Golf · Level 1: Beginner · Sub-level 1.1

The Game and Its Formats

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 13 October 2026 · markdown

Holes and rounds, stroke play and match play, team formats and the shorter ways to play.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Strokes and holesTake a test

Most courses have 18 holes; many players also play nine.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
A nine-hole round is a popular quicker option.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
A swing at the ball counts even if it misses; a practice swing does not.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 (Definitions) · recall
Every stroke on every hole is added up.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 · recall
The teeing area is marked by two tee markers.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 (Definitions) · recall
The ball must come to rest in the hole.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 (Definitions) · recall
A round is usually 18 holes, played in the order the course sets.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 (Definitions) · recall
Two shots to reach the green and two putts make par on a par 4.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
A 36-hole final is two full rounds.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Fewer strokes is better, whatever the format.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied

Test 2Match playTake a test

Each hole is a small contest of its own.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 · recall
Strokes only decide who wins the hole.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 · recall
A halved hole changes nothing in the match score.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 · recall
Both sides have won the same number of holes.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
A dormie player cannot lose the match in regulation holes.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
With 3 up and only 2 to play, the match is decided.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Points are won by winning matches, not by total strokes.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Up means ahead in holes; down means behind.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied
B cannot catch up with only one hole left.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
'2 up' counts holes won, not strokes.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall

Test 3Team formatsTake a test

Foursomes is also called alternate shot.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 22 · recall
The order of tee shots stays the same for the round.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 22.3 · recall
Each partner plays their own ball.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 23 · recall
Every player hits again from the chosen spot.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
It mixes four-ball's tee shots with foursomes' alternate shots.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
The team only needs one good shot each time.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Two partners play against two partners.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 23 · recall
The partners take turns with the same ball.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 22 · recall
Choosing the best shot each time keeps scores low.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Partners 1 and 2 take turns with a single ball.
Source: The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 22 · applied

Test 4Short and casual formatsTake a test

It is a quick, cheap way into the game.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Nine holes fits more easily into a day.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Players hit many balls towards targets.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Most clubs have one near the first tee.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
If a hole is tied, its prize often carries over to the next.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Every stroke counts towards the total.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
It is played with a putter only.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Holes get longer as the courses get bigger.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Short holes and fewer holes take less time.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · recall
Every hole is short enough to reach the green from the tee.
Source: General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides) · applied

Sources

The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf 2023 (Definitions) and Equipment Rules, the World Handicap System Rules of Handicapping, and general golf references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Rule-by-rule procedures belong to the Rules of Golf category.

General golf reference (club, teaching and course guides)26
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023 (Definitions)4
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 20234
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 223
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 232
The R&A and USGA, Rules of Golf 2023, Rule 22.31