Foursomes
Also