
American Foursomes: Both players play tee shots at each hole, then play a second with their partners ball. One ball is then selected and then play proceeds as in foursomes with the owner of the ball selected then playing the third shot. Handicap allowance is 50% of combined handicaps.
What's the difference between Canadian foursomes and regular golf?
Apr 23, 2004 · Match play, 2 vs. 2: In a foursomes match between Side A and Side B, first combine the course handicaps of both golfers on a side. Then subtract the lower combined handicaps from the higher combined handicaps, e.g., if Side A's combined handicaps total 12 and Side B's total 27, subtract 12 from 27. Take that total and divide by half.
What is the best strategy for foursomes golf?
The two golfers in a team use only one ball and take alternate shots until the hole is completed. Foursomes can be played as a “Stroke play” or “Matchplay” competition. Golfer A tees off, Golfer B plays the second shot, Golfer A plays the third shot and, so on until the ball is holed. The players also alternate in teeing off.
What are the handicaps in foursomes golf?
Feb 16, 2022 · To play foursomes you need a foursome (four players) with two golfers pairing up per team. Each member per team alternates hitting shots, that is why it is also commonly known as “alternate shot.” Both teams use only one ball.
How do you play a stroke play foursome?
American Foursomes (sometimes called "American Greensomes") is just another name (used outside of North America) for the game of "Pinehurst" which is a variation of "Chapman", …

What is the format for golf foursomes?
Foursomes is a golf format whereby a pair of golfers form a team and play a single ball between them. They take alternate shots with this ball, so the format is also known as Alternate Shot.Sep 14, 2021
What is the best way to play foursomes?
Practice these simple strategies in your next alternate shot match/stroke play tourney and you'll be closer to holding the trophy when it's done.Eliminate your inner Phil. ... Alternate, but participate. ... Leave the putting to the putter. ... Plan to take advantage of your strengths. ... Never say you're sorry.Sep 13, 2021
What is the handicap for foursomes?
Appendix C - Handicap AllowancesType of RoundRecommended Handicap AllowanceFour-Ball Par/Bogey90%Individual100%Four-Ball90%Foursomes50% of combined team handicap19 more rows
How are foursomes handicaps calculated?
Foursomes. Each pair adds up their handicaps and you work out the difference between the two totals. Divide this difference by two to get the number of shots the higher handicap pair receives from the lower handicap pair. Also known as "half the difference of the combined".
What is match play in golf?
Topic Overview: Match play is a form of play where a player (or players) plays directly against an opponent (or opponents) in a head-to-head match. You win a hole by completing it in the fewest number of strokes, and you win a match when you are winning by more holes than remain to be played.
How do you play greensomes in golf?
Greensomes is a variation of Foursomes where both partners play from the teeing area and one of the two tee shots is selected. The partner whose tee shot was not selected then plays the next stroke and each subsequent stroke is made in alternating order until the ball is holed.
How do golf handicaps work in match play?
In general, after handicap allowances have been applied in match play formats, the player with the lowest Playing Handicap plays off zero strokes relative to the other player(s). The other player(s) receive(s) the difference between their own Playing Handicap and that of the player with the lowest Playing Handicap.
How do match play handicaps work?
The Playing Handicap is worked out using the following formula:Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Rating / 113.15.7 x 135 / 113 = 18.6, rounded to 19.Player 1: Handicap Index 8.9. ... Player 1: 8.9 x 129 / 113 = 10.16, rounded = 10. ... Player 1: 10 x 90% = 9. ... Player 1: 9 – 9 = 0.More items...•Jul 24, 2020
What is a foursomes competition in golf?
Foursomes (also known as Alternate Shot) is a form of play involving partners (in either match play or stroke play) where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole.
How do foursomes work?
In foursomes, each two-man team plays one ball per hole with the players taking turns until each hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots, with one leading off on odd-numbered holes, and the other hitting first on even-numbered holes. The team with the low score on each hole wins that hole.
Why is it called foursomes in golf?
Each pair plays two balls and then pick the best ball for the third shot to be played by the player who drove it. It is named after American amateur golfer Dick Chapman.Feb 13, 2018
Foursomes Rules and Scoring
The official rules of golf are used when playing foursomes. Of course, the one change is that the players take turns hitting.
Are There Different Rules In Mixed Foursomes?
Mixed foursomes are the same as normal foursomes except males and females are teamed up. Two teams alternate shots but each team contains one female and one male.
Foursomes In Match Play versus Stroke
Match play when played in foursomes usually uses the rules of standard match play where teams win holes.
How Do You Calculate Foursomes Handicaps?
To calculate foursomes handicaps each set of teams adds up their handicaps.
Who Hits The Provisional Ball In Foursomes?
If a player hits the ball out of bounds then the next player has to play the provisional ball from the same spot or hit the dropped ball.
Foursomes Variations
There are many types of golf games for foursomes. Below we will explain different variations and how they work.
Chapman (Also known as American Foursomes)
Chapman can be played with just two players in stroke play where they are essentially facing off against the course together or with four golfers in a two versus two setup.
When was the first foursome played?
They include: Ryder Cup: The first match was in 1927 and Foursomes has been a feature in every edition.
What is a foursome in strokeplay?
