How to Run a Member-Guest Style Event With Friends

A member-guest is one of the best days in club golf. Two-person teams. Short matches. A shootout at the end. Plenty of trash talk.

You do not need a club to copy the feel. You need a plan.

What makes a member-guest fun

Strip it down and three things make it work.

1. Two-person teams. You play for your partner, not just yourself.
2. Lots of short matches. You are never out of it for long.
3. A big finish. Something everyone watches at the end.

Build your event around those three ideas.

Step 1: pick teams of two

Each player brings a partner, or you draw names. Either works.

If you draw, try to balance skill. Pair a stronger player with a less experienced one. It makes every team a threat.

Aim for an even number of teams. Four teams is a nice small event. Six or eight teams is a full day.

Step 2: make flights

In a real member-guest, teams play in flights. A flight is a small group of teams that all play each other.

For a friends event, keep it simple:

• 8 players (4 teams): one flight. Everyone plays everyone.
• 16 players (8 teams): two flights of four teams.

Each flight winner moves on to the final.

Step 3: pick a match format

The classic choice is best ball match play. Each player plays their own ball. The team's best score on each hole counts. Win the hole, win a point.

Short matches keep the day moving. A common setup is nine-hole matches.

• Holes 1 to 9: Team A vs Team B.
• Holes 10 to 18: Team A vs Team C.

Points go to the flight standings. A win is worth more than a halve.

Tip: if your group has a wide skill range, consider a scramble match for one nine. It speeds things up and keeps the weaker teams in it.

Step 4: plan the schedule

A one-day version looks like this.

Two days is even better. Matches on day one, final on day two.

Step 5: the big finish

This is what people remember. Two options work well.

The final match

The flight winners play one last nine, or a few holes. Everyone else follows along, with drinks.

The shootout

One team from each flight. Play one hole. The worst team on the hole is out. Repeat until one team is left. Chip-offs break ties.

Either way, make it visible. Gather the whole group near the green.

Step 6: prizes

Keep prizes small and fun.

• Winning team: a trophy that stays with them for a year.
• Flight winners: something cheap and silly.
• Closest to the pin and long drive.
• A "most improved" or "best team name" prize.

The trophy matters more than the cash.

Gross or net?

Most member-guests use net scores so everyone has a shot. If your group has a wide range of skill, consider net. If everyone is close, gross is simpler.

Read gross vs net: how to keep a tournament fair for the trade-offs.

Keeping score

This format creates a lot of matches. Paper gets messy fast.

You need three things from your tool:

1. Each match scored hole by hole.
2. Flight standings that update after each match.
3. A live view so everyone can follow the final.

Our golf tournament app comparison covers the main options.

A note on fit: MATCHUPS runs tournaments as exactly two teams of 4, 8 or 12 players. That fits a two-team cup better than a multi-flight member-guest. If you have many teams of two in flights, Squabbit or 18Birdies are likely a better fit. Squabbit's free plan lists unlimited players and every format. 18Birdies tournaments are free.

If your version is simpler, say two teams of four, MATCHUPS can score best ball and match play between them across one to five rounds.

A smaller version for four or eight friends

Not enough people for flights? Try this.

• Four players: two teams of two. Play three nine-hole matches, switching partners each time. Most points wins.
• Eight players: two teams of four. Best ball matches in pairs, then a final singles round.

Same feel. Less admin.

Small touches that make it feel real

• Print a pairings sheet and tape it to the cart barn or the kitchen fridge.
• Give each team a name. Make them pick it before the first tee.
• Post standings at lunch, loudly.
• Have one person act as "tournament committee" for rules calls. Their word is final.

The short version

Teams of two. Short best ball matches. Flights if you have the numbers. A loud finish. A trophy that stays with the winners for a year.

That is a member-guest, without the membership.

Leaderboard Weekly is published by the people who make MATCHUPS, a free golf app for iPhone and Apple Watch. MATCHUPS on the App Store. matchupsgolf.com.

FAQ

What format is a member-guest?

Usually two-person teams playing best ball match play in short matches, grouped into flights, with a final or shootout.

Can you run a member-guest with friends?

Yes. Use two-person teams, nine-hole best ball matches and a final match or shootout.

Is MATCHUPS good for a member-guest?

MATCHUPS fits two-team events of 4, 8 or 12. For many teams in flights, Squabbit or 18Birdies may fit better.