If you’re reading this you’ve likely been invited to or heard about a golf tournament that features the AM AM format. This tournament style is quite easy to understand yet many golfers are still unsure exactly how it works.
The term AM AM in golf is short for amateur, amateur. This means it is a tournament in which multiple amateurs are paired up to form a team. Generally, AM-AM tournaments will use Stableford scoring to determine the winner.
This article is going to break down the common rules of an AM AM tournament as well as explain Stableford scoring. Once you have completed the article you should be ready to play in your next golf tournament.
Generic AM AM Tournament
As we covered earlier term, AM AM means amateur amateur though that is not all you need to know about this format. There is actually a traditional scoring system and rules that come with AM AM tournaments in golf.
Stableford Scoring
Typically these tournaments use Stableford Scoring and the best two scores among the team.
Stableford scoring adds and subtracts points to your score based on the result of the hole. With this scoring system, it is the highest scoring team that wins.
Here is a look at the Stableford Scoring system
- Double Eagle: 8 points
- Eagle: 5 points
- Birdie: 2 points
- Par: 0 points
- Bogey: -1 point
- Double Bogey or more: -3 points
Though these aren’t always the rules when you play an AM AM tournament you will find that the majority of the time it will be best ball format that uses Stableford scoring.
Another factor about AM AM tournaments is that you know they are only meant for amateur golfers. This means if you enter one of these tournaments you will not be playing with any golf pros.
AM AM is also used when playing in a Pro-AM. If you can’t already tell by the name a Pro-AM features a pro and an amateur golfer.
Though, these tournaments also include celebrities. If you are an amateur golfer that is being paired up with a celebrity instead of a professional the term AM AM will be used.
What Is An Amateur In Golf
An amateur in golf is simply someone that does not make any sort of living from the game. An amateur golfer plays the game but does not receive money for playing, teaching, or for any sort of golfing skills or reputation.
Players that earn money from playing in golf tournaments or are card-carrying tour players are considered professionals and not amateurs.
Concluding Thoughts
Remember an Am AM golf tournament simply refers to a tournament that features only amateur golfers. That being said these types of tournaments will often use specific scoring systems such as the Stableford method.
We hope you learned everything you need to know about AM AM so you are ready for your next tournament. If you want to learn more ways to play the game of golf check out our guides to playing a game of flags or playing a golf dogfight.