1. Decide the format
Stroke play is the easiest place to start: everyone posts a score and the lowest wins the week. Stableford is kinder to high handicaps because one blow-up hole costs a few points, not the round. Match play needs pairings every week — better for a second season.
2. Gross or net
Gross ranks raw scores and suits a group within a few shots of each other. Net subtracts handicap strokes so a 20 and a 6 can both win. If your group spans more than about eight shots, play net.
3. Set a window, not a tee time
Adults with jobs can't all play Saturday at eight. Give each week a course and a window (say Monday to Sunday) and let everyone play when they can. The first round posted in the window is the one that counts, which stops anyone playing three times and keeping the best.
4. Agree how scores are trusted
Decide before week one: does somebody else keep your card? Does it have to be hole by hole? What happens to a score far below someone's usual? Settling these later always feels personal.
5. Keep the table simple
Points by finishing position (tour-style) beat totals, because one bad week doesn't end a season. Let everyone drop their worst week or two. Double points for a final week gives the season an ending.