Golf league points systems

Field size minus place

In a field of N golfers, 1st gets N points, 2nd gets N − 1, and last gets 1. Everyone who plays scores something, so it rewards turning up as much as playing well.

A bigger field gives more points to win: 1st of 30 earns 30, 1st of 10 earns 10. That’s one reason to award points within flights of similar size.

Points table

You set the points for each place, for example 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and places past the end of the table get nothing. It rewards finishing near the top more than turning up, and the numbers don’t depend on how many played.

Within flights or across the field?

• Within flights: golfers are ranked against their own flight, so a 20-handicapper can win their flight on a good night. Every flight has a winner every week. Most flighted leagues do this.
• Across the field: one ranking for everyone. Simple for small leagues, but net scoring has to be fair across very different handicaps.

Ties

Two golfers tie for 2nd of 12. The places they occupy (2nd and 3rd) are worth 11 and 10 points.

Splitting keeps the total points the same every night, which is why most league spreadsheets do it. Sharing the best is more generous.

Every night, or best nights?

Counting every night rewards attendance. Counting only each golfer’s best N nights (say best 10 of 16) forgives missed weeks for holidays and shift work. Decide before the season and write it down.

Tiebreaks in the standings

Two golfers finish the season level on points. Common tiebreaks: lower average net, then lower best net, then the head-to-head result on the last night.

Golf League Software does all of this

Choose field-size-minus-place or your own table, within flights or across the field, split or shared ties, every night or best N, and a tiebreak. The points and standings follow from the scores every night. See standings and points.