- 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 is fourball golf?
Fourball is a playing format in the game of golf. It is also known as best ball or more properly better ball . 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.
What is the difference between stroke play and four ball?
In Four-ball, also known as Best ball, or Better ball, two partners or (pairs) play together and hit their own ball on every stroke for each hole. Is sometimes abbreviated as 4BBB. The format can be played as either a Stroke play or a Matchplay Tournament. In stroke play, competitors are paired and play as a team.
What is stroke play in golf?
It is also known as best ball or more properly better ball . 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.
Why is the score 4 in golf stroke play?
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 the hole. In both cases, when the match is finished, the two-man team with the lower score wins.
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 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.
How is a Four-Ball played in golf?
The lowest aggregate score over a set number of holesFour-ball golf / Rules to win
What is a Four-Ball better ball in golf?
Within the Rules of Golf in respect of match play a Four-Ball is defined as a match in which two players play their better ball against the better ball of two other players. In respect of stroke play it is defined as a competition in which two competitors play as partners.
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.
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.
Does 4BBB affect handicap?
Competitions - Four Ball Handicapping Print An in-conjunction singles event should be sent for handicapping if both players are completing all holes. Singles cards can still be used for 4BBB entry but to handicap requires manual calculation of each card and player with ad-hoc score entry for qualifying scores.
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.
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 the difference between match play and stroke play in golf?
The main difference between stroke play and match play is that In Stroke Play, all players are simply playing each hole in attempt to have the total lowest scores at the end. In Match Play, two players are playing against each other, with each one trying to score the lowest on individual holes.
What is better ball stroke play?
"Better ball" is a name for a golf competition format in which two golfers play as a team, but each playing his or her own ball throughout. On each hole, the two golfers on a team compare scores. The lower of the two scores - the better ball - counts as the team's score.
Is scramble the best ball?
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 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: ...
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 ...
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?
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 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.
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 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 gross score in golf?
The gross score of at least one partner Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. must be entered on the scorecard Scorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play. (... Continued) .
Can you enter more than one partner in golf?
There is no penalty for entering more than one partner’s Partner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. score on the scorecard Scorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play. (... Continued) .
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.
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 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
Track your favorite golf games and bets with GolfWeGo today! Try now >>
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.
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 ...
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.”.
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.
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.
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.
What is stroke play in golf?
Stroke play is also called medal play . The Official Rules of Golf, in Rule 3-1, say this about stroke play: A stroke-play competition consists of competitors completing each hole of a stipulated round or rounds and, for each round, returning a score card on which there is a gross score for each hole. Each competitor is playing against every other ...
What is the most common way to play golf?
Stroke play is the most common way to play golf. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Stroke play is the most common form of golf played by golfers, and it's well-known even to non-golfers. In stroke play , a golfer counts the strokes used to complete the play ...
What is the format of golf?
Most professional golf tournaments and most recreational rounds of golf are played in stroke play format. The other best known format is match play . In match play, a golfer still counts his or her strokes needed to complete the play of each hole.
How do you keep score in golf?
In stroke play, the golfer counts each stroke taken on a hole until the ball is in the cup. Those strokes are written down on the scorecard. At the end of the round, the strokes used on each hole played are added together for the total strokes, which is the gross score .
