WHAT ARE DOUBLES?

Doubles, also know as Best Shot, is a great way for beginners to learn the game for two reasons: the first is that, in theory, bad shots are eliminated or don't count; the second is that at Sedgley, you will get to play with a good partner instead of your buddy's bad game. Frequently, these well-skilled players will give you tips and pointers to help improve your technique or strategy. It's like getting a golf lesson for a couple of bucks.

The best shot format is known as a "Scramble" in ball golf. To start, two golfers play together as a team competing against other teams. Both team members tee off and decide which shot is better. They will then play their next (second) shot from the better of their two drives after picking up the throw not being used. Theoretically, this is where bad golf shots are eliminated (unless both players throw bad shots).

For their second shot, both golfers again throw from the same spot with the better of the second shots being used. Play is continued this way until one of the team members completes the hole. Only one player from each team needs to make the "putt" for a hole to be completed. As in regular single player golf, you record the number of shots used it took to complete the hole as your score instead of the actual numbers of throws.

Different strategies come into play during doubles compared to playing solo. Often, one player will be conservative and 'lay up' on the second shot to ensure a par can be obtained on the hole. Then the second player can aggressively go for the basket without the fear of going too far to make the comeback putt. Beginner golfers should not feel bad about laying up as this is good practice for your solo game and gives your team-mate the chance to make a long shot. When using this strategy, the second played should never end up short of the basket!

Doubles at Sedgley Woods occur every Thursday and every Saturday. Doubles start after the league tag rounds on both of these days. On Thursdays, the start time is 2 hours before sunset, and on Saturdays, during Daylight Savings Time, is approximately 4:30pm (approximately 3:00pm during the rest of the year). Start times can be found on the calendar in our club newsletter, NiceUp!.

So come on out to Sedgley Woods for our doubles matches. It's a great way to improve your game, and an even better way to meet the other members of the club!