Four-ball
Also called Better ball
Each partner plays their own ball and the better score of the two counts on each hole.
- Players
- Pairs, in match play, stroke play or Stableford
- Scored by
- Strokes · Holes · Points
- Difficulty
- Medium
- WHS allowance
- 85 %
Four holes on the card
| Hole | 1Par 4SI 7 | 2Par 3SI 15 | 3Par 5SI 1 | 4Par 4SI 11 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EmmaHcp 12 | 5net 4 | ||||
| JackHcp 20 | 6net 5 | ||||
| Side | 4 |
- Net
- 4
Step by step
How it is played
| Hole 1 · Par 4 | Net |
|---|---|
| EmmaGross 5 | 4 |
| JackGross 6 | 5 |
| Team | 4 |
Each partner plays their own ball for the whole hole and the side's score is the lower of the two; only one partner needs to hole out (Rule 23.2a). In match play, each side's better score wins the hole; in Stableford, the better points of the two count.
The cases that raise questions
Who plays first within the side.
The partners may play in whatever order the side considers best, even if the other partner is farther away (Rule 23.6).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 23: Four-Ball
In match play, a player's next stroke is conceded and the player wants to play on to show the partner the line.
The player must not do it if it would help the partner. If the player does, the player's own score on the hole stands without penalty, but the partner's score on that hole cannot count for the side (Rule 23.6). The score that is lost is the helped partner's, not the score of the player whose stroke was conceded.
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 23: Four-Ball
One partner already has a score the other cannot beat.
Only one partner needs to hole out: that score is the side's and the other partner does not need to hole out. If neither completes the hole, in match play the side loses the hole and in stroke play it is disqualified unless it corrects the mistake in time (Rule 23.2a).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 23: Four-Ball
The scorecard in stroke play.
On each hole the gross score of at least one partner must be entered, clearly attributed to the partner who made it; otherwise the side is disqualified. A score just for the side is not enough (Rule 23.2b).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 23: Four-Ball
One partner hits their ball out of bounds.
It only affects that player: stroke and distance with their own ball (Rule 18.2b) while the partner carries on with theirs. A penalty normally applies only to the player, not to the partner (Rule 23.9a).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 18: Stroke-and-Distance Relief, Ball Lost or Out of Bounds, Provisional BallRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 23: Four-Ball
Handicap
WHS recommendation (Appendix C): stroke play or Stableford, 85% of each player; Par/Bogey, 90%; match play, 90% of the difference from the lowest Course Handicap, who plays off 0. The Committee sets it.
Your playing handicap
Enter each player's course handicap: the format's allowance does the rest.
Each player's playing handicap
- You10
- Your partner17
- You: 85 % × 12 = 10.2
- Your partner: 85 % × 20 = 17
- Rounded to the nearest whole number.
Basis in the Rules
Rule 23 of the Rules of Golf (Four-Ball). In Stableford or Par/Bogey, with Rule 21.1 or 21.3 adapted for partners.
Got it?
A 5-question recap to check you have it. Every answer comes with its why and its source.
The card, for your group
The format at a glance, with its short link. Send it to your group before you tee off.
Organising a Four-ball?
Morris sets up the terms, the groups and the handicap allowance with you on WhatsApp.
Sources
- Rules of Golf (R&A), Rule 23: Four-Ball
- Rules of Golf (R&A), Rule 18: Stroke-and-Distance Relief, Ball Lost or Out of Bounds, Provisional Ball
- Rules of Golf (R&A), Rule 21: Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play
- WHS Rules of Handicapping, 2024 edition, Appendix C
- RFEG (Spanish Golf Federation), Forms of play