5 foot bogie putt or draining a 60 foot gagger, it is just more fun when you are playing on a team. For example, some of my best memories from the trip were when we hung out watching guys come in on the 18th hole as we tried to figure out who needed to do what. Especially when it was for all the marbles as was the case in our Ryder Cup.

Now before you skip to the end to get the format I used, I would emphatically tell you that just as critical to the format is how you actually set it up. In fact, the actual format is the least important detail. Note, our trip was for 12 people but this can be used for any number of guys.

4 Keys to Organizing a Guys Ryder Cup Golf Trip

1) Choose Captains: This is where it all starts. Have two guys who will take control of the process and add a level of energy. While the two captains should be of similar golfing ability, you do not need to choose the two best golfers. Rather, you should pick guys who will add some personality and excitement to the match. In our case, one Captain brought shots of whiskey for everyone and even quoted the entire “Miracle on Ice” speech prior to the final round. Basically, you need the biggest shit-talkers in the group to take on this task.

2) Have the Captains pick teams:  Yes, I know you are the organizer but you need to let the captains pick the teams. I would suggest the draft occur about three weeks prior to the trip. This way no one can complain about lopsided teams. Plus it gives the Captains ownership of their squad and plenty of time to start talking smack.

3) Ditch email: I have tried tons of apps for golf trip organization and have not found one that I like. Email is a disaster and texting is goofy. What we ended up using is an app called Groupme. It is basically like text messaging but it is all inclusive. This way you can talk smack, add updates, or send out announcements and they will be in one place. No more worrying about not replying to all or guys not getting your text. You can also attach images or documents.

4) Get team uniforms: This is super critical. Having everybody show up in the same shirt makes the whole thing feel legit. At first some of the guys gave me grief about having to buy a shirt, but in the end they all said it was awesome. Seriously, this is a MUST. For our trip I contacted QED Style who gave me a discount since I got 24 shirts. Everyone totally dug the polos, but whatever you choose make sure they are of good quality. No reason to cheap out on a shirt and have it never be worn again . . . get some good ones that can be added to the everyday rotation.

NOTE: All teams were chosen by the captains prior to each match. One captain would throw out at team and the other captain would match it. With that said, they tended to massage the matchups to make for interesting pairings. Basically, I let them do whatever they wanted which was great because it took the pressure to organize off of me.

Round 1 and Round 2:  Two man teams (points). Each man plays his own ball. Teams get points for each man’s score: 5 pts eagle, 3 pts birdie, 2 pts par, 1 pt bogie. Team with most points wins the match (both balls count). 1 point for match win, 1/2 point for tie. EXAMPLE: Player one gets a par and player two gets a bogie. That is 4 points for that hole. At the end of 18 holes, the team with the most points wins the match.

Parting shots:

Believe it or not, at the end of the match we were all square. Despite what I thought was a lopsided team, things even out. Why? They just do. Which makes it that much more fun. Heck, you think Matt would try to pull this shot off if he did not know he needed to find a way to make par?

More from my site

23 Comments

Wow! I hope I miss that shot so I can do shot.

Sounds like a great Format. Thinking of promoting something like that for visitors to Scotland.

Can you just clarify the 2nd 9 holes on last day. Is it another alternate shot or do you change to singles?

Ian, The post is actually a touch wrong although it could go either way. We played two man captains choice for the 1st nine then two man alternate shot for the 2nd nine. You could flip it around. I am actually not sure which is the best way. Part of the reason we do two man teams that round is because it is the round you are most tired and captains choice takes a little pressure off. Frankly it will work any way. As I mentioned, format is the just one piece of the puzzle. Creating the team environment is the most critical part as that is where all the fun stems from.

Just wondering how you would figure the amount of points needed to win by playing 2- 6 man teams over 3 rounds.

All you need to do is figure out how many total points are available to win. Then divide by 2 and add 1/2 pt. So if there were 24 points available you would need 12 1/2 points to win. Part of the reason I split the last round into two nines is that it double the amount of points available making it possible for a big last round comeback.

