
- Rules of Four-Ball. In Four-Ball, also known as Best-Ball, two partners compete together and each golfer plays their own ball on each hole.
- Scoring in Four-Ball. When both partners hole out, the side’s score for that hole is the lowest of the two scores. ...
- Four-Ball Strategies. ...
- Knowing Four-Ball. ...
What are the rules for four ball golf?
- If only one score is entered for a hole, that score counts for the side.
- If the scores of both partners are entered for a hole:
- If those scores are different, the lowest (gross or net) score for that hole counts for the side.
- If both scores are the same, the Committee may count either score. ...
What is four ball scoring in golf?
Four balls is a team format where a team of two golfers each play their own ball. The teammate with the lower score on each hole provides that team’s score for that hole. For this reason, the format is also often called Fourball Better Ball (4BBB) as the better score of the pair is counted each time.
How to play the foursomes golf format?
- Ryder Cup: Foursomes has been played at the Ryder Cup in every single tournament, going back to the first one in 1927.
- Solheim Cup: Foursomes has been part of every Solheim Cup since the first in 1990.
- Presidents Cup: Foursomes has been part of every Presidents Cup since the first in 1994.
What is one ball rule in golf?
Read the Rules:
- Definition of Equipment
- Rule 4.2 - Balls
- Clarification - Model Local Rule G-9

How does a 4 ball work in golf?
In a match play competition, a four-ball consists of two teams of two players competing directly against each other. All four golfers play their own balls throughout the round (rather than alternating shots); each hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score.
What is the format for four ball?
Four balls is a team format where a team of two golfers each play their own ball. The teammate with the lower score on each hole provides that team's score for that hole. For this reason, the format is also often called Fourball Better Ball (4BBB) as the better score of the pair is counted each time.
What is the difference between match play and four ball?
Four-Ball Formats Each golfer plays his or her own ball to completion of the hole. The team's score on each hole is the lower of the two players' scores. In match play, a four-ball consists of two teams of two players per team competing directly against each other.
Why is it called four ball in golf?
Where did Four-Ball get its name? The name first appeared in the 1908 R&A's Rule Book, and came from the fact that there were four balls in play at one time in a match, thus the name Four-Ball. Four-Ball Stroke Play did not appear in the Rules until 1952.
Is four ball same as best ball?
Best ball (also known as fourball in the Ryder Cup) involves 2-person teams where each player on the team plays his or her own golf ball throughout the round. After each hole the player with the lowest score on the hole (or “best ball”) out of the 2-person team serves as the team's score.
What does 4BBB mean in golf?
Four Ball Better-BallFour Ball Better-Ball (4BBB) - Four Ball is a match between two teams of two players (a total of four balls being played, hence the name) against each other using better-ball scoring.
How do you handicap a 4 ball?
Four-Ball Matches The player with the lowest handicap plays at scratch. The remaining players adjust their handicaps by subtracting the best player's handicap from theirs. For example, your partner is a 6 and you're a 15; your opponents have handicaps of 7 and 9.
How do handicaps work in 4 ball better ball?
4 Ball Better Ball For 4BBB, the Handicap Allowance is 90% for each player, taken from the lowest handicapper. So everyone's shots are taken off the lowest handicapper with Player A getting 4 shots, Player C 6 shots and Player D 10 shots.
What is a four-ball stableford?
Better Ball is one of the most popular team games in golf. It is a 2-person Best Ball (also known as Four Ball), where each player plays his or her own ball throughout the round and on each hole the higher points count as the team score.
What is the difference between best ball and better ball?
When comparing two objects - or, in our case, two golf scores - the appropriate superlative is "better." But when comparing three or more things, "best" applies. So a tournament called Better Ball implies 2-person teams; one called Best Ball implies 3- or 4-person teams.
What's the difference between foursomes and Four-Ball?
Fourball is played during the morning sessions, while foursomes are played in the afternoon. Sunday's matches are straight-up match play. In fourballs, each captain picks four teams of two. Both players on each team play their own ball, so four balls are in play every hole.
Whats the difference between best ball and scramble?
A scramble is when a team picks the best shot, and then each person plays from there. Best ball is when each team member plays their own ball for the entire hole, and the best score is used.
What is stableford format?
Stableford is a scoring system used in the sport of golf. Rather than counting the total number of strokes taken, as in stroke play, it involves scoring points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole.
What is a four-ball stableford?
Better Ball is one of the most popular team games in golf. It is a 2-person Best Ball (also known as Four Ball), where each player plays his or her own ball throughout the round and on each hole the higher points count as the team score.
What is the format for the Zurich Classic?
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans will use an alternating-round Four-ball and Foursomes format. The first and third rounds will be Four-ball, and the second and final rounds will be Foursomes. For Foursomes play, players will rotate tee shots.
How do handicaps work in 4 ball better ball?
4 Ball Better Ball For 4BBB, the Handicap Allowance is 90% for each player, taken from the lowest handicapper. So everyone's shots are taken off the lowest handicapper with Player A getting 4 shots, Player C 6 shots and Player D 10 shots.
