Jackson Reid
Am-Am golf tournaments are a unique opportunity for amateur golfers to play with and against each other. Typically, a team of two, three, or four amateur golfers is formed, with any scoring format possible. Stableford scoring is common, where the best two scores on each hole are combined for a team score. This is calculated by adding the two lowest scores together, which are then converted into Stableford points. Am-Am tournaments are a great way for amateur golfers to compete and socialise in a less pressured environment than a professional tournament.
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What You'll Learn
Team composition and scoring
The Am-Am golf tournament format usually consists of teams of four golfers, with the highly skilled amateur ("low am") acting as team captain. Two of the team members' scores are combined for one team score on each hole. This Stableford scoring method involves converting stroke totals into Stableford points, which are then added together.
The Am-Am format can also imply that golfers signing up will be paired with a celebrity rather than a professional golfer, or that the tournament is a significant amateur event featuring low-handicap golfers. The number of golfers per team can vary from two to four, depending on the tournament organizers.
In an Am-Am tournament, the team composition typically includes a mix of skill levels, with the "low am" being the most skilled amateur player. This player often takes on a leadership or strategic role within the team. The other team members may have varying levels of experience and ability, but their scores are equally important, as the two lowest scores are combined to determine the team's score for each hole.
It's important for team members to coordinate their efforts and communicate effectively during the tournament. Strategies such as assigning specific holes or shots to particular team members based on their strengths can be employed. Additionally, team members can motivate and support each other, fostering a collaborative and positive environment to achieve the best possible team score.
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Tournament formats
Am-Am golf tournaments are typically played by teams of amateur golfers. Outside of the United States, and especially in the United Kingdom, an Am-Am tournament involves a very good amateur golfer paired with other amateurs of varying abilities. Teams usually consist of four golfers, with the highly skilled amateur acting as the captain. On each hole, the two best scores from the team members are combined for one team score. This format is often played using Stableford scoring, which involves awarding points based on the number of strokes relative to a fixed target score for the hole. The team with the most points wins.
There are several variations of the Am-Am format, including the "Best 2 from 4" or "3" format. In this format, each team member is designated as player A, B, C, or D, and their scores are counted in that order for each set of four holes. On the first hole, the best score of the team is recorded, on the second hole, the two best scores, and so on. Another variation is the "2-3-4 waltz," where 2, 3, and 4 scores count in each set of 3 holes.
Am-Am tournaments can also be played in combination with other formats, such as stroke play or match play. In stroke play, the team's score is based on the number of strokes taken, with the team returning one score for each hole. In match play, two partners play one ball in alternating order, with Player A taking the tee shot on odd-numbered holes and Player B on even-numbered holes.
Additionally, there are pro-am tournaments, which involve a combination of amateur and professional golfers. These tournaments can vary in format, with the most common being a best-ball or scramble format. In a best-ball format, each player plays their own ball, and the best score from the team is used for each hole. In a scramble format, all team members tee off, and then one drive is chosen, and all players play their second shot from that spot. This process is repeated until the ball is holed, and the team returns one score for each hole.
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Handicap allowances
In match play, the handicap difference between players is used to determine the number of strokes the high handicap player should receive from the low handicapper during the round. Each of these strokes is received on the lowest-numbered stroke index holes. Stroke allowances may be reduced by a set percentage to maintain a level playing field, especially in pairs and team competitions.
The handicap allowances for singles golf are as follows: 95% or 100% of course handicap in individual stroke play, and 100% of course handicap in individual match play. For example, in singles individual stroke-play events, a 95% handicap allowance is applied to each player's course handicap, meaning players may receive 10, 17, 26, or 37 strokes. In singles match play, where the handicap allowance is 100%, the player with the lower handicap plays off zero strokes, and the other player receives the difference in strokes between the two handicaps.
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Prizes
In amateur golf, prizes typically take the form of trophies, cash prizes, or gift cards/vouchers. Some tournaments may offer a combination of these prizes, such as a trophy and a cash reward. Gift cards and vouchers can often be used at golf courses or clubs to purchase equipment, merchandise, or services.
It is important to note that there are rules governing the value of prizes that amateur golfers can accept without losing their amateur status. For scratch competitions, amateur golfers may accept cash prizes up to a certain limit, typically $1000. For handicap competitions, the $1000 limit applies to non-cash prizes, such as vouchers or gift cards. Amateurs can also accept non-monetary prizes, such as golf clubs, clothing, or other merchandise.
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Rules and regulations
Am-Am golf is a tournament format that is typically played by amateur golfers. The term "Am Am" is short for "amateur-amateur", and the format usually involves teams of amateur golfers competing against each other.
While there are many types of Am-Am tournaments, each with its own rules, the format is often a scramble, where teams of golfers play one ball, and the best score on each hole is used as the team's score. Another common format is the "best ball" tournament, where each golfer plays their own ball, and the lowest score on each hole is used as the team's score. In some tournaments, Stableford scoring is used, where stroke totals are converted into Stableford points and added together.
In terms of team composition, Am-Am teams typically consist of four golfers, including one highly skilled amateur who acts as the captain. On each hole, the two lowest scores from the team members are combined to create the team's score for that hole.
Some Am-Am tournaments may have specific rules and requirements for participation. For example, the Sandiway Golf Club's Men's Open AM AM tournament requires all competitors to be male playing members of a recognised golf club, with a maximum handicap of 24.
It is important to note that the rules of golf, as outlined by the R&A, also apply to Am-Am tournaments. These rules cover various aspects of the game, including individual play, match play, stroke play, equipment, and procedures for ball marking, lifting, cleaning, and replacement.
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Frequently asked questions
In an am-am tournament, two, three, or four amateur golfers are paired together to form a team, with any scoring format possible.
On each hole, two of the team members' scores are combined for one team score. Stableford scoring is used, and the best two scores among the team on each hole are counted.
The Rules of Amateur Status define who is eligible to compete as an amateur golfer and aim to maintain a distinction between amateur and professional golfers. Common actions that make someone a non-amateur include accepting a prize that is not allowed, playing in a golf competition as a professional, and accepting payment for giving instruction.
The US Am Tour is a golf tour in North America that provides a TOUR-style tournament experience to players of all ages and abilities, allowing golfers to compete with others at their skill level and access top courses.