Hi Adam…love the format and we’ll be heading to Pinehurst NC for a similar 8 guy trip. One thing that keeps things in the air for us is the idea of using handicaps? Did you factor that into the format? If so how. We have some really good golfers…and well some not so good! 🙂

We also have a fairly wide range of abilities. Using handicaps is tough because not everyone keeps one. I think as long as you don’t have odd numbers it still works. I try to break it down to A,B,C,D players. With just 8 guys, if you can at least break it into two groups then teams can have on A player and one B player in the two man match ups. If however you have have only 3 really good players and 5 not so good players it could get tricky. Still, I find that you should be able to divide up the teams fairly (which is why I let captains choose). Again, if you can match guy to guys fairly close you should be ok.

Thanks…and yes it presents a challenge. One other thing that we do is throw in a few bucks for each day and the overall best score gets to be King for the day…gets the money…and gets tended on all evening. Its a bit of fun to say the least.

Adam- I’m currently planning another trip and in the past we’ve had 8 guys, so we’ve had 2 teams. This year we are looking at 10-16 guys and was curious if you would recommend going to 2 man teams and what a good format might be. Not everyone has a handicap and it’s a wide range of players. Thanks!

Just got back from a 16 man Ryder Cup format with a wide range of players. The key is to match up levels of play and keep everyone involved. The games we played were: Traditional Fourball (match similar levels of play), high v high, low v low (can have an A and a B player on the same team), points (3 birdie, 2 par, 1 bogey), two man captains choice and individual match play. Believe it or not, the past two years, the match has ended in a tie. The goal is to make sure that each guy has an opportunity to contribute. We don’t use any handicaps, we just make sure each two man team has a similar skill level. The other thing to remember is that anything can happen. With high handicaps you just never know who is going to play well.

We’ve got 14 players (two 4 balls, two three balls) and want to do a Ryder cup format. Have you got any suggestions on what games we could play over the two rounds to make it competitive?

I think I would just do two rounds of individual match play. Have the captain pick teams and then do pairing. Or you could do 3 fourball matches each day with a kicker individual match play for the extra two dudes. It would obviously be best to find two more guys

What would you suggest for 10 guys?

Did you get any ideas/solutions for 10?

The bigger issue is are you going to play 2 foursomes and then a twosome? a little awkward. I think with ten you are going to have to do all single matches (which is not a bad idea). You could also have the foursomes play a two man match (a few options on formats) and then have a rotating singles match for every round. That might be the best idea, since it is fun to play the two man teams. You would have to map it out but I think that would work.

Any recommendations for 11 guys?

Find a 12th? One guy can have a simulations match against two guys might work as well.

No 12th guy. He backed out last minute (wont get a invite next year) and we are unable to full the spot last minute.

What is a simulation match?

I have some games lined up, but would like to see if I can work out a Ryder Cup format.

Day 1 – 36 holes (9 guys) Day 2 – 36 holes (11 guys) Day 3 – 18 holes (11 guys)

Not sure if its possible to start the matches Day 1 (mix in the 2 guys on Day 2)or would it best to start Day 2? This might help you decide is that would we have a 7 HCP and a 24 HCP flying in for Day 2.

How would you go about this?

sorry, I think I was drunk when I responded. I meant simultaneous match. i.e., one guy plays against two guys individually.

I am not sure how to do the 9 guys. Again, you could only have 4 counting match (8 guys), or have one guy have two simultaneous matches (5 matches).

I think you are learning why you gotta lock dudes in with money early. That way you can sell the spot at a huge discount to fill the spot.

Good point….Last Question….We will do the game 9’s on Day1….what games would be best to do over 3 rounds for Ryder cup format or should we just punt the idea?

Would love to get your thoughts on our new release of our Golf Trip Manager on TripCaddie! Fans of ThreeGuysGolf can email us at [email protected] and mention ThreeGuysGolf and get a free trip planning site for your next golf trip. Good until July 31st, 2019!

Any ideas for 9 golfers for Ryder cup format 3 day trip 1st day- 18 holes 2nd and 3rd day 36 holes

Any tips or suggestions to make sure everyone gets to play with each other? I can see matches being set up with skill level similarities and some guys end up playing with the same folks all the time.

Leave a Comment

Cancel reply, get our weekly digest, three guys golf on twitter, instagram slider, recent posts.

Radmor (it’s about the cotton)

True Linkswear OG Sport

The real reason you should get fit for golf clubs

Wilson D7 Irons

Walker Trolley

Bushnell Pro XE Rangefinder

True Linkswear TL-01

Seven Canyons Golf Course

Short Par 4

True Linkswear Major

Oh the putters, strokes gained putters, ricky johnson custom putter review, cleveland tfi 2135 putter, cure putters rx3f.

