How to run a weekly golf group game
Every club has one. The weekly group game that's been going for years, held together by one generous person with a phone full of texts. If that person is you, this guide is for you. It works the same whether your group is men's, women's, mixed or couples. It's a plain, practical look at running a weekly game that stays fun for the players and doesn't eat your whole week.
Pick a rhythm and keep it
Players settle into a game when it feels the same every week. Decide when sign-up opens, when it closes, and when groups go out, then stick to it. A simple pattern works well: sign-up opens early in the week, closes the evening before, and groups are posted that night.
Write it down once in your game note so nobody has to ask. Something like: sign-up closes Friday at 6 pm, groups posted by 8 pm, first tee at 7:30.
Make signing up easy
The fewer steps between a player and their name on the list, the more people show up. One link that works on any phone beats a reply-all email every time. Ask for first and last name so you never have to guess which Pat is coming.
Let players see who's already in. It saves you questions, and it gently nudges the fence-sitters.
Use a cutoff and mean it
A firm cutoff is the kindest thing you can do for yourself and for the pro shop. After it passes, close sign-up and build your groups. Late adds can go to you directly, and you decide if there's room.
If someone drops out after the cutoff, ask them to let you know as early as they can. A short, friendly rule in the game note covers most of it.
Have a simple guest policy
Guests keep a group fresh, but they need a little structure. Decide how many guests one member can bring, whether members get first pick of spots, and whether guests play in the money games. Put the answers in your game note.
On the list, keep each guest next to the member who brought them. It makes pairings and settling up much easier.
Build fair, friendly pairings
Good pairings mix things up without surprising anyone. Many groups shuffle each week so people meet new players, then make a few changes by hand for early tee times, slower walkers, or two friends who always ride together.
Post the groups with tee times in one clear message. Send the same list to the pro shop so the starter and the commish are reading from the same page.
Sort out cart pairs early
Within each group, decide who rides together before the morning of. Players who walk, players who need a cart, and friends who like to ride together are easy to handle if you know ahead of time. A quick note on the list saves a scramble at the bag drop.
Keep skins and buy-ins simple
Skins are a classic side game for a weekly group. Players who opt in put a set amount into the pot. On each hole, the player with the lowest score wins a skin, as long as nobody ties them. Many groups carry tied holes over to the next one, which makes the pot more interesting. Decide up front whether you play gross or net, and whether ties carry over.
Whatever games you play, write down who's in and who has paid before the first tee. Settling up is quick and friendly when the list was right from the start.
Plan for the week you're away
Even the best commish takes a vacation. Pick a backup and keep everything they'd need in one place: the roster, the game note, who's signed up, the guest list, and who's in the money games. Walk them through one week while you're still around.
When you hand off, a short message to the group is enough. Let them know who's running things and that nothing else changes.
Say thanks
Weekly games run on goodwill. Thank the pro shop staff, welcome new faces, and keep the tone light when things go sideways. People come back for the golf, and they keep coming back for the group.
A little help, if you want it
If you'd like a little help with the busywork, FourballHQ gives your weekly game one sign-up link and a Commish Desk for the roster, guests, tee times, pairings and cart pairs, plus ready-to-send notes for the pro shop and the skins game. It's there when you want it. Either way, we hope this makes your week a bit easier.
Have a question first? Take a look at the FAQ.