Gruesomes Golf Format: The Rules of Greensome in Reverse
Gruesomes — also called Bloodsomes — is Greensome in reverse. As in Greensome, both players on each team tee off on every hole, then the team carries on with alternate shots until the ball is holed. The difference, deliciously cruel: you do not choose your ball — the opposing team chooses the one you will have to play, and of course it always picks the worse one; that is the rule of the game. The immediate consequence: no tee shot can be sacrificed. Both have to be good, since it is the weaker one that will count. This constant pressure, and the great moments of gamesmanship when it is time to choose the other team's ball, are what give this format for 4 players, in 2 teams of 2, all its spice. It is scored as Match play (by holes) or Stroke play (by total), your choice — and the app takes care of everything else.
▶ The rule in 60 seconds, in French with English subtitles — the Game of Swing channel
How to play Gruesomes, hole by hole
- Form 2 teams of 2 players. On every hole, both players on each team tee off.
- The opposing team chooses the ball to be played. It always picks the worse one — hence the name “Gruesomes”.
- Carry on with alternate shots until the ball is holed from the chosen ball, as in Greensome.
- Score with the format you chose: Match play (by holes), with the score shown as UP / DOWN / All Square — or Stroke play (by total), with total strokes.
- End of the game: in Match play, the team that wins the most holes wins; in Stroke play, the lowest total wins.
Camille and Hugo take on Inès and Théo, at Match play. Hole 1: Camille finds the fairway, Hugo the woods → Inès and Théo naturally choose Hugo's ball. Despite a good chip back out by Camille, the team scrapes a 6; on the other side, the worse ball they were given was still playable: Inès and Théo card a 5 and take the hole → 1 UP. They never let the lead go: victory 3&2 (5 holes won to 2, 9 halved — the match ends on the 16th).
Match play or Stroke play: the app's two variants
The scoring format is chosen in the setup in the app:
- Match play (by holes): the score is shown as UP / DOWN / All Square, and every hole is a duel — the most widely played format, where choosing the other team's ball becomes a real tactical move.
- Stroke play (by total): the total strokes over the whole course decide between the teams — every mistake weighs right to the end.
Why Gruesomes is so popular
Because no tee shot can be sacrificed: both have to be good, since it is the worse one that will be played. Delicious pressure — and great moments of gamesmanship when your opponents choose your ball in the woods. On the strategy side, do not go for two heroic shots: two decent tee shots are better than one superb and one lost. And when it is your turn to choose the other team's ball, think about the next shot: a tricky lie sometimes costs more than a ball that is merely short.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Gruesomes and Greensome?
The sequence is the same — two tee shots per team, then alternate shot until the ball is holed — but the choice of ball is reversed: in Greensome, the team picks its better ball; in Gruesomes, the opposing team chooses the ball to be played, and it always picks the worse one.
Who chooses the ball to be played in Gruesomes?
The opposing team. After each team's two tee shots, the opponents choose the one that must be played — and they always pick the worse one, that is the rule of the game. Alternate shot then resumes from the chosen ball.
Is Gruesomes played as match play or stroke play?
Both, to be chosen in the setup. In Match play (by holes), the score is shown as UP / DOWN / All Square and the team that wins the most holes wins. In Stroke play (by total), the lowest total of strokes over the whole course wins.
Does Gruesomes go by another name?
Yes, it is also known as Bloodsomes. Both names refer to the same team format: two tee shots, the worse one chosen by the opponents, then alternate shot until the ball is holed.
Every format on a single page: step-by-step rules, a worked example, the points scale and a strategy tip — to read the night before a round or to print. The free sample covers 10 formats, including the 5 you can play for free in the app; Gruesomes is in the complete guide.
Download the free sample →PDF · 14 pages · direct download, no email needed · the complete guide covers all 41 formats
Your next team duel, the wicked version
On every hole, the Game of Swing app guides your opponents through choosing your ball, then records the score and keeps the UP / DOWN or the total live. Gruesomes is waiting in the catalogue of 41 formats — with 5 free games to get you started.
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