{{newsflash.title}}

How it works: Ryder Cup format

Change Text Size

2018 Ryder Cup preview

The game's top players tee it up at Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits, for the 43rd playing of the Ryder Cup. The first Ryder Cup was played in 1927 but since 1979 the competition has consisted of two days of four-ball and foursome matches along with one day of singles matches. The 2021 Ryder Cup begins Friday, September 24, here's what you need to know on the unique team format.

WHERE: The location of the Ryder Cup alternates between Europe and the United States.

TEAMS: The qualifying criteria for the each team is different. For the U.S a points system has been in place since the 2019 season with players collecting points up until the completion of the 2021 BMW Championship. The top six players on the points list secured spots on the U.S. team with the remaining six players selected by Captain Steve Stricker following the completion of the 2021 PGA TOUR season.

U.S. Roster: Collin Morikawa, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Harris English, Daniel Berger, Scottie Scheffler.

For Europe the qualification is based on two lists. The top four players from the European Points list were selected with the top five players in the World Points list who had not already qualified earning spots. Europe also selected three captain's picks to complete the roster.

Europe Roster: Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Bernd Wiesberger, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Paul Casey, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Lee Westwood, Shane Lowry, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter.

FOUR-BALL: Each member of a two-man team plays his own ball, so four balls are in play on every hole. Each team counts the lowest of its two scores on each hole, and the team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. If the low scores are tied, the hole is halved.

FOURSOMES: Each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

SINGLES: each match features one player from each team. The player with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. If their scores are tied, the hole is halved.

Unlike stroke play, players don't have to complete each hole in match play. If a player concedes a stroke – almost always a putt – to his opponent, the opponent picks up his ball, takes the score he would have made on the next stroke and moves on to the next hole.

POINTS SYSTEM: Each match is worth one point, with matches ending in a draw worth 1/2 point to each side. The first team to reach 14 ½ points (of the 28 points available) wins the Ryder Cup. If the matches end in a 14-14 draw, the team holding the Ryder Cup retains it. Europe is the defending champion headed into the 2021 Ryder Cup.

The three days of the matches consist of 28 total matches, each of which is worth one point. There are no extra holes in Ryder Cup matches. Should the two sides be tied after 18 holes, each side earns a halve (1/2 point).

Ryder Cup Format & Scoring Explained

• DESCRIPTION 1622188922 Getty Images 107244927
• SOURCE Image: David Cannon/David Cannon Collection via Getty Images
• PERMISSION Getty Image license

There’s one golf tournament every-other year that attracts the rowdiest crowds and gives fans a World Cup style spectacle: the Ryder Cup. The bi-annual exhibition between the best professional golfers from the United States and those from Europe is appointment viewing for avid golfers and casual fans alike.

The recipe for the Ryder Cup’s success is simple: start with one part golf; add a team element; convert stroke play to match play; spice it up with four ball, alternate shot, and individual match play; pour in the Patriotism generously and stew for two years. Voila, the result is a can’t-miss golf spectacle.

Ryder Cup Format

The Ryder Cup alternates between four ball and foursomes over four sessions during the first two days, and ends with 12 individual matches.

Also known as alternate shot, in this format teammates alternate tee shots with Player 'A' teeing off on odd-numbered holes, and Player 'B' teeing off on even-numbered holes. After the tee shot, teammates alternate shots until completion of the hole. The team with the lower score on the hole wins the hole. Holes can be tied (formerly referred to as halved). The team that wins the match receives one point, and if the teams tie they each get a half-point.

How to Play Alternate Shot

In the four ball format, all four players play their own ball. The team whose player has the lowest score wins the hole. Holes can be tied (formerly referred to as halved). The team that wins the match receives one point, and if the teams tie they each get a half-point.

Four-Ball in Golf: Rules & Strategies for Match and Stroke Play

Players compete in match play head-to-head . The best score on each hole wins that hole. Holes can be tied (formerly referred to as halved). The player who wins the match earns one point for his team. Ties are worth 1/2 point to each team.

