Chapman Tournaments
Two players, switched drives, alternate shot — with handicaps done for you
Also known as the Pinehurst System or American Foursomes. The classic partner format for member-member events, and one of the truest tests of a two-player team.
Create Your Tournament →Works on mobile — on the course
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How Chapman Works
Four steps on every hole. The ball swap is what makes it Chapman.
Both Tee Off
Each partner hits a drive. Both balls stay in play.
Switch Balls
You play your partner's drive, and they play yours.
Pick the Better Ball
After both second shots, choose the one you want to finish with.
Alternate to the Hole
The partner who didn't hit the chosen shot plays next, then alternate until holed.
A hole, start to finish
On a par 4: you and your partner both drive. You play their drive and find the fringe; they play yours and find a bunker. You take the fringe ball — so because you hit it, they play the third. They chip, you putt, they hole out. Team score: 5.
One score per hole, entered once. Buddies on the Green handles the rest.
Handicaps, Calculated Automatically
The USGA-recommended Chapman allowance, applied to every team
60% of the low handicap + 40% of the high
Strokes are then allocated across holes by stroke index, and net scores update live.
Everything Your Event Needs
Two-Player Teams
Roster size is fixed at two — the app won't let a team be built wrong.
Live Leaderboard
Gross and net standings update as scores come in, with flight filtering.
One Score Per Hole
Mobile-first entry built for a single team score, with offline-safe drafts.
Flights
Split the field by handicap so teams compete against their own level.
Shotgun Starts
Assign teams to starting holes and run the whole field at once.
Guests Welcome
Partners without an account can still be added and scored.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chapman System in golf?
Chapman is a two-player team format. Both partners tee off, then they switch balls — each plays their partner's drive for the second shot. The team then selects the better of those two second shots and plays alternate shot with that ball until it's holed. The team records one score per hole.
Is Chapman the same as Pinehurst?
Yes. Chapman, Pinehurst System, Pinehurst Foursomes and American Foursomes all describe the same format. Buddies on the Green lists it as Chapman.
Who plays the third shot?
The partner whose second shot was NOT selected plays the third. From there the team simply alternates until the ball is holed.
How are Chapman handicaps calculated?
Per the USGA recommendation, the team handicap is 60% of the lower player's course handicap plus 40% of the higher player's, rounded to the nearest whole number. An 8 and a 16 produce a team handicap of 11. The app calculates this automatically.
Can I play Chapman with three or four players?
No. Chapman is defined by two partners swapping drives, so teams are always exactly two players. For larger teams, use Scramble, Best Ball or Shamble.
Is this a Premium feature?
Creating a Chapman tournament requires a Premium subscription. Playing in one is free — anyone added to a team can enter scores and follow the leaderboard.
Ready to Run Your Chapman Event?
Perfect for member-member tournaments, partner days, and any group that wants a real team test. Set it up in minutes.
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