Play vs. Par (Bogey Competition)

Treat par (or bogey) as an opponent who never misses. Take your handicap strokes on the stroke-index holes and compare your net score to par hole by hole: better is a win, worse is a loss, equal is a half. Your result is the net number of holes up or down after 18, exactly like a match. For a solo ghost match, replace par with the hole-by-hole scores from your previous or best-ever round.

Score +1 for each net win, -1 for each net loss, 0 for a half; a finish of +3 means three holes up on the course. Scratch players can play gross against par as a tour-pro simulation. Ghost version: whoever (you or your old card) wins more holes takes the match.

• Ghost match against your best-ever scorecard
• Play against bogey for a fairer target for higher handicaps
• Gross vs. par from the back tees
• Par competition (par target) vs bogey competition (bogey target)
• Four-ball par/bogey
• Bogey or Bust betting version

• Write the ghost's hole scores on the card before you start
• Play the honest net score; no gimmes
• Keep a running match status to feel the pressure
• Play for net par on stroke holes and pick up fast when out of it
• Birdies are worth no more than net pars, so don't force them