Ryder Cup Scoring

There are 28 total matches and available points. The first team to reach at least 14.5 points wins. If the teams tie (14 vs.14) the team that last won the tournament retains the Ryder Cup trophy. Of course, it’s always preferable to win the Ryder Cup than to retain it.

Selecting Ryder Cup Teams

Each team has a captain, who decides which players will play together during four ball and foursomes matches, and in which order they will compete in singles matches.

Ryder Cup players are selected through a years-long qualifying process in which points are earned based on money made in major championships, World Golf Championships, and regular PGA Tour events, weighted to favor recent success and reward recent success and major winners.

Typically eight players from the United States qualify through points, with the captain selecting players for the remaining four spots. However, when the 2020 Ryder Cup was pushed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the United States announced that just six players would qualify through points, and captain Steve Stricker would make six captains picks instead of four. Zach Johnson, Team USA's 2023 Captain, kept the format of six captains picks for the 2023 edition of the Ryder Cup.

The Europeans also employ a points system, with the top three players from the European Points List and the top five from the World Points List automatically qualifying, leaving six captains picks.

List of American Golfers With the Most Ryder Cup Appearances

Ryder Cup History

The Ryder Cup is a bi-annual match-play competition between the United States and Europe. The competition is named after golf enthusiast and businessman Samuel Ryder, who donated a solid gold trophy for the winning team. The first official Ryder Cup was contested in 1927 at Worcester Country Club in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Ryder Cup was strictly U.S. versus Great Britain until 1979, when a rules change allowed all continental European professionals a chance to qualify.

The Ryder Cup stands at 27 wins for the United States, 14 wins for Great Britain/Europe and two ties. The event was not played from 1939 to 1945 due to World War II and in 2001 due to the World Trade Center attacks.

Location & Future Sites

The Ryder Cup is played every other year, alternating locations between the United States and Europe. The 2023 Ryder Cup is to be played at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy.

Here are the future Ryder Cup Sites that have been announced:

Ryder Cup Scoring System And Format Explained

We examine how the Ryder Cup works, including the format, how many points are needed to win and the 2023 order of play

• Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

Ryder Cup Format Explained - How The Ryder Cup Works

How many points are needed to win the ryder cup, ryder cup order of play.

The 2023 Ryder Cup takes place at Marco Simone for the 44th edition of the biennial match between Team USA and Team Europe.

In total, 28 matches are contested over three days of action with each worth one point.

But what is the format and scoring system? Let's take a look at how the Ryder Cup works, and what each team needs to do to be declared the winner.

There are a total of five sessions over the three days of play- a set of foursomes and fourball sessions on each of the first two days and a Sunday singles session to conclude.

The Ryder Cup format is head-to-head match play , unlike the usual stroke play format seen on the PGA and DP World Tours.

Each team has 12 players, with eight from both taking part in each foursomes and fourball sessions. Meanwhile, there are four points on offer in each of the sessions of foursomes and fourball.

That means after day one, 8 points will be played for. After two days, 16 points will be contested, with the final 12 points decided on Sunday where all 24 players compete in the 12 singles matches

Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter

Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.

The home captain dictates which order the foursomes and fourball sessions are played. This year, Luke Donald opted for foursomes in the morning followed by the fourball session in the afternoon. That schedule holds for both Friday and Saturday.

On Sunday, there are 12 singles matches during which everyone plays an opponent drawn at random. Each captain picks their own 12-man line-up without knowing which order the other team are playing in.

Luke Donald chose foursomes to begin the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone

Foursomes is an alternate shot format, where teams in pairs take turns on each hole using the same ball. So, one player hits the tee shot and the other will play the next shot from where the ball finishes and so on. This continues until the ball is holed. It's a match play competition against the other team, too, so whichever duo takes the fewest shots wins the hole.

Players on each team take turns to tee off, so one will tee it up from the even-numbered holes and the other from the odd-numbered holes.

In fourball, both players from each team play their own ball, so there are four balls in play on every hole. The best score from each team member counts in the match, with the lowest score resulting in a win.

Finally, the 12 Sunday singles matches pit one player against another in head-to-head match play, with the player with the lowest score winning each hole until the match is either won or halved.

For either team to win the Ryder Cup outright, they need to reach a total of 14.5 points, the number needed to ensure being mathematically certain of victory. 

However, as we witnessed at the women's equivalent of the contest, the 2023 Solheim Cup, sometimes scoring ends in a tie at 14-14 - leading to the holders retain the trophy.

