The Friends Ryder Cup Captain's Playbook

So you are a captain. Congratulations. You now have a job: pick pairings, set lineups, keep spirits up, and take the blame if it goes wrong.

Here is a playbook.

Your three jobs

1. Pairings for team sessions.
2. Lineup order for every session, especially singles.
3. Morale. Keep your team loose and believing.

Before the trip

Do your homework.

• Learn each player's game. Long or short? Steady or streaky? Good putter?
• Ask your players who they like playing with.
• Ask about early tee times. Some people are not morning golfers.

Make notes. You will forget by day two.

Pairing strategy

Pairings win cups. Think about format.

Four-ball (best ball)

Each player plays their own ball. Best score counts.

• Pair a steady player with a streaky one. The steady player makes pars. The streaky one makes birdies.
• Avoid two very streaky players. Too many holes where both blow up.
• Mix long and short hitters for different angles into greens.

Foursomes (alternate shot)

Partners share one ball.

• Pair similar games. Two steady players work best.
• Decide who tees off on odd holes by looking at the par 3s. Put your best iron player on them.

Scramble

Both players hit. Pick the best.

• Pair a long hitter with a great putter.
• Use it for your weakest players. They contribute more in a scramble.

Lineup order

Order matters most in singles. A few classic approaches.

Front-load

Best players first. Build early momentum. The scoreboard fills with your color, and the back groups feel it.

Back-load

Best players last. If the cup is close, your strongest are on the course when it matters.

Balanced

Strong, medium, strong, medium. Hard to predict. Hard to plan against.

There is no right answer. Pick one and commit. Second-guessing at breakfast helps nobody.

Reading the other captain

In friends cups, you often know the other captain well. Use it.

• If they always front-load, put your steadiest players early to absorb it.
• If they hide a weaker player in the middle, put a strong player there.
• Blind reveals keep it fair. Both captains write lineups, swap at the same time.

Team talks

Keep them short.

• Night before: "Here are tomorrow's pairings. Here is why. Go to bed."
• First tee: one line. Something funny.
• Lunch when behind: "We need three points. Here is where they come from."
• Lunch when ahead: "Nothing is decided. Same again."

Never criticize a player in front of the team.

Handling a bad day

Your team will have a bad session. Plan for it.

1. Stay calm. Your players watch you.
2. Change one pairing, not all of them.
3. Give struggling players an easier format, like scramble.
4. Point at the math. "There are still six points in singles."

Using the live score

On the final day, the live score drives decisions. Know which matches you need. Walk to the ones that matter. A captain's presence on a tight match can lift a player.

A live team scoreboard everyone can see helps. MATCHUPS puts it on the lock screen for two equal teams of 4, 8 or 12, on iPhone and Apple Watch. It scores Match, Best Ball, Scramble, Skins and more, over one to five rounds. Hosting is free with 4 players and a one-time $49.99 for 8 or 12. It does not run on Android or support uneven teams.

See all options in our Ryder Cup app comparison for friends.

What about odd numbers?

If your group has 9 or 10 players, a two-team cup with equal sides needs a fix. Options:

• Recruit to 12.
• A floater who plays for both teams, with no points.
• Use an app that supports other sizes. Golf GameBook's Reds vs Blues lists up to 72 players. Squabbit's free plan lists unlimited players.

MATCHUPS needs exactly 4, 8 or 12.

Captain's checklist

• Know every player's game before the trip.
• Plan pairings for each team session, with a backup.
• Decide your singles strategy the night before.
• Keep team talks under a minute.
• Watch the live score on the final day and walk to the tight matches.
• Lose gracefully. Win more gracefully.

After it is over

Win or lose:

• Shake hands with the other captain first.
• Thank your team, by name.
• Write a page in the captain's book. See our friends Ryder Cup traditions.

Then start planning your revenge, or your defense.

About the publisher: Captain's Pick is made by the MATCHUPS team. MATCHUPS runs friends Ryder Cups on iPhone and Apple Watch, with two equal teams of 4, 8 or 12. Free on the App Store · matchupsgolf.com

FAQ

What does a Ryder Cup captain do?

Sets pairings and lineups, and keeps the team's morale up.

How should you pair players in four-ball?

Pair a steady player with a streaky one, so one makes pars and the other chases birdies.

What order should singles be in?

Front-load, back-load or balanced. Pick one and commit.