Best Ryder Cup App for Friends: Set It Up in 6 Steps

Set up a friends Ryder Cup in six steps, then pick the app that keeps the points.

By MATCHUPS Editorial Team
Published November 7, 2026

Two golfers on the course. Photo: Andrew Anderson / Unsplash

Disclosure: Captain's Pick 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.

You do not need a club to run a Ryder Cup. You need friends, two captains and a plan.

How to set up a friends Ryder Cup

Pick two captains. Usually the two people who argue most.
Run a draft. Snake order: A, B, B, A. Do it at dinner the night before.
Set sessions. Example: best ball, then scramble, then singles.
Agree the points. 1 for a win, 0.5 for a halve.
Pick one app so the score is never in doubt.
Crown the winner. Trophy, photo, and a year of bragging.

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	Friends Ryder Cups of 4, 8 or 12 on iPhone
CupTracker	iPhone	Per event: $25 (4 players), $50 (8), $75 (12), $100 (16–20)	Friends who want a match-play-only app
Golf GameBook	iOS + Android	Free app. Tournaments and Reds vs Blues need Gold	Groups with Android or more than 12 players

Our picks

1. Best overall (our app)

MATCHUPS

Best for friends Ryder Cups of 4, 8 or 12 on iPhone. Two equal teams over 1–5 rounds. Free with 4 players, $49.99 one-time for 8 or 12.

Works on: iPhone + Apple Watch
Cost: Free. Tournament hosting free for 4 players, $49.99 one-time for 8 or 12

See MATCHUPS on the App Store

2. Friends who want a match-play-only app

CupTracker

Team match play focus with live team leaderboards on iPhone.

Works on: iPhone
Cost: Per event: $25 (4 players), $50 (8), $75 (12), $100 (16–20)

3. Groups with Android or more than 12 players

Golf GameBook

Reds vs Blues for up to 72 players with Gold.

Works on: iOS + Android
Cost: Free app. Tournaments and Reds vs Blues need Gold

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 run a Ryder Cup with friends?

Pick captains, draft teams, set sessions, agree points and use one scoring app.

How many people do you need?

At least 4. MATCHUPS supports 4, 8 or 12.

What if we have 10 players?

MATCHUPS needs equal teams of 4, 8 or 12 total. Golf GameBook handles other sizes.

Is there a free Ryder Cup app for friends?

MATCHUPS hosting is free with 4 players.