
Foursomes (Also Known as Alternate Shot)
- 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 ...
- Either Partner May Act for Side. ...
- Side Must Alternate in Making Strokes. ...
- Starting the Round
- a
- Partner to Play First. ...
- b
- Starting Time and Starting Point. ...
- Partners May Share Clubs. ...
What is a mixed foursome in golf?
Jun 28, 2019 · As noted, foursomes match play is part of some very big professional and amateur golf tournaments. Foursomes (match play or stroke play) is a very common club format in Great Britain and Ireland and is more commonly played throughout the Commonwealth nations than in the United States.
How do you win foursome golf?
In Foursome Golf played as match play, the team with the lowest score on each hole wins the hole. Scoring in match play, 1 point is given for each hole won. If both teams record the same number of shots then the hole is halved. No points are given. In an 18 hole match, if team A wins the first hole then team A is 1-up.
What is a 4 Ball match in golf?
Mar 23, 2022 · 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 many golf balls do you use in a foursome?
In Foursome Golf played as match play, the team with the lowest score on each hole wins the hole. Scoring in match play, 1 point is given for each hole won. If both teams record the same number of shots then the hole is halved. No points are given. In an 18 hole match, if team A wins the first hole then team A is 1-up.

What is the difference between four-ball and foursome matches?
What is a fourball? Teams again play in pairs but the difference to foursomes is that, as the name suggests, there are four balls on the course. Each golfer plays their own ball and the lowest score on each hole is used to determine which team wins it.
How is a four-ball match played 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.
How do you play team match play in 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 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.
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
How is team match play scored in golf?
How does match play scoring work? In match play, a players or team is awarded a point for each hole that they win. If they lose a hole, they're awarded zero points. If the two players or teams tie on a hole, each is awarded a half-point.Jul 6, 2021
How is match play scored in golf?
0:371:52Golf Tips : How to Score Match Play Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe person that has the lowest score on that hole wins that hole. So if that was on the first holeMoreThe person that has the lowest score on that hole wins that hole. So if that was on the first hole for example let's say you had a 5 I had a 4 I win the hole.
How is team match play scored?
Match play scoring is based on the number of holes won. Match play differs from stroke play in that each hole counts as one point. The individual or team with the lower score on a hole wins the point. If you win more holes, you win the match.
How to Play Foursome Golf
Only one golfer from each team will drive on the first hole. The other golfers will proceed to hitting their teammates’ ball from the spot where it came to rest.
How to Win Foursome Golf
Similarly to a four ball format (and other match play types), the team with the lowest score on each hole is said to have won the hole. A team is declared the winner when its lead is such that the opposing team can no longer close the gap mathematically.
Odds or Even?
Before the start of a match, teams will decide which member will drive on odd numbered holes and which will drive on even numbered holes. As soon as the first ball is hit on hole number 1, the alternation order for drives can no longer be changed and must be respected.
Appeal
The foursome format is very prevalent in Scotland, to a much greater degree than it is in North America. Because only two balls are played on every hole (instead of 4), a round of golf is played at a much faster pace.
What is match play in golf?
In Match Play, the rules violations generally involve the automatic loss of the hole. For my money, match play is the most exciting form of golf. Golf Games: Four Ball, Foursomes and Match Play is one of a series of articles for beginners to the game of golf.
How many balls are in a foursome?
Foursomes consist of two teams of two, and only one ball per team . It’s sometimes also known as “Alternate Shot.”. Players alternate shots and alternate on tee shots. As in any match play game, the team with the lowest score on each hole wins that hole for the team. A “Four Ball” match sometimes also is known as “best ball.”.
What is the best ball in golf?
A “Four Ball” match sometimes also is known as “best ball.”. Like foursomes, four ball is played in teams of two. In this format, each team member plays his own ball throughout the hole. Four players; four balls. Then, at the end of each hole, the team’s low score is counted to determine who wins the hole.
Match Play Golf Rules
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.
How to Play Match Play
Each golfer hits his own ball throughout the round and after each hole, scores of both golfers for the hole are compared. 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.
How to Win in Match Play
A winner is declared during the round when his lead is such that his opponent can no longer close the gap mathematically. Or in other words, a winner is declared when his opponent can no longer tie or win the match even if he were to win all of the remaining holes.
How to Adjust Scores for Net Matches
At the start of the round, golfers declare their own handicaps and the difference between those is calculated. The golfer with the highest handicap will be awarded an extra stroke on as many holes as that calculated difference number.
Appeal of Match Play Golf
The match play format lends itself very well to season long ladder-type tournaments where winning one match will move the golfer onto the next round and so forth. The format also features more forgiving play where one golfer who is struggling on a particular hole can choose to pick his own ball up and give the hole to his opponent as a result.
Variations
When teams of two are formed and compete head to head in match play it is called a four ball, or team match play.
Alternate Names
When played Gross: Head to Head, Match Play Gross, Gross Match Play, or Straight Up Match Play

How to Play Foursome Golf
How to Win Foursome Golf
- Similarly to a four ball format (and other match playtypes), the team with the lowest score on each hole is said to have won the hole. A team is declared the winner when its lead is such that the opposing team can no longer close the gap mathematically.
Odds Or Even?
- Before the start of a match, teams will decide which member will drive on odd numbered holes and which will drive on even numbered holes. As soon as the first ball is hit on hole number 1, the alternation order for drives can no longer be changed and must be respected.
Appeal
- The foursome format is very prevalent in Scotland, to a much greater degree than it is in North America. Because only two balls are played on every hole (instead of 4), a round of golf is played at a much faster pace. Another speed advantage comes from the fact that golfers hitting the second shot on a hole can already walk forward while their teammates are setting up for a shot …
Variations