Nina Caldwell
Foursomes golf, also known as alternate shot, is a format where two golfers partner up and take turns hitting the same ball, instead of each playing their own. It requires excellent teamwork, strategy, and communication, making it one of the more challenging and exciting ways to play golf. In a typical foursomes golf match, two teams of two players each compete against one another, with golfers on each team alternating shots until the ball is holed out. The team with the lower score on each hole wins that hole. This format is prevalent in Scotland and is often played in major team golf competitions such as the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and the Presidents Cup.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of golfers | 4 |
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Number of golfers per team | 2 |
| Number of balls per team | 1 |
| Shot system | Alternating |
| Handicap allowance calculation | Half the difference of the combined |
| Number of clubs | 14 |
| Type of play | Match play, stroke play |
| Winner determination | Lowest score on each hole |
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What You'll Learn
Foursomes golf rules
Foursomes, also known as alternate shot, is a pairs format in golf where two players partner up and compete together as a side, taking turns to hit the same ball. This means that each team uses only one ball, and players take alternate shots until the hole is completed.
The most important rule is the alternating shot system. If one player hits two consecutive shots, their team incurs a penalty. Players must alternate tee shots on each hole, with one player taking the first shot on odd-numbered holes, and the other taking the first shot on even-numbered holes. This decision is made prior to the round and cannot be changed once started.
Foursomes can be played in match play or stroke play. In match play, the team with the lowest score on each hole wins that hole, and the winning team is determined by the number of holes won. In stroke play, the winning team is the one with the fewest strokes overall.
Foursomes require excellent teamwork, strategy, and communication, making it a challenging and exciting way to play golf. It is important to adapt to your partner's style of play and maintain trust in their abilities.
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How foursomes golf differs from other team formats
Foursomes golf, also known as "alternate shot", is a format where two golfers partner up and take turns hitting the same ball, instead of each playing their own. This means that foursomes golf uses just one ball per team, and partners alternate taking shots. This is in contrast to the fourball better-ball format, where both players on each team play their own ball throughout the hole, and the team's score for that hole is the lower of the two players' scores.
Foursomes golf is a challenging format that requires excellent teamwork, strategy, communication, precision, and coordination. It is a test of the teamwork, resilience, and skill of two golfers competing together as a team. Each player must adapt to the game quickly and maintain trust in their partner's abilities.
In foursomes golf, the players on each team typically alternate who tees off on each hole, with one player taking the tee shot on odd-numbered holes and the other on even-numbered holes. This alternating shot system is a key rule of foursomes golf, and if one player hits two consecutive shots, their team incurs a penalty.
Foursomes golf is often played in major team golf competitions such as the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and the Presidents Cup. It is also prevalent in Scotland, where it was coined by Scottish golfers who played in groups of four long before golf grew popular in America.
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Handicap allowance
In stroke play, the handicap allowance of each foursome team is 50% of each player's combined handicaps. To determine this, add the two players' handicaps together and divide the total by 2. Each team is responsible for recording their own handicaps throughout the game. If a team submits a scorecard that does not feature a complete list of handicaps, the team will be disqualified from the game.
In match play, subtract the lower combined handicaps from the higher combined handicaps. The USGA Handicap Manual says: "The allowance for the higher-handicapped side is 50 percent of the difference between the combined Course Handicap of each side."
In match play foursomes, the difference between both of these calculated allowances determines how many shots are given. For example, Team A has a combined handicap of 28 (20+8), giving them a team handicap of 14 (28/2). Team B has a combined handicap of 15 (10+5), giving them a team handicap of 7.5 (15/2). Team B therefore gives Team A 7 shots in match play foursomes, as 14 subtracted by 7.5 is 6.5, which then rounds up to 7.
In Four-Ball match play, player A plays off 0 strokes, player B receives 18 strokes (90% of the difference in Course Handicap from Player A), player C receives 10 strokes (90% of 11) and player D receives 27 strokes (90% of 30).
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Variations of foursomes golf
Foursomes golf, also known as alternate shot, is a pairs format involving two teams of two players. Each team uses only one ball, with players taking alternate shots from tee to hole. This format is used in major tournaments such as the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup, the Presidents Cup, and the Walker Cup.
Foursomes golf can be played in match play or stroke play formats. In match play, the winner is determined by the number of holes won by each side, with the point being halved if both teams take the same number of strokes. In stroke play, the team with the lowest overall score wins.
- Scotch Foursomes / Greensomes: In this variation, both members of each team tee off, and then select one of the drives to play with for the rest of the hole, taking alternate shots. This variation is said to speed up the game and can be used to get around quickly when courses only offer slots for two balls.
- Bloodsomes / Gruesomes: This variation follows the same format as Scotch Foursomes, except that the opposing team gets to pick which shot is played, increasing the pressure on both players to perform well.
- Chapman / Pinehurst / American Foursomes: In this format, each player hits a tee ball, then plays their partner's ball for the second shot, before selecting one ball to complete the hole with, alternating shots. The players then take alternate strokes, with the next (third) stroke being played by whoever hit the chosen ball from the tee.
- Threesomes: A form of match play where an individual player competes against a side of two partners who play alternating shots.
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History of foursomes golf
Foursomes golf, also known as "alternate shot", is a format of golf where two teams of two players compete against each other by taking alternate shots. It is a test of teamwork, strategy, and communication, making it one of the more challenging and exciting ways to play golf.
Foursomes golf is believed to have originated from the need to accommodate four players on a golf course that only offers slots for two balls matches. It is a fundamental aspect of golf in both amateur and professional games. In amateur golf, the team's handicap is calculated as half of the two players' combined handicaps.
Foursomes golf has been played in specific tournaments, including the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup, the President Cup, and the Walker Cup Match. The Ryder Cup, which occurs every two years, first introduced foursomes in 1927. The winning ratio of the USA vs. Europe is 27 to 14, respectively.
The Solheim Cup was established in 1990 and is named after Karsten Solheim, who was instrumental in its creation. The format is also played in the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf, where nine holes are played as greensomes and nine as better ball.
Foursomes golf can be used in both match play and stroke play, although it is more commonly adopted in match play. In match play, the winner is determined by the number of holes won, while in stroke play, the total number of strokes taken across all holes determines the winner.
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Frequently asked questions
Foursomes golf, also known as "alternate shot", is a format where two golfers partner up and take turns hitting the same ball, rather than each playing their own. It is a pairs playing format where golfers compete in teams of two, using only one ball per team.
In a foursome, golfers compete in teams of two, taking turns to hit shots until the hole is completed. Team members take turns teeing off on each hole, i.e. one player will take the tee shot on odd-numbered holes, and the other on even-numbered holes. After the drive, the teammates continue to alternate shots until the ball is holed out.
Foursome golf has different variations, including Scotch Foursomes (also known as Greensomes), Bloodsome or Gruesome, and Chapman (also known as Pinehurst or American Foursomes). Scotch Foursomes is played with each player teeing off and then choosing one of the drives to play with for the rest of the hole, taking alternate shots. Bloodsome or Gruesome follows the same format, except the opposition pairing chooses the ball. Chapman is a combination of alternate shot and fourball, where each player hits a ball from the tee, plays their partner's ball for the second shot, and then selects which ball to complete the hole with.
