
With the popularity and drama of FedEx Cup style point races that we see on many tours around the world, it's no wonder golf leagues include these as part of their offering to members. Also, NCAA College Golf tournaments have made an impact on golf leagues as many are incorporating team based competitions to their schedule. Both of these formats award participation and keeps the tee sheet full most weeks.
However, with the introduction of new formats brings with it the hassle of managing and updating the standings each week. Many great league ideas are left on the table and never get past the administrators due to the time needed to keep the standings up to date. But these formats can now become reality with Golf League Genius.
Below are some popular season long formats that can be included and calculated with simple gross score entries that will engage and increase player participation throughout the season...
This format is extremely popular and is based on the NCAA formula of X amount of scores counting for each round. Leagues can choose Gross, Net, or Stableford as the weekly format and the teams earn points each week for where they finish relative to the other teams in the standings. Leagues can then incorporate a playoff series or simply just keep racing with increased points for the final 4 weeks. Many more options are possible with this type of season long format.
Skins Leaders
Gross and Net skins are a staple for many golf leagues. But, the overall time to figure out two different skins games each week can take hours depending on the size of the league. Now with Golf League Genius you can create a Gross Skins Group and a Net Skins Group and with simple gross score entry the system will not only compute weekly skins results, but keep a running total for the year. This is a great option to add to existing team formats and keeps a player engaged when they may feel like they're out of it for a night. Who's your Skins King?
The most watched standings of any on the PGA Tour is the FedEx Cup Point Standings. It's no wonder so many leagues have made this type of format a part of their arsenal. Many players love the drama of a tight point race and though team formats are vital, Individual point races will make a player participate on weeks they may not. These can be set up similar to a PGA Tour schedule where points are increased during Major weeks. This style of season long event adds drama, social awareness, and camaraderie to the league.
Ringer Boards are simple. Over the course of the year each player's best score on every hole is tracked. The player that has the lowest gross score wins the Gross Ringer Board and the lowest net score at the end of the year wins the Net Ringer Board. This format can be broken up into halves. First and Second Half Ringer Boards with a season long Board going at the same time. Again, this format is often frowned upon due to the extra work it entails. Golf League Genius easily keeps track of this format throughout the season with simple gross score entries and up to date handicaps.
Net & Gross Dueces and Treys
Dueces and Treys or simply the most 2's and 3's is a very common Professional practice round game, but is becoming a league favourite. The two games are broken up and leaders in each category are tracked throughout the season. Each week the scores are entered and the Golf League Genius system tracks the amount of 2's and 3's each player makes. At the end of the season there will be an overall Dueces winner and an overall Treys winner.
Net & Gross Birdie and Eagle Leaders
Similar to Dueces and Treys, Birdie and Eagle Leaders are always fun to track throughout a season. WIth gross scores entered, the system will compute the amount of birdies and eagles each player makes. At the end of the season you'll have overall totals and a winner in each category. Again, to keep things interesting for all players, a league should implement both Net and Gross versions of these games. The uniqueness of adding games such as these, is the ability to incorporate league sponsor recognition. Giving a title sponsorship to a business and adding more value for their contributions i.e. The Acme Inc. Net Birdie Leader.
Most Improved Player
The Most Improved Player is a great award for end of season festivities. It basically rewards the player who had the greatest improvement in handicap over the league. This format is more of a recognition and an award rather then a game throughout the season. However, it's a very engaging statistic to track throughout the year and in this format you would make a minimum amount of weeks played for a player to be eligible for prizing. In the end, Most Improved Player encourages participation. If a player sees he/she needs a couple more weeks played to be eligible, they're more likely to make an appearance and improve his standing.
The above games can be combined with any league format that is currently running. A league can incorporate all of them, but beware of over doing it. Players will get overwhelmed if there's too much going on each week and throughout the season. Keep it simple with 3 or 4 unique season long games. League members will love the different formats and it's been shown they truly get engaged while tracking their progress throughout the season.
Do you currently play any interesting season long games in your league? If you do, let me know. Golf League Genius is always looking for more formats to include in the system and give league managers more options.