What is foursomes golf?

There are various ways to play a round with more than just two players, and foursomes golf is one of the most popular and rewarding formats. If you’re new to the sport, you may have heard the term, which can be interchanged with ‘alternate shot golf’, used on and around the course. Or you might have seen competitions like the Ryder Cup, which feature it and wondered exactly how it works.

In short, foursomes golf is a two-versus-two version of the sport. Each team of two competes with one ball between them, adding a tactical element to the game. It’s a particularly engaging and collaborative way to play. And if you’ve never given it a go, it might just become your new go-to when you reach the course.

How to play foursomes golf

There are multiple ways to play foursomes golf. What remains consistent is that you need four players split into two teams of two. Each team will share a ball and compete with the other team to hole off the quickest.

When it comes to scoring, there are variations. Foursomes can be played in either the stroke play or match play formats.

Stroke play vs match play

In stroke play, each team competes to finish the entire round of 18 holes in the fewest total number of strokes.

However, in match play, you and your opponents will be competing on a hole-by-hole basis. The two sides try to complete each hole in the fewest number of strokes before winning that hole and moving onto the next. In this version, if a hole is tied, then it is halved for both teams.

There are pros and cons for each version of the game. Stroke play values consistency over an entire round and is less forgiving than match play, where one bad hole won’t be detrimental to the overall score.

How foursomes golf works

Whichever version you choose, the aim is broadly the same. Each team competes to finish each hole with fewer shots than the other. Each player in your team will take turns teeing off on alternating holes. One of you will do so on the even numbers, while the other on the odds. Who goes first is up to you. You then take alternate shots on each hole – it’s a penalty if the same player takes two shots in a row.

The winning team is the one who either completes all 18 holes in the smallest number of strokes or the team that wins the most holes.

Picking your teams & strategy 

First things first, in a round of foursomes golf, you need four players split into two teams of two.

It might sound obvious, but choosing your partner is a hugely significant decision when it comes to foursomes. This is because you and your partner will be sharing a ball. Unlike in other formats like four-ball (also known as better-ball), where each player has their own ball, every stroke you make will impact both you and your partner.

With that in mind, a good strategy is to find a partner whose strengths and weaknesses cancel out your own.

For example, you might have an excellent drive and a weak putt. It would be wise to pick a partner who might not be as strong from distance but is deadly on the green. This way, you and your partner can strategise as you go. With each shot, you can factor in the strengths and weaknesses of your partner and how they’re suited to the position where the ball ends up.

It’s important to remember that foursomes involves alternating shots. If one player takes two shots in a row, this will result in a penalty. Before you start a round, it’s advisable to practice with your partner so you can establish each other’s strengths and weaknesses and prepare for scenarios that may arise throughout the game.

How handicaps work in foursomes golf

Yours and your partner’s handicaps are still factored in in foursomes golf.

To determine your team’s handicap, you combine both players’ handicaps and divide by two. For example, if your handicap is 12 and your partner’s is 10, you’d add them to get 22 and then divide by two to get 11.

Like in any other form of play, this levels the playing field between the two sides and gives golfers who are weaker on paper the chance to still compete with their opponents.

The difference between foursomes golf and similar formats

Foursomes golf isn’t the only way to play the game with more than two players, or indeed four. Other options include: 

Four-ball (better-ball)

Four-ball is another common variation that involves two teams of two competing against one another.

However, in this version, each player has their own ball. That means that only the player who finishes the hole in the fewest strokes has their score taken down, making it less collaborative and more individualistic than foursomes.

Greensomes

One way of combining the two is by playing Greensomes. In Greensomes, both players in the team tee off for each hole, before deciding which was the better drive and playing a standard game of foursomes from there on out.

That means, in Greensomes, having a player with a powerful drive is even more valuable, as they can put the team on the front foot from the very beginning of the round.

Threesomes

While less popular than foursomes, threesomes is a way of pitting individuality against teamwork. In this format, one player competes against a team of two. The solo player can test their ability all-round, whereas the team can compensate for each other’s weaknesses.

Why play foursomes golf?

Foursomes is perhaps the best golfing format for truly working together as a team.

Unlike in four-ball, one player can’t ‘carry’ the other to victory. Both players must communicate effectively and work together to succeed. In this way, it’s one of the best versions of the game for fostering teamwork and camaraderie, and is an excellent way to play with close friends or make new ones.  

Don’t just take our word for it. There’s a reason foursomes golf is a format used by huge events such as The Ryder Cup, The Solheim Cup, The Presidents Cup and The Walker Cup.

Foursomes is ideal for players of all abilities, from newcomers to the elite golfers at the very top of their game. If you’ve never given it a go, there’s no time like the present.

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