What is the history of four ball golf?
Most of the sporting events in the world have teams to compete against one another. But, in golf, there is no team but only individual effort. To make it a team effort in 1927 the first-ever four-ball game was played. Since then many tournaments of four-ball golf are happening that are giving enthusiasm to every spectator
What is a four ball game?
But, in reality, that not the case. A four-ball golf game is team basis golfing match where two teams are formed to compete against each other. On each team, there will have two players.
What happens if you play four ball?
But, if any player breaches the rules of carrying more than 14 clubs, then both the player will be punished. A player may take any action concerning the partner’s ball ...
What is a side's score?
A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. Or, four-ball is a form of play (in either match play or stroke play) involving partners where: Two partners compete together as a side, with each player playing his or her own ball, and. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.
What action can a player take before making a stroke?
A player may take any action concerning the partner’s ball that the partner is allowed to take before making a stroke, such as to mark the spot of the ball and lift, replace, drop and place the ball.
How many players are on a four ball game?
Four players will create two different teams. On each team, there will have two members. Each of the players will play with his own ball.
Where was the record for the most holes in four ball golf?
The record of the most holes played in any four-ball golf happened on June 28, 2009, at the Gunsan Country Club in South Korea.
What are the rules of four ball golf?
In Four-Ball, also known as Best-Ball, two partners compete together and each golfer plays their own ball on each hole. The team score on each hole is the lowest of the two players’ scores on that hole.
What happens when both partners hole out?
When both partners hole out, the side’s score for that hole is the lowest of the two scores. For stroke play, the side’s gross scores for each hole must be recorded on one scorecard. In a handicap competition, each partner’s handicap must also be on the scorecard.
What to do if your team consists of a chill, steady golfer and a grip-it and
If your team consists of a chill, steady golfer and a grip-it and rip-it player, let the aggressive player tee off first. This allows them to swing freely and if they miss, then the conservative player can make sure to safely get them into the fairway.
What is a four ball?
Four-Ball is a format of golf in which two players team up and play together for one team score. Four-Ball is arguably the most popular format of team play, and is utilized in the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, Presidents Cup, USGA and State Four-Ball Championships and even the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic. The format is also popular at ...
Can you make a good four ball partner?
A player who makes a lot of birdies but slips up with double-bogey or worse more often that they’d like can make a great Four-Ball partner. If you are able to manage par on the holes your partner squanders, you can take advantage of all those birdies without suffering from the blow-up holes.
Who is Savannah Richardson?
Savannah Richardson is a staff writer for GolfLink. She’s a daily golfer and has worked for two years covering amateur and professional golf events with Amateurgolf.com and The Brunswick News. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia.
Four-Ball Formats
The format can be played as either a Stroke play or a Matchplay Tournament.
The Rules
Rule 23 has several rules that many golfers may not know about and find interesting
Fourball Scoring
It is the responsibility of each side to fill in their scorecard correctly.
Rule Details
A round is deemed to have started when one of the partners makes a stroke to start his first hole.
Fourball Strategies
Your ability to win especially in Four-Ball matchplay competitions can be greatly improved if you adopt certain strategies.
Final Thoughts
A Four-Ball competition or game is one of the most popular formats at Club Level and local golf tournaments.
Related Articles
Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.
How many players are in a four ball golf game?
In a match play competition, a four-ball consists of two teams of two players competing directly against each other. All four golfers play their own balls throughout the round (rather than alternating shots); each hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score.
What is 4BBB in golf?
It is also sometimes abbreviated as 4BBB . In a stroke play competition, competitors are paired and play as a team. Each golfer plays his own ball; the team's score on each hole is the lower of the two players' scores. Only one of a pair is required to complete each hole.
What is a four ball golf?
Four-ball golf. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Four-ball is a pairs playing format in the game of golf. It is also known as better ball and best ball, although the latter more properly describes a variation involving teams of 3 or 4 players. It is also sometimes abbreviated as 4BBB .
Step 4
Compare the scores for each group of partners at the conclusion of a hole. Discard the higher score for each team. For example, if Team A has a 4 and a 5, the 5 is thrown out.
Step 6
Lee Elder broke down racial barriers throughout his career and paved the way for others.
HOW TO PLAY
Four-ball is the equivalent of a two-man best ball Match Play event. Played as a foursome with teams of two, every player plays his or her ball through the hole and the team takes the lowest score of the two. The game is scored like a typical Match Play round.
VARIATIONS & PRESSES
Although not necessarily a variation, Four-ball is a featured game in the Ryder Cup every other year and can be played as a broader team event with twosomes earning points for their respective teams.
GAME OPTIONS
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HOLE BY HOLE
Hole 1 – P1 (Team 1) and P3 (Team 2) tie the first hole with pars, so neither of the teams earn a point.
FINAL NOTES
Final Payouts – After nine holes, P1 & P2 are down by 2 points and in a $5 per point game would be down $-10.
