Golf Buddies Trip App + Planning Guide
How to plan the trip, and which golf buddies trip app keeps score, teams and side games in one place.
Disclosure: Fourball Field Notes is made by the MATCHUPS team, so MATCHUPS is our top pick and we say so. Details on other apps come from their own websites and app store pages, checked in November 2026.
This is a guide first. Use it to plan the trip, then pick the app at the bottom.
Pick a format
- Even group of 8? Split into two teams and play for a cup.
- Odd numbers? Play stroke play with a daily skins pot.
- Wide skill range? Scramble on day one so nobody gets buried early.
3-day schedule template
- Day 1, arrival round: 2-man scramble. Low stress, fast play.
- Day 2, the big day: best ball in the morning, match play in the afternoon.
- Day 3, getaway round: singles. Every point counts.
- Night: awards and settling up.
Side games that work
- Skins: win a hole outright, take the skin.
- High/Low: points for best and worst ball on each team.
- Hammer: double the bet mid-hole. Accept or concede.
- Closest to the pin on par 3s.
Mistakes to avoid
- Too many games at once. Pick two.
- Teams picked by the organizer alone. Draft them.
- Paper scorecards. Someone always loses one.
At a glance
| App | Platforms | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MATCHUPS | iPhone + Apple Watch | Free. Tournament hosting free for 4 players, $49.99 one-time for 8 or 12 | iPhone groups who want team play plus awards |
| Squabbit | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch (App Store listing) | Free core (unlimited players). Tournament Pro $29.99/event or $99.99/yr | Free scoring across trips and leagues |
| 18Birdies | iPhone + Android, Wear OS | Free tournaments and leagues. Optional Premium | Groups with Android phones |
Our picks
1) MATCHUPS — iPhone groups who want team play plus awards
Scramble, Best Ball, Skins, High/Low, Low/Low and Hammer. End-of-trip awards. (Yes, this one is ours.)
iPhone + Apple Watch · Free. Tournament hosting free for 4 players, $49.99 one-time for 8 or 12
2) Squabbit — Free scoring across trips and leagues
Free core with Ryder Cup format and group chat.
iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch (App Store listing) · Free core (unlimited players). Tournament Pro $29.99/event or $99.99/yr
3) 18Birdies — Groups with Android phones
Free tournaments plus side games like Nassau and Wolf.
iPhone + Android, Wear OS · Free tournaments and leagues. Optional Premium
What MATCHUPS does not do
No Android. No Nassau, Wolf or Stableford. No GHIN sync. Tournaments are exactly two equal teams of 4, 8 or 12 players. If you need any of that, pick another app above.
FAQ
How do you plan a golf buddies trip?
Lock dates, pick a format, set a schedule, then choose one scoring app for everyone.
What side games are best for a buddies trip?
Skins and Hammer are easy to learn. MATCHUPS scores both.
What app should a golf buddies trip use?
MATCHUPS for iPhone groups. 18Birdies if anyone is on Android.
Can MATCHUPS handle Wolf or Nassau?
No. 18Birdies lists both.
More reading
- The 3-Day Golf Buddies Trip Itinerary
- The Golf Trip Rules Sheet: 10 Rules to Agree Before You Leave
- Golf Buddies Trip Packing List (Including What Everyone Forgets)
- Odd Numbers on a Golf Trip: What to Do With 5, 7 or 9 Players
- MATCHUPS vs Golf GameBook for a Buddies Trip
- Golf Trip App vs Group Chat vs Paper Scorecard
We are the MATCHUPS team. Our app runs the scoring, teams and side games for a buddies trip on iPhone and Apple Watch. It is free to download. App Store | matchupsgolf.com