Fairest Pairs Format?

[Wheyayeman]

Every year 10 of us get together for a golf weekend at our childhood home course (some still living there) with a BBQ on the Sat, and golf then a day out on the Sunday. Needless to say its always good craik and over the years we have added trophies and prizes, and generally just enjoy our one weekend together.

To get to the point of the post, the main comp has always been a pairs stableford which started off as betterball but was then changed to Total Combined scores a few years ago, and I was just wondering what the general consensus is for the fairest or best way to run this event.

Betterball seems to be a better way to determine a team working well together ie scoring on holes when your partner is out of the hole, however is it fair that one pair could both shoot 40pts each and have a team total of 40pts as they've both scored on the same holes, whereas a team who both shoot mid 20's could actually win because they score on different holes?

Your thoughts!

 

[pokerjoke]

I like the format of both scores combined,because it keeps everyone involved and every point counts.

 

[USER1999]

Combined. There are no passengers.

 

[EZprophet]

I prefer better ball. It feels more like a team event whereas total combined just feels like a standard individual stableford. You are just simply trying to get the most points whereas in better ball you can have some tactics (like when you are able to be aggressive on a birdie putt because your partner is in with a par already etc. etc.)

Better ball is less stressful aswell, especially if one player is playing well and the other not so well. The player not playing well can at least contribute on the odd hole and help the team out as opposed to completely ruining the teams chances with all of his bad holes.

 

[fundy]

9 holes of each

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Prefer better ball. That way I'm less of a burden

 

[richart]

I prefer better ball. It feels more like a team event whereas total combined just feels like a standard individual stableford. You are just simply trying to get the most points whereas in better ball you can have some tactics (like when you are able to be aggressive on a birdie putt because your partner is in with a par already etc. etc.)

Better ball is less stressful aswell, especially if one player is playing well and the other not so well. The player not playing well can at least contribute on the odd hole and help the team out as opposed to completely ruining the teams chances with all of his bad holes.

Agree, better ball is team golf, and good for plenty of banter.

 

[RGDave]

I'd opt for betterball. Combined pairs stableford can be cruel.


This coming from a pair that scored 45 points off 3/8 combined in the last week.

 

[Smiffy]

Prefer better ball. That way I'm less of a burden

Feck me Martin. Don't you ever see the bright side of golf????