SWAT

A “SWAT” in golf stands for “Single Without A Time” and is a betting game where a group of players, usually divided into teams of equal handicap, play a match-play format against every other team on the course.

The game is a time-honored tradition at Oakmont Country Club. Oakmont hosts weekly SWAT and has an official SWAT chairman who keeps track of all the team scores.  See the story HERE…

SWAT is a “Round Robin” style competition where each team plays against every other team. “Single” refers to the fact that each team scores just one ball per hole, typically using a best-ball format within the team. “Without A Time” refers to the fact that the teams don’t have to be playing at the same time.

Typically, players submit their name and handicap and let one “Chairperson” organize the teams. Keeping the teams even is a goal of the game and part of the charm of it all.  In a club setting, players get to meet and play with people they ordinarily wouldn’t. It’s a great format for building camaraderie.

How to Play SWAT:

The game pits multiple teams against each other in a round robin format.  Decide if you are going to play Net or Gross.  Historically, the game has been played gross with teams being formed with balanced handicaps.  It can be played using Net scores if it’s difficult to balance the handicaps on teams.

• Form Teams when using Gross Scores:

The Chairperson divides the players into teams of equal handicap, usually with four players per team, labeled A (lowest handicap) to D (highest handicap).

• Decide on a betting format:

Will it be simple Match Play for best team vs team score, or will it be a Nassau format?  Remember, you are playing against multiple teams so the wins or loses can grow exponentially.

• Match-Play:

Each team plays a full round against every other team, competing on a hole-by-hole basis to determine who wins each hole.

• Best Ball Scoring:

Within each team, the best score on each hole is used for the match-play comparison against the other teams.

• Betting Structure:

Set an amount each team is wagering against the others or use an ante and divide the pot accordingly. Most common is a Nassau betting structure so that each team has three opportunities to win. If you have many teams, you could pay out for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd place.

• Scoring and Payout:

After the round, calculate the wins and losses for each team against every other team, and settle up based on the agreed-upon betting structure. A simple spreadsheet will help organize the scoring results.

Key Points about SWATs:

• Variety of Matchups:

The “round robin” style ensures each team plays against every other team, creating a diverse challenges and keeping the competition exciting throughout the round.

• Handicap Balancing:

By forming teams with balanced handicaps, the game remains fair for players of different skill levels.

• High Stakes Potential:

Depending on the stakes set, a SWAT can become a very competitive and high-pressure game.

 

See an article about the game with scoring samples in Golf Digest.