What Is a Four Ball Golf Match?
- USGA Definition. According the USGA’s Rules of Golf, four-ball stroke play is “a competition in which two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball.
- Scoring. Scoring in a four-ball match is very simple. ...
- USGA Rules. ...
- Strategy. ...
- World Record. ...
What are the rules for four ball golf?
Mar 12, 2022 · There is no question about it.The rule book of golf defines a Four-Ball match as having 2 players and 2 players at a game played each other in comparison of their best ball.Among the purposes of stroke play is to establish a competition to pit two rivals who play each other competitively.
What is a four ball golf match?
In match play, a four-ball consists of two teams of two players per team competing directly against each other. All four golfers play their own ball throughout the round. The lowest score recorded by one of the two golfers in a team is the score recorded for that hole. The pair with the lowest score on a particular hole wins that hole.
What is four ball format?
Sep 16, 2020 · Four-ball is a form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing his or her own ball. 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:
How do you play match play golf?
Four-ball match play is defined as “a match in which two players play their better ball against the better ball of two other players.” In fact, you will sometimes hear the format referred to as...
What are the rules for 4 ball match play?
Four players create two teams of two, and each player plays his own ball. After each hole, each team's players compare their scores, and the lowest score is counted as the team score. For example, one team's players are playing a par-4 hole; Player A takes four shots and Player B takes five shots.
How do you score a Four-Ball match 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.Sep 24, 2021
Why do they call it Four-Ball?
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.Jan 1, 2015
What is the difference between 2 ball and 4 ball?
A 2-person best ball match play competition is also known as Four Ball. Better-Ball - A best ball competition in which the teams are comprised of two players. When played as match play, better-ball is another name for Four Ball Better-Ball. The two players on the team each play their own ball throughout the round.Mar 10, 2016
What is a 4 ball tournament?
Ryder CupPresidents CupSolheim CupZurich Classic of New OrleansFour-ball golf/Tournament
How do handicaps work in 4 ball better ball?
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 the last hole in golf called?
The finishing hole for a round of golf is usually the 18th hole, but is sometimes the ninth, and, in less common instances, might even be any given hole on the golf course. The key, in both respects, is that the finishing hole is the hole that marks the finish of play.
What is the best ball in golf?
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.
Is Four-Ball alternate shot?
In foursomes, the players alternate hitting shots while playing the same ball—this is why the format is colloquially known as alternate shot. Player A will hit the tee shot of the first hole, then Player B will hit the next shot, then back to Player A, and so on and so forth until the ball is holed.Sep 14, 2018
What is a 4 ball better ball competition?
In a 4BBB tournament, golfers tee off in groups of four, and each golfer plays his own ball throughout. So there are four golf balls in play on each hole, but only one ball (the better ball, or low ball) counts per team per hole.Aug 9, 2018
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.
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 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 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 is a four ball match?
Four-ball match play is defined as “a match in which two players play their better ball against the better ball of two other players.”. In fact, you will sometimes hear the format referred to as “better ball.”.
What is four ball stroke play?
USGA Definition. According the USGA’s Rules of Golf, four-ball stroke play is “a competition in which two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of the hole, there is no penalty.”. Four-ball match play is defined as “a match in ...
How many shots does a player take in a par 4 hole?
For example, one team’s players are playing a par-4 hole; Player A takes four shots and Player B takes five shots. Because Player A’s score is the better of the two, the team’s score will be 4 if they are playing stroke play. In match play, the team’s score of 4 will be compared against the other team’s best score to determine which team won ...
What is a typical strategy in golf?
A typical strategy is for one player to “play safe” and attempt to guarantee par, while the other player “goes for it” and tries to make the lowest score possible. Players with a successful strategy are often described as “ham-and-egging it,” and stroke scores in the 50s are not unusual.
Where was the record for the most holes played in 24 hours?
On June 28, 2009, 94 four-ball teams met at the Gunsan Country Club in South Korea to set the record for the most holes ever played in 24 hours by four-ball teams.
What is a four ball?
