Canadian Greensomes
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Canadian Greensomes (also called Chapman Pairs) is a pairs format where both players drive, then swap before the best ball is selected. It uses the same handicap formula as standard greensomes — but the rules are distinct.
Handicap formula
Canadian Greensomes uses the same Playing Handicap formula as standard greensomes: (lower Course Handicap × 0.6) + (higher Course Handicap × 0.4), rounded to the nearest whole number.
How Canadian Greensomes works
This is where it differs from standard greensomes. The sequence on each hole is:
Player A and Player B both tee off.
Player A plays Player B's drive for the second shot, and vice versa. This is the defining swap step that sets Canadian apart from standard greensomes.
After both second shots are played, the team selects the better of the two positions.
The player whose second shot was NOT chosen plays the third shot, and the team alternates until the ball is holed.
In standard greensomes, the team chooses the best drive and the other player plays the second shot. In Canadian Greensomes, both players must play the other person's drive before a choice is made at the third shot. This means neither player can rely on selecting the drive that suits them — they must play the other's ball.
The handicap formula
PH = (lower Course HCP × 0.6) + (higher Course HCP × 0.4)
Shot difference = higher team PH − lower team PH
Common questions
Why is it called Canadian Greensomes?
The origin of the name is disputed — it's not clearly linked to Canada in its rules or history. In North America it's often called Chapman Pairs or Chapman System after golfer Dick Chapman, who helped popularise it. In the UK and Ireland, Canadian Greensomes is the standard term. The format is the same regardless of what it's called.
Why use the same handicap formula as greensomes?
The 60/40 weighting reflects that the better player's second shot (played from the partner's drive) is more likely to be selected. Because the better player tends to recover more effectively from any lie, their influence on the team score is greater — the same logic that underlies the standard greensomes formula. In practice, some clubs run Canadian Greensomes at 50/50 (same as foursomes) — agree the method before you play.
Is Canadian Greensomes harder than standard greensomes?
Generally yes. In standard greensomes you have two attempts at the drive and pick the best one before alternating. In Canadian Greensomes, you commit to each other's ball for the second shot — you can't avoid playing a bad tee shot. The swap adds an extra element of challenge that higher-handicappers can find punishing. It rewards partnerships with consistent ball-striking from both players.
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