That led to suggestions there should be a playoff to determine an outright winner of such contests, but instead, the defending champions keep the cup.

That means, for Team Europe, only an outright win will do this year, because it lost to Team USA 19-9 in the 2021 edition at Whistling Straits. 

Times in local CET

• Friday 29 September: 7.35am-8.20am Foursomes matches 12.25pm-1.10pm Fourball matches
• Saturday 30 September: 7.35am-8.20am Foursomes matches 12.25pm-1.10pm Fourball matches
• Sunday 1 October: 11.35am Sunday Singles (12 players tee off every 12 minutes)

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 14 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all equipment and video content at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader or viewer find exactly what they are looking for. 

One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 2.8.

Joel's current What's In The Bag?  

Driver: Titleist TSR3 , 9°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 S shaft.

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3 , 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 , 18° 

Irons: Titleist T150, 4-PW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10, 50°, 54° and 58°

Putter: LAB Golf DF3 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x

• Mike Hall News Writer

Martin Slumbers said that both the men's and women's Open Championship will move towards being played at the same courses - but "with one exception" for the AIG Women's Open

By Jonny Leighfield Published 21 August 24

Season-long prize pools on the PGA Tour have increased dramatically over the last 30 years, as this comparison with the 1994 golfing season demonstrates

By Nick Bonfield Published 21 August 24

The American is no longer a contracted club player with Titleist - so what equipment is he now playing? Let's take a closer look

By Michael Weston Published 16 February 24

The clubs used by America's Xander Schauffele, a member of Team Callaway who has one or two other brands in the bag

By Michael Weston Published 9 February 24

What clubs does the 2023 US Open champion play? Let’s take a closer look at his line-up

By Michael Weston Published 7 February 24

We take a closer look at the Englishman’s choice of clubs and full equipment setup on tour

We take a look at the clubs currently in the bag of four-time major winner Rory McIlroy for the 2024 season

By Sam Tremlett Published 12 January 24

How To Watch Ryder Cup Day 3 live stream after USA's Saturday fourballs' success has set up the chance of a record final-day comeback

By Roderick Easdale Published 1 October 23

Get to know Patrick Cantlay's caddie, Joe LaCava, a little bit better here

By Matt Cradock Published 30 September 23

Ludvig appears to be in a relationship with a talented tennis player

By Golf Monthly Published 28 September 23

• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Accessibility statement
• Cookies policy
• Advertise with us

Golf Monthly is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Ryder Cup Format Explained

The Ryder Cup is a prestigious golf tournament that has captured the hearts of golf fans worldwide since its inception in 1927.

What is the Ryder Cup Format? The Ryder Cup format is unlike other events. It is a biennial competition with 12-player teams from the USA and Europe. It takes place over three days and 28 matches, with the winner being the first team to reach 14.5 points.   Teams score 1 point for a win, 0.5 for a draw, and 0 for a loss.

Since the Ryder Cup is so different from the PGA, there are more details to learn about scoring and the selection process.

This comprehensive guide will give you an in-depth understanding of the Ryder Cup format, scoring system, team selection process, history, betting, and more. In this article, we will cover all the key points.

Day 1: Four Foursome Matches and Four Fourball Matches

Day 2: four foursome matches and four fourball matches, day 3: twelve singles matches, ryder cup previous winners, ryder cup roster for 2024, how concessions affect match-play, how ryder cup teams are selected, ryder cup’s history and tradition, ryder cup’s course and venue, ryder cup betting and odds, how are the three different ryder cup formats scheduled, what does a 4-2-1 score mean for the ryder cup, how many points are required to win the ryder cup, final thoughts, ryder cup format: overview.

The Ryder Cup is a unique competition in golf, as it features a team format rather than the individual stroke-play format commonly seen in other major tournaments. But how does the Ryder Cup work? Here’s a brief overview of the format:

• Day 1: Four foursome matches and four fourball matches
• Day 2: Four foursome matches and four fourball matches
• Day 3: Twelve singles matches

In this format, two players from each team form a pair and play with only one golf ball, taking alternate shots. Each player in the pair takes turns teeing off, and the team with the lowest score on each hole wins the hole. The team that wins the most holes over the 18-hole match secures a point for their side.

