Ladder Tournament

Type Match
Alias Ladder Competition
Format Tournament
Number of players 2, 3, 4+
Team or Individual play Individual
  • A Ladder Tournament takes place over an extended period of time. The tournament bracket or ladder is posted for all to see, and players issue challenges to other players and set up matches.
  • In a Ladder Tournament, players from lower ladders can challenge players above them. Only players from lower ranks can issue a challenge in this tournament, i.e., Player Number 6 can challenge Player Number 5, but not the other way around.
  • The goal of the Ladder Tournament is to reach the top of the ladder by a certain day. The player at the top at the end of the tournament, which usually ends after 6 months, is announced as the winner of the tournament.
  • If the challenging player (Player A, for example) wins, they switch places with the challenged player (Player B) and move one spot up the ladder. On the other hand, if Player A loses, Player B maintains their position on the ladder, but Player A can’t issue another challenge until they have been challenged by another player and defended their position on the ladder.
  • Immediate rematches are allowed only in the event of a tie.

Variation:

Rules of a Ladder Tournament vary, depending on the tournament organizers:

  • Challenges have to be accepted by players until specified otherwise.
  • Generally, players can only challenge players up to three spots above them on the ladder.
  • ¾ or full handicaps may be used in a Ladder Tournament.
  • Matches have to be played within one or two weeks of the challenge.
  • The matches may be 9 holes or 18 holes.