Heading out to the golf course is one of life’s great pleasures, but you don’t need to play a traditional 18-hole stroke play round to get your fix. Whether you’re short on time or are looking for new ways to gage your improvement, here are a few favourite games and formats golfers of all skill levels are sure to enjoy.

Match Play

We’ve all been short on sunlight with a tee time that was borderline for getting 18 holes in. Instead of chopping your round off after 15 or finishing with your phone flashlight on, a match play format can help you squeeze in more golf in less time. Not only does match play increase pace of play by having holes conceded, but the round virtually never goes the full 18 holes, with the winner usually declared on the back half of the back nine. Match play is also very easy to handicap with strokes given on the hardest holes making it a true test of competition with whomever your partner may be.

The Quick Six Fix

Jack Nicklaus is a big proponent of building 12-hole golf courses, his argument being that 18 holes simply takes too long for most people. Even if you’re unable to get in 18, or heck, even nine, playing six holes gives you a good test of where your game is at. For most amateurs, getting off to a good start on the round can make all the difference to their overall score, that’s why playing six holes and finding some early rhythm can help improve your game when it’s time to tee it up on the weekend.

Bingo, Bango, Bongo

Whether you’re looking to add another element of competition, or perhaps you just want to do away with keeping a traditional score to save time, Bingo, Bango, Bongo provides golfers a fast and fun way to get around the course. The game is simple, one point (Bingo) is given to the player who reaches the green first, regardless of strokes. The “Bango” point goes to the player who is closest to the pin. The final “Bongo” point goes to the player with the lowest recorded score. When you add it all up this quirky version of the game keeps everyone involved regardless of overall score or skill level.

Stableford Format

Making a big number on a hole can be more than a little disheartening and throw a real damper on the round. For players who are just starting out or don’t feel like they’re quite ready to tally every shot on the course, a Stableford Format is the perfect scoring solution. Instead of counting each stroke, Stableford is a points-based scoring system, with points given for pars and birdies, and points deducted for bogeys, double bogeys and worse. By limiting the damage that can be done to your overall score, Stableford keeps competitions fun and competitive, while giving recreational players a target score to improve on.

Have a favourite golf format or game that we missed? Let us know in the comments below.