In fourball matches, two players from each team also form a pair, but each player plays with their own golf ball. The best individual score from each pair is compared against the opposing team’s best score, with the lowest score winning the hole. The team that wins the most holes throughout the match earns a point for their side.

The format on day 2 is the same as day 1, with four foursomes matches in the morning and four fourball matches in the afternoon. The players may be different from the previous day, as team captains can change their pairings and line-up to strategize and capitalize on the strengths of their players.

On the final day of the Ryder Cup, all 12 players compete in singles matches, with one player facing off in a head-to-head match.

The player with the lowest score on each hole wins the hole, and the player who wins the most holes during the match secures a point for their team.

The singles matches provide an exciting finish to the competition, as all players can contribute points to their team’s final Ryder Cup score.

Qualification is still in progress, but we know some things. Luke Donald will captain Team Europe, while Zach Johnson will lead Team USA.

Players are likely to change, but Scottie Scheffler would seem to be a shoo-in, given his large points total. From the European perspective, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are leading the way in terms of points on tour.

How Ryder Cup Scoring Works

So, how does the Ryder Cup scoring system work? In the Ryder Cup, each match is worth 1 point, and the team with the most points at the end of the event is the eventual winner. The Ryder Cup scoring method is as follows:

Win:  1 point

Tie:  0.5 points (for both teams)

Loss:  0 points

Win the cup : 14.5 points

To some people, the Ryder Cup point scoring system is a little difficult to follow. Perhaps it’s because of the decimal points teams receive from tying. However, in reality, the scoring is easy to understand, especially when you become used to it. A total of 12 teams are vying for 14.5 points, and they get 0.5 points for a draw and 1 point for a win . It’s really that simple.

If the competition ends in a 14-14 tie, the defending champion retains the trophy.

One factor that makes match-play different from typical stroke-play is concessions. In the Ryder Cup, concessions play an essential role in the spirit of sportsmanship and fair competition.

A concession occurs when a player acknowledges that their opponent has won a hole, typically when they have an easy putt remaining. By conceding, the player demonstrates respect and confidence in their opponent’s ability to make the short putt. This act of sportsmanship is a unique aspect of match-play events like the Ryder Cup, fostering camaraderie and goodwill between the two teams.

Concessions can also impact the pace of play, as they allow players to move on to the next hole without completing the current hole. While concessions are a symbol of sportsmanship, they can sometimes be a strategic decision, as a player may choose to concede a hole to maintain momentum or save energy for upcoming challenges.

Ryder Cup Match Formats

As we mentioned above, the rules of the Ryder Cup are different from most golf tournaments. It features three distinct match formats played over the three days of the competition. Days 1 and 2 are the same, consisting of foursome matches in the morning and fourball matches in the afternoon. Day 3, on the other hand, is solely singles play.

Let’s analyze the impact of these formats on the outcomes of the matches.

In foursomes , each two-player team plays with one ball, taking alternate shots. The players must also alternate on tee shots.

This format requires a high level of teamwork and understanding between partners since they need to plan and execute shots together.

Foursomes can impact the outcome of the Ryder Cup by highlighting the importance of pairing players with complementary skills and strong chemistry. A successful partnership in foursomes can set the tone for the rest of the competition and potentially swing momentum in favor of one team.

In fourballs, each player on the two-player team plays their ball, and the best score among the two partners counts for the team. This format is also known as best ball .

The fourball format allows for more aggressive play since each team member can take risks, knowing that their partner can potentially make up for any mistakes. Fourball matches can lead to dramatic comebacks and changes in momentum, as a single fantastic shot can alter the outcome of the match.

Captains must carefully choose pairings that maximize each player’s strengths, ensuring that their team can take advantage of scoring opportunities. We explain fourballs  in more detail in our article.

On the final day of the Ryder Cup , all 12 players from each team face off in head-to-head singles matches. These can significantly impact the outcome of the Ryder Cup, as they offer the most points available in a single day.

Team captains must strategize their line-up based on individual player form and potential matchups against opponents. There is no room for error in singles, and the pressure on each player is immense.

The singles matches often decide which teams get higher Ryder Cup scores, and players’ performances in these high-stakes battles can create lasting memories and turn the tide of the competition.

The Ryder Cup teams are chosen through a combination of automatic qualification based on performance and captain’s picks. The selection process and criteria differ for the European and American teams.

