
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...
- Scoring. Scoring in a four-ball match is very simple. Four players create two teams of two, and each player plays his...
- USGA Rules. Although most of the standard rules in the USGA’s Rules of Golf apply to four-ball...
How to play a four ball golf match?
Scoring system
- 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.
- The lowest number of strokes that any player would take to complete the hole will count as the side’s score.
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. ...
How many dots are on a Titleist 4 golf ball?
Three-Piece/3-layer and Four-Piece/4-layer Golf Balls: Most tour models feature three or four layers: a relatively soft cover, one or two intermediate pieces, and a solid (sometimes liquid) core. Their high spin rates provide excellent green-side control and allow skilled golfers to play shots like draws and fades.
What is the best ball format in golf?
The good thing for golf: The eventual medal winners on both the men’s and women’s sides were fantastic. Justin Rose took home gold as Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar stood on the other two steps of the podium. Inbee Park won the women’s event, while Lydia Ko grabbed silver.

Why is it called 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.
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.
What is a 4 ball better ball competition?
Four 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 score in 4 ball?
Scoring in a four-ball match is very simple. 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.
How do you score match play?
0:371:51Golf Tips : How to Score Match Play Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd match means that what score did you make on this hole what score did I make on this hole. TheMoreAnd match means that what score did you make on this hole what score did I make on this hole. The person that has the lowest score on that hole wins that hole.
How do you win match play?
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 four ball Stableford?
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.
Why do they yell fore in golf?
It Is Derived from the Word 'Forecaddie' Forecaddies were in charge of watching the golf balls and indicating where the golf balls landed. To let the forecaddie know when the ball was being struck, the golfers would yell out forecaddie. Eventually, the caddie part was dropped, leaving just the fore.
What is a foursome in match play?
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.
What is difference between foursome and fourball?
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.
What is the difference between four-ball and best ball?
“Best Ball” and “Four-Ball” are the same game. The most basic fact, and hence the name, is there are four balls in play. If you have ever watched the intense competitions in any Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup or Solheim Cup competition, then you have seen a four-ball match (or best ball match).
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.
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 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 four ball golf match?
A match played in four ball (or fourball, or team match play) will see 2 golfers forming a team that will compete against the team made up by the other 2 golfers in the foursome. It is a variation of the better ball format, which itself is a type of best ball.
How to play four ball golf?
How to Play Four Ball. Each golfer hits his own ball throughout the round but only one score per team is recorded on each hole. After each hole, the best scores of both teams are compared and the team with the lowest score is said to have won the hole. The same thing occurs for every hole until the match ends.
When is a team declared the winner?
A team is declared the winner when its lead is such that the opposing team can no longer close the gap mathematically. For example, if team A is up 3 holes and there are 2 holes to play, team B winning the last two holes would still see it lose by 1.
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 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 .
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 game?
When we talk about Four Ball, it is a format that actually uses either Stroke Play or Match Play, whereby the participating golfers are required to compete as partners with their own balls.
What should I consider when choosing a golf ball?
This is the most essential feature you need to consider when choosing a golf ball as you want to make sure how the ball will react.
What is compression in golf?
Compression is one of the key features of a golf ball, especially if you have a set style of playing and like for your ball to cover distances at a certain speed level.
What is stroke play in golf?
The number of strokes taken to put the ball in the hole are counted over one or more rounds . The total number of strokes are then added and the player with the lowest score wins the match.
What is the compression rate of a golf ball?
Normally, a low-compression ball has a compression rate of around 70 or 80 and is used by beginners, women, juniors, or novice players who are just getting started at the game.
What is the most competitive form of golf?
A more competitive form of playing golf is the Skins format, as this is where a prize is involved, and that prize is referred to as ‘Skins’. Each hole has a certain amount of monetary benefit which increases as you move on to the next hole. It’s played with either three or four balls, which is decided at the beginning of the game.
How many players are in a scramble?
Another commonly played golf format is Scramble, which consists of a team of four players in total and each player plays throughout the whole match. The team captains choose the best shot and each player then has to use the same spot for hitting their shot.
What is a four ball?
Four-ball. Four-ball is also a form of team match or stroke play, and it is covered under Rule 23. “Four-Ball is a form of play (in either match play or stroke play) involving partners where you and your partner compete together as a side, with each of you playing your own ball, and your side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two ...
What is a foursome in golf?
Foursomes is a form of team match or stroke play covered under Rule 22 in the Rules of Golf. “ (Foursomes is) a form of match play or stroke play where you and a partner compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. You and your partner must alternate in teeing off to start each hole.”.
