New balanced draft order explained
You and your friend are picking teams for a game. In the pool of players, there are different types of kids:
One player who's CLEARLY the best. Everyone wants them.
A few really solid kids who play well consistently.
Players who get lots of extra help that makes them super valuable.
First picker gets BOTH the best player AND a cheat-code help kid!
Each picker gets ONE big advantage. Balanced!
Here's the thing: Pick #5 (first pick in Round 3) is where the magic happens.
Some players get 24+ strokes of help PLUS they can use their teammate's tee shot on every hole. That's like giving someone a jetpack in a foot race. These aren't "good players" — they're cheat codes when they have enough help built in.
If the person who already got the #1 player ALSO gets first crack at these cheat-code players... it's over. Game broken.
Total pops are equal in a snake draft (114 vs 114). The difference is where elite skill and maximum pop leverage land.
Elite skill and maximum strokes are aligned on one team.
Elite skill and maximum strokes are split across teams.
Total pops are equal in both formats. The difference is how skill and stroke leverage are aligned.
The second overall pick receives the first selection in Round 3.
The snake draft already balances total pops at 114 per team; this rule prevents elite skill and maximum stroke leverage from stacking on the same roster.
It separates top-tier skill from the highest-pop players by giving the second picker first access in Round 3.
It does not change total pops, total strokes, or the 114 vs 114 balance created by the snake draft.
The rule limits compounding advantage by splitting elite skill and maximum pop leverage across teams while keeping totals equal.
Everyone gets something awesome.
Nobody feels cheated.
The game stays close.
In this shamble format, some players benefit from:
24 strokes = 1-2 stroke advantage on EVERY hole
Can use partner's tee shot every single hole
Double strokes on the hardest holes
If one team gets ALL of those advantages, the match isn't fun.
This rule spreads the power around and keeps things exciting all day.