Strokeplay Foursomes. Foursomes is most common in matchplay competitions but it can also be applied to strokeplay. As you can probably guess, the team with the lowest score wins. You can also apply Stableford scoring in Strokeplay for a twist.
What is a foursome?
Foursomes is a type of golf match played between four players. Golfers compete in teams of two, using only one ball per team, and take it in turns to hit shots until the hole is completed. The team that completes the hole in the fewest shots wins. Team members also take it turns to tee off.
What is the name of the golf course that plays two balls?
Chapman: Also known as Pinehurst System or American Foursomes, this is a combination of alternate shot and fourball. Each pair plays two balls and then pick the best ball for the third shot to be played by the player who drove it. It is named after American amateur golfer Dick Chapman.
What is a greensome?
Greensomes: Also known as Scotch Foursomes, it’s the same as regular foursomes except both players tee off from every hole after which the best ball is chosen and the hole completed in alternate shots. Read more about it here.
What is a foursome?
Overview of Foursomes. Foursomes (also known as Alternate Shot) is a form of play involving partners (in either match play or stroke play) where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. Rules 1-20 apply to this form of play (with the side playing one ball being treated in the same way as ...
How to play a golf ball?
As both partners compete as one side playing only one ball: 1 Either partner may take any allowed action for the side before the stroke is made, such as to mark the spot of the ball and lift, replace, drop and place the ball, no matter which partner's turn it is to play next for the side. 2 A partner and his or her caddie may help the other partner in any way that the other partner's caddie is allowed to help (such as to give and be asked for advice and take the other actions allowed under Rule 10 ), but must not give any help that the other partner's caddie is not allowed to give under the Rules. 3 Any action taken or breach of the Rules by either partner or either caddie applies to the side.
What is a partner in stroke play?
View Definition Index. Partner. A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play.
What is a scorecard in golf?
The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play. The scorecard may be in any paper or electronic form approved by the Committee that allows: The player’s score to be entered for each hole, The player’s handicap to be entered, if it is a handicap competition, and.
What is a match play?
Match play can be played as a singles match (where one player plays directly against one opponent ), a Three-Ball match or a Foursomes or Four-Ball match between sides of two partners. A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.
What is stroke play?
Stroke Play. A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. In the regular form of stroke play (see Rule 3.3 ): A player’s or side’s score for a round is the total number of strokes (including strokes made and any penalty strokes) to hole out on each hole, and.
What is a foursome golf team?
Foursomes. Teams consist of two players and use one ball. Golfers take turns teeing off on each hole and thereafter play alternate shots. Scoring is the same as a stroke round. When handicaps are used, half of the golfers’ aggregate handicaps is deducted from the total score.
What is a Canadian foursome?
Canadian Foursomes (sometimes referred to as Greensomes) Canadian Foursomes is the same as foursomes except that both players play tee shots on every hole. A ball is nominated then nominated and play continues as alternate shot, American Foursomes (sometimes referred to as Pinehurst Foursomes)
What is a foursome?
Foursomes. Foursomes, also known as alternate shot, is a pairs playing format in the sport of golf. Golfers compete in teams of two, using only one ball per team, and taking alternate shots until the hole is completed. Team members take turns in teeing off on each hole, i.e. one player will take the tee shot on odd-numbered holes, ...
What is a greensome?
Greensomes, also known as "Scotch foursomes", follows the same format as foursomes except that both players tee off on every hole. The better ball is chosen and alternate strokes are then played to complete the hole. This format is used at the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf, where two rounds are played on a par three course; in each round, ...
What is a Canadian foursome?
Canadian Foursomes is a golf tournament format for two-person teams, or a game that can be played within a group of four golfers playing two-versus-two. It is known by several other names, including Scotch Foursomes and Modified Pinehurst, but is more commonly called Greensomes .
What happens after the two partners hit their tee shots?
In the Gruesomes variation, after the two partners both hit their tee shots, your opponent chooses which ball your side continues with. And your opponents are going to chose your side's worst drive, not your best — the gruesomer version of your side's drives, the one more likely to lead to a gruesome score for your side.
What is a gruesome twist?
There's another version of Canadian Foursomes called Gruesomes (also sometimes known as Yellowsomes) that comes with a, shall we say, gruesome twist.. Gruesomes is more commonly a betting game; it is rarely used a golf tournament format, but can be.

Strokeplay Foursomes
What Happens to Handicaps in Foursomes?
- The handicaps in Foursomes depend on what type of format is being played. Matchplay:Take Team A and Team B and first add the handicaps of both golfers on each side. For example, say Team A’s combined handicap is 15 and Team B’s is 30. Subtract the lower handicap total from the higher one. In this example, that would be 15 (30-15). Then, divide that...
Variations of Foursomes
- Greensomes: Also known as Scotch Foursomes, it’s the same as regular foursomes except both players tee off from every hole after which the best ball is chosen and the hole completed in alternate shots. Read more about it here. Bloodsomes or Gruesomes:Follows the same format as Greensomes, except the opposition pairing choose which tee shot is played. Chapman:Also kno…
Foursomes in Major Events
- Foursomes is one of the most recognised formats in golf on account of its appearance in some of the game’s most high-profile team events. They include: Ryder Cup:The first match was in 1927 and Foursomes has been a feature in every edition. Solheim Cup:Foursomes has been part of every Solheim Cup since it was first played in 1990. Presidents Cup:Foursomes has been part o…