European Team:

• The top four players on the European Points List
• The top five players on the World Points List not already qualified
• Three captain’s picks

American Team:

• The top six players on the Ryder Cup Points List
• Six captain’s picks

Team captains are crucial in selecting and managing their teams, including pairings and match order. They have the power to influence the outcome of the tournament by making strategic decisions that can maximize their players’ strengths and exploit the opposing team’s weaknesses.

The Ryder Cup’s rich history dates back to 1927 when the inaugural event was held at Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts. Originally, the competition was between the United States and Great Britain. In 1979, the British team expanded to include players from continental Europe, creating the modern European team we know today.

Some of the most famous moments in Ryder Cup history include the “ Miracle at Medinah ” in 2012 when Europe staged a remarkable comeback to win the trophy, and the “Battle of Brookline” in 1999 when the United States rallied for an improbable victory.

These moments showcase the passion and drama that the Ryder Cup embodies. The top players from the USA and Europe take a break from solo play to come together as a team.  It is the ultimate symbol of international golf competition.

The Ryder Cup alternates between venues in the United States and Europe, with each host country and course designer playing a crucial role in selecting and preparing the course for the event.

Ryder Cup courses are known for their challenging layouts, pristine conditions, and unique features that test the skills of the world’s best golfers.

Some famous Ryder Cup venues include Hazeltine National Golf Club (USA), Gleneagles (Scotland), and Le Golf National (France). The selection of the course and venue is a significant aspect of the event. It often reflects the host country’s golfing tradition and culture while presenting a distinct challenge to the players.

In 2024, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy, will host the Ryder Cup. Hole 16 is particularly challenging. It features two bunkers and a water hazard to the right. Optimistic players may try to reach the green with a driver, but with the downhill lie, it’s very risky!

Betting on the Ryder Cup is a popular pastime for golf enthusiasts, with various types of bets available, such as outright winner, individual match outcomes, top point-scorer, and more.

Factors such as team form, player performance, and course conditions affect the odds of the Ryder Cup.

When betting on the Ryder Cup, it’s important to consider responsible gambling practices, such as setting limits, researching your bets, and never betting more than you can afford to lose. Remember that the Ryder Cup is unpredictable; anything can happen throughout the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Day 1: Four foursome matches and four fourball matches Day 2: Four foursome matches and four fourball matches Day 3: Twelve singles matches

A 4-2-1 score indicates that one team has won four matches, the other team has won two matches, and one match has ended in a tie.

A team needs to accumulate 14.5 points to win the Ryder Cup. If the competition ends in a 14-14 tie, the defending champion retains the trophy.

The Ryder Cup is a unique and exciting event that showcases the best of international golf competition. The distinct Ryder Cup rules and scoring, its rich history, and the fierce rivalry between Europe and the United States make it a must-watch event for golf fans.

As you follow the action and immerse yourself in the Ryder Cup format and experience, we hope this comprehensive guide has provided you with valuable insights into the tournament’s format , scoring system, team selection, and traditions. Enjoy the matches and appreciate the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship that the Ryder Cup represents.

Sam Ledgerwood

Sam has been playing golf for over 20 years and founded Impact Golfer . As a teenager, he discovered his love for the game using his grandad’s clubs, including a wooden driver. As a golf obsessive, Sam plays whenever possible, regularly competing in matchplay with his friends and in tournaments at his local club. He's fortunate to have a close friend who is a club pro– he has tested almost every type of equipment on the market (no freebies yet).

Sam has a handicap index of 13 and likes playing at the Metro Golf Centre near his home in London. He putts with a Taylormade Spider because Rory uses it but regrets selling an old Scotty Cameron putter on eBay.

• Sam Ledgerwood https://www.golfspan.com/author/sam-ledgerwood Piper Golf Balls Review: Pros, Cons, Alternative
• Sam Ledgerwood https://www.golfspan.com/author/sam-ledgerwood Wedge Bounce Explained: In Simple Terms & Images
• Sam Ledgerwood https://www.golfspan.com/author/sam-ledgerwood TaylorMade M6 Irons Review: Pros, Cons, Alternatives
• Sam Ledgerwood https://www.golfspan.com/author/sam-ledgerwood The 10 Worst Golf Courses in the World

You might also like these

CONNECT WITH US