Tie Breaker Question

[kymonopoly]

I hold a small scramble tournament for friends.  We generally get between 16 and 24 players.  Last year two teams tied for the lead and we had a putt-off with one member of each team taking one putt and closest to the cup wins (neither participant could watch the other putt).  I was wondering if there was a better way to do it?   I suppose my options right now are:

1.  Same as last year.  One putter per team, closest wins.

2.  Each member of the team putts at different holes with the cumulative lowest distance to the cup wins (again, the putters at each hole couldn't watch the other putt).

3.  Each member of the teams putt to different holes and the closest earns one point.  Most points wins for their team.  

4.  A suggestion/idea that I haven't thought of yet.

 

Thanks everyone for any input you might be able to give

[David in FL]

The easiest way, and probably most popular, is to just have a sudden death "scorecard" play off.  Pick a hole to start...it can be 1 going forward, 18 going backward, or any hole drawn at random.  Then just compare the 2 scorecards hole by hole. The first team that wins a hole, is your winner.

 

[Shooting29]

Scorecard playoff like what @David in FL said, only thing we do different is we go back on the #1 handicap hole and keep going until there is a winner. Of course what ever you decide have it posted prominently prior to the start that way nobody cries about you choosing a tie breaker that is more advantageous to one of the tied teams.

[David in FL]

2 minutes ago, Shooting29 said:

Scorecard playoff like what @David in FL said, only thing we do different is we go back on the #1 handicap hole and keep going until there is a winner. Of course what ever you decide have it posted prominently prior to the start that way nobody cries about you choosing a tie breaker that is more advantageous to one of the tied teams.

That's why I like to do a random draw for the starting hole....

 

[Grinde6]

Is time an issue?  I would do a playoff hole...if time is an issue I would take them back to the 150 yard mark and all players on both teams get to hit, closest to the pin wins.  If there isn't any time for that either, then going by handicap hole is the best way to do it IMO. 

[kymonopoly]

1 hour ago, Grinde6 said:

Is time an issue?  I would do a playoff hole...if time is an issue I would take them back to the 150 yard mark and all players on both teams get to hit, closest to the pin wins.  If there isn't any time for that either, then going by handicap hole is the best way to do it IMO. 

Yes, time is an issue.  Because of the time of day that we play (cheaper rates and after church) once in a while it gets a little bit darker.  

1 hour ago, Shooting29 said:

Scorecard playoff like what @David in FL said, only thing we do different is we go back on the #1 handicap hole and keep going until there is a winner. Of course what ever you decide have it posted prominently prior to the start that way nobody cries about you choosing a tie breaker that is more advantageous to one of the tied teams.

I have always made sure that the tiebreaker is stated for that reason.  Nothing like pissing off your friends to make a day of golf complete.  

1 hour ago, David in FL said:

The easiest way, and probably most popular, is to just have a sudden death "scorecard" play off.  Pick a hole to start...it can be 1 going forward, 18 going backward, or any hole drawn at random.  Then just compare the 2 scorecards hole by hole. The first team that wins a hole, is your winner.

 

I never thought of that as an option.  I guess I was thinking something more "skill-based" when I came up with the ideas.  However, I do like the intrigue and randomness of this idea.  Even more to think about.  

[Gator Hazard]

Draw straws between both teams. Two guys with the longest straws wrestle for the win. 

Or you could do a one hole playoff as suggested, I guess there is that too. The 150 yard marker idea is good as well. Could have all members hit and cumulative closest to pin wins. 

[kymonopoly]

2 minutes ago, Gator Hazard said:

Draw straws between both teams. Two guys with the longest straws wrestle for the win. 

Or you could do a one hole playoff as suggested, I guess there is that too. The 150 yard marker idea is good as well. Could have all members hit and cumulative closest to pin wins. 

I'm all for a little bit of violence.  Good suggestion

[Club Rat]

In a PGA Tour sudden death playoff, players play the 18th hole (spectators are all there)

A scorecard playoff starting with the 18th, then 17, then 16, then continue with hole 1 until a team wins.

Scorecard playoffs are quicker, but having everyone watch a playoff is exciting.

[Denny Bang Bang]

@kymonopoly I set up a small tournament every year, for about 6 years.  If there was a tie, we would go to the practice area, and hole out from like 30 yds in.

Or you could always go beer league style... whoever shotguns a beer fastest, wins any dispute or tie breaker.

 

[DrvFrShow]

I like the playoff hole. 

[kymonopoly]

23 hours ago, Club Rat said:

In a PGA Tour sudden death playoff, players play the 18th hole (spectators are all there)

A scorecard playoff starting with the 18th, then 17, then 16, then continue with hole 1 until a team wins.

Scorecard playoffs are quicker, but having everyone watch a playoff is exciting.

I agree that it would be more exciting to have a playoff hole but the course probably won't  allow it unless we pay more.  More exciting is why I thought about the "putt off".

22 hours ago, Denny Bang Bang said:

@kymonopoly I set up a small tournament every year, for about 6 years.  If there was a tie, we would go to the practice area, and hole out from like 30 yds in.

Or you could always go beer league style... whoever shotguns a beer fastest, wins any dispute or tie breaker.

 

I like the idea of a short game playoff.  The beer thing wouldn't work very well with it being a church thing.