Do you need a fun new format for your next round of golf (or your next golf trip)? If so, you’ll love the quota system – also known as the dogfight in golf.
No it’s not a Top Gun reference either (although you might feel like Maverick if you win). This is a unique format that is typically a league or event. It’s a lot less common than a scramble or four-ball event but just as much, if not more fun.
Today I’ll walk you through the dogfight in golf to learn why you should consider finding this type of format.
Key Takeaways
- A dogfight in golf is a unique format played over nine holes where players are given a quota based on their handicaps.
- Each player will accumulate scores which translate to points like a Stableford style event.
- The player or team who beats their quota by the largest margin wins the game.
- It’s common to play two or three sets of nine holes as this style of play is usually a part of a member-member or member-guest tournament.
Keep reading to learn more about the scoring and format in this type of tournament.
Dogfight in Golf
Most competitions – like Banker or Nassau – are played during 18 holes. However, the quota system is a little different and instead, a nine hole event. Most dogfights have 2-3 nine hole competitions on the same day.
Dogfights can be solo or team events too. It’s also a handicap based tournament unlike a gross competition where no handicaps are involved. This makes it a more inviting tournament for mid and higher handicap golfers.
If you don’t have a handicap yet, make sure to read our guide about it here.
Golf DogFight claimed it’s the “fairest game in golf.” Here is their full description of this unique scoring system.
“In a golf dogfight or points game, each member in the points game group is assigned a quota. A quota is a number based on a player’s past performance (for example: the average of a player’s last ten round’s point totals).
In a points game, instead of competing by stroke play (fewest strokes wins), players are awarded points for each hole. The object of a points game is to beat your quota.”
Now that you have an overview of the format, let’s get into the scoring which is a little more complex than some games.
Scoring a Quota Golf Tournament
There are several ways to score this type of event. The table below shows one of the most common methods.
As you can see, the lower the handicap the higher the quota.
| Handicap | Quota |
| 29-30 | 5 |
| 27-28 | 6 |
| 25-26 | 7 |
| 23-24 | 8 |
| 21-22 | 9 |
| 19-20 | 10 |
| 17-18 | 11 |
| 15-16 | 12 |
| 13-14 | 13 |
| 11-12 | 14 |
| 9-10 | 15 |
| 7-8 | 16 |
| 5-6 | 17 |
| 3-4 | 18 |
| 2 or less | 19 |
The other way to score this type of event is based on previous performance. This is common with multiple day events.
For example, at a course near me, they have a member-member with three nine holes matches each day. The quota changes based on the previous nine hole score and the first round is based on handicap only.
Quota Using Stableford
Once handicaps are used to establish quotas, the next part of this tournament is understanding the scoring method. Because if you’re like most golfers, you’re probably confused how handicaps correlate to quotas.
This is done using a Stableford method of scoring… which is a very fun way to play a stroke play type of event. As you know, the goal of golf is to have the lowest score possible. But in a Stableford, the goal is to have the most points at the end of the round.
So, how do scores correlate to points? By understanding how each score relates to a certain number of points.
This also depends on if you’re playing standard or modified Stableford. Standard Stableford is how the pros play in competition and it removes points for bogeys or worse.
While a modified Stableford is more common with amateur golfers and can also help speed up pace of play as a double or worse is zero points (meaning players can just pick up if they’re en route to a blow up hole).
Below is a breakdown of each type of scoring method in a dog fight.
| Score to Par | Original Stableford | Modified Stableford |
| Double bogey or worse | -3 | 0 |
| Bogey | -1 | 1 |
| Par | 0 | 2 |
| Birdie | 2 | 3 |
| Eagle | 5 | 4 |
| Double eagle for better | 8 | 5 |
Depending on the organizer, there might be some adjustments to the scoring system. For example, some clubs might have -1 for a triple bogey or worse. While others might reward more points for an eagle than the system above.
Click here to read our full guide about Stableford scoring.
Variations of Quota System
As mentioned above, a dogfight is a nine hole event unlike most formats, which is great for men’s, women’s, or twilight leagues. However, there is a different format sometimes if it’s a team event. While it’s still a nine hole match vs. another two players, the total scoring might be different.
This is known as a 7-2 scoring. For two holes, each player must play individually and tally the scores up based on the Stableford scoring. For the other seven holes, it’s a scramble format between you and your partner.
This makes the two holes of individual play (which are established before the round) a lot more nerve wracking. While a scramble format is a lot more inviting and easier since you have a partner to help.
How to Keep Score of Quota System
As you can imagine, this is a bit of a mess to score a dogfight as handicaps and Stableford system is involved. Golf Dog Fight is a good app that can help and remove the hassle of scoring, so players can focus on their game. This software calculates quotas, has a member dashboard, and makes it easy to manage multiple groups.
If your club doesn’t pay for this app, you can use other golf apps to track Stableford scoring. Then the club organizer can figure out handicaps and everything else after the round to determine winnings and payouts.
Pros and Cons of a Dogfight in Golf
Like all types of games, there are pros and cons.
Pros
- New format.
- Nine holes equals faster play.
- Good mix of solo and team play.
- Handicaps make it fun for all types of golfers.
- Stableford scoring is always a great time and encourages birdies or better for more points.
Cons
- Hard to keep score.
- Complicated scoring system compared to other formats.
- Nine holes isn’t enough for some players and teams who prefer 18 (or more) holes.
- Scoring can be unfair if it’s dependent on your last round performance vs. your handicap. For example, if you play a phenomenal nine holes well outside your handicap range, it’s going to be nearly impossible to repeat the following nine holes.
FAQs About Golf Games
Do you have more questions about the quota system or other golf gambling games? If so, keep reading through the most frequently asked questions and answers now.
What is a Stableford in golf?
Stableford is a fun twist on a normal round of stroke play that rewards points for certain scores. For example, eagles are awarded more points than birdies and birdies are rewarded more than pars. Some Stableford scoring systems add in negative points for bogeys or doubles as well.
What is a quota game in golf?
A quota golf game is commonly referred to as a dogfight in golf. It’s a game that involves handicaps and Stableford scoring in a nine hole, team format. Scroll up for the full details to learn more about this exciting competition.
My Experience
I’ve only played this format a few times and it has been fun. But it’s a nightmare if you try to keep score yourself and highly recommend using an app so you can focus on golf.
In terms of the scoring, I do like it a lot as Stableford is a great way to mix up a stroke play competition. Plus you have handicaps involved, so anyone can play and it’s a team format which is always fun.
Final Thoughts
A dogfight is an incredibly fun format that I highly recommend you find a competition if possible. It’s most common to see this type of format in a member-member or member-guest tournament at your local country club.
If you’re looking for more golf formats and games, read these articles next.
Michael Leonard
Michael is an avid golfer of 25 years who played in high school, college, and now competes in Arizona amateur events. He is a full-time writer, podcast host of Wicked Smart Golf, and mental golf coach.
