Pool Settings Explained: Scoring, Cuts & Penalties

1. Why Pool Settings Matter

• Pool settings determine how your pool picks winners. Two pools can use the same players and end up with completely different results if their scoring formats differ.
• Settings are chosen by the host when creating the pool. Members agree to them when they join.
• If you're the host, spend a minute thinking through what format works for your group before inviting anyone. Changing settings after members join — and especially after the draft opens — is not allowed.

2. Scoring Formats: The Big Four

• Beat The Cut supports four scoring formats: Score to Par, Pick N, Best N of X, and Custom.
• Most casual pools are perfectly served by Score to Par or Pick N. Best N of X is popular with larger, more competitive groups. Custom is for experienced pool runners who want total control.
• Your choice of format should match the experience level of your group. A group of golf-casual office colleagues will struggle with Best N of X. A group of golf addicts will find Score to Par too simple.

3. How Score to Par Works

• This is the simplest format and the best starting point for new pools.
• Each member picks a set number of golfers. Your pool score is the combined total of all your players' scores relative to par. Under par is good (negative numbers). Over par is bad (positive numbers).
• Example: You pick four players. They finish at -8, -3, +2, and +4. Your total score is -5. Lowest total wins.
• The cut penalty and WD penalty apply here if a player gets eliminated or withdraws. Those strokes get added to that player's score.
• Works great for: first-time pools, office pools, casual friend groups.

4. How Pick N Works

• Members pick a larger group of players, but only their top N scores count toward the pool total.
• Example: You pick 6 players, but only the top 3 scores count. Your best performers carry you; your bad picks don't sink you.
• This format rewards depth of research and reduces the randomness of one bad pick ruining your week.
• Works great for: pools where members want to take more risk on longshots without getting burned.

5. How Best N of X Works

• Members pick X players total, and the best N of them count. Similar to Pick N but with a structured constraint on the draft.
• Example: Pick 6 players (that's your X), best 4 scores count (that's your N). You have two "throwaway" picks built in.
• This format is common in larger, more experienced pools. It creates more strategy around which players to draft and which ones to use as insurance picks.
• Works great for: competitive pools with members who follow golf closely and want a more strategic draft.

6. Custom Scoring (Advanced)

• Custom scoring lets hosts configure point values at a granular level — birdies, eagles, bogeys, and more can each carry a point multiplier.
• This is designed for pool runners who've done this before and want something beyond stroke play.
• If you're not sure whether you need custom scoring, you probably don't. Start with Score to Par and move up as your pool matures.
• Custom settings require the host to configure each scoring event manually and test the output before the tournament starts.

7. Cut Penalty and WD Penalty

• Cut penalty: In professional golf, the field is trimmed after Round 2. Players above the cut line go home. In your pool, if a member picked one of those eliminated players, those players stop adding strokes — but your pool can apply a penalty on top of their final score.
  • Example: Your player finishes Round 2 at +4 and misses the cut. With a 5-stroke cut penalty, their total becomes +9. That hurts.
  • Common values: 0 (no penalty), 5 strokes, 8 strokes. The host decides.
• WD penalty: A withdrawal happens when a player stops mid-tournament — often due to injury. If your drafted player withdraws after Round 1, they're done. The WD penalty adds strokes on top of wherever they stopped.
  • Example: Your player withdraws after shooting -2 in Round 1. With a 10-stroke WD penalty, their total contribution is +8.
  • Common values: 5 or 10 strokes. The host decides.
• Both penalties can be set to 0 if you want a more forgiving pool. Higher penalties create more drama and punish bad luck harder.

8. Member Limits

• Free-tier pools: up to 4 members (not counting the host). The pool locks to new members once it hits 4.
• Paid tiers (Single Event, Majors, Full Tour): unlimited members. Invite as many people as you want.
• Member limits don't affect scoring — they only determine how many people can join the pool.
• If you're running a large office pool or a league, you'll need a paid tier. See beatthecut.com/pricing for details.

9. When Can You Change Settings?

• Settings can be changed anytime before the tournament's draft locks. Once the draft lock countdown reaches zero, settings are frozen.
• This is intentional: members have agreed to the settings when they joined. Changing them mid-tournament would be unfair.
• If you need to make a settings change after the pool is created but before the draft opens, go to pool settings. Members are not automatically notified of changes, so communicate any updates to your group.
• Per-tournament settings (available on advanced tiers): you can configure different scoring formats, cuts, and penalties for each individual tournament your pool runs. Useful if you want stricter rules for majors than for regular events.