The Commission on Making Ballantine Even Better (CoMBEB? Maybe not.) has devised a new format schedule for the upcoming 2018 Ballantine Cup Season. Taken in consideration was the requests to have more shared ball matches along with the fact that we were replaying certain formats, which was, in the belief of the Commission, unimaginative and boring. The members of the Commission feel this is a nice, gradual build from complete shared ball competitions in the first round to going it solo verses another player in the last round.
Match 1
Front 9 – Scramble
Back 9 – Scramble
Match 2
Front 9 – Shamble
Back 9 – American Foursomes
Match 3
Front 9 – Four-ball
Back 9 – Aggregate Four-ball
Match 4
Front 9 – Singles
Back 9 – Singles
Below are the definitions of all the formats. Players should review and study each so they know how to play each when they are on the course.
Scramble
(Match 1 – Front and Back 9)
You and your partner drive. Choose the best shot. Both players drop a club length away from the ball. The ball should be in the same condition. (Example: if the ball is just in the sand, no moving it a club length out of the sand). Proceed like this until you hole out. NEW THIS YEAR: At least three drives per 9 holes must be used by each member of the two man team.
Shamble
(Match 2 – Front 9)
After both players have driven, choose the best tee shot from each team and then both players play from that spot with their own ball and complete the hole. Just like the Scramble above, at least three drives per 9 holes must be used by each member of the two man team.
American Foursomes
(Match 2 – Back 9)
Also known as Modified Alternate Shot. You and your partner drive. On the second shot, you hit your partner’s ball where it lies and your partner hits your ball where it lies. For the third shot, choose one ball to play, alternating shots between partners, until you hole out.
Fourball
(Match 3 – Front 9)
Also known as Best Ball or Better Ball. Each golfer plays their own ball such that four balls are in play. A team’s number of strokes for a given hole is that of the lower scoring team member. Higher scores can feel bad about not contributing. Go get‘em on the next hole!
Fourball-Aggregate
(Match 3 – Back 9)
Teams of two play their own ball and take the combined score for the team score.
Singles
(Match 4 – Front and Back 9)
Mano e mano straight up. You and the other guy. Rip his heart out!