Four-Ball Four-Ball: A form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing his or her own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. (...Continued) is a form of play (in either match play Match Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: (...Continued) or stroke play Stroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. (...Continued)) involving partners Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. where:
What is match play?
In match play Match Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: (...Continued), if both partners Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. breach such a Rule on the same hole, the side Side: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. (...Continued) loses the hole .
What is a side's side in golf?
A side’s Side: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. (...Continued) round Round: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ends:
What does "holed" mean in golf?
Continued) to lower the side's score for the hole by one stroke, if any person deliberately deflects or stops the ball at a time when there is no reasonable chance it can be holed Holed: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.
What does "partner" mean in tennis?
Continued), each reference to the other partner Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. means the other two partners Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. ).
What is a two partner?
Two partners Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. compete together as a side Side: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. (... Continued), with each player playing his or her own ball, and.
What is 4.1b(2) in tennis?
Rule 4.1b (2) is modified to allow partners Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. to share clubs, so long as the total number of clubs they have together is not more than 14.
How many golf balls are in a four ball match?
In fact, that is where the name "four ball" comes from: In a four ball match, there are four golf balls in play on each hole. Four ball can also be used as a stroke-play tournament format, but if it is, it might be called by another name ...
What is a four ball golf?
"Four ball" is the name of a golf format in which two golfers partner one another, each golfer playing his or her own golf ball throughout, and the lower of the partners' scores counting as the team score on each hole.
What is the rule for scoring in four ball golf?
Rule 23-2 covers scoring in four ball; Rule 23-5 goes over which of your actions affects your partner's play (and vice-versa); and Rule 23-6 addresses your side's order of play. There are eight sections within Rule 23, so be sure to learn the full rule. The official definition in the rules of golf of four ball is this: ...
When did the four ball tournament start?
Four ball was added to the tournament beginning with the 1963 Ryder Cup. As for the biggest amateur team international tournaments: The Walker Cup does not use four ball, the Curtis Cup does.
What is the USGA handicap manual?
Handicap allowances for four ball competitions are addressed in the USGA handicap manual, Section 9-4 (www.usga.com). As always, the four golfers involved in the match start by determining their course handicaps . In four ball match play, the USGA says: "The course Handicap of all four players is reduced by the course handicap ...
What is a round in match play golf?
A round in match play golf will see two golfers competing head to head against each other and not against the rest of the field. Rather than trying to post the lowest score for the round golfers are here trying to win (or not lose) more holes than their opponent.
What happens if you hit your own ball in golf?
The golfer with the lowest score is said to have won that hole. If both scores are identical then no points (or holes won) are awarded for that hole.
What happens to the golfer with the highest handicap?
The golfer with the highest handicap will be awarded an extra stroke on as many holes as that calculated difference number.
What is match play?
Unlike in stroke play, where a player aims to post the lowest score over 18 holes, golfers in match play have to try to win more holes than their opponent.
How does the scoring work?
Whichever player, or team, completes the hole in the fewest strokes wins the hole, and therefore wins a point. If both scores are identical, the hole is halved, resulting in no change to the overall score.
Anything else?
When a player is in a position where they can still halve the match but cannot lose, this is known as “dormie”. So if Player A is 2-up with two holes to play, they are “dormie 2”.
Playing with handicaps
In a handicap match, it is the lowest net score that wins each hole. The golfer with the highest handicap receives extra shots according to the difference between each players’ handicaps.
Match play on tour
The Ryder and Solheim Cups are both match play golf events. Both are played over three days between teams of 12, with a variety of fourball, foursomes and singles matches.
First, a refresher
The Ryder Cup is a match play tournament hosted every two years pitting a team of the best golfers in the United States against a team of the best golfers in Europe. The tournament has 28 matches broken out into three formats across five sessions (Friday morning and afternoon, Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday afternoon).
So, how does it work?
In this format, it’s two-vs.-two (two players from the European side, two from the American). Each team plays one ball, alternating shots between the two players until the ball has been holed. If scores are tied, the hole is halved (so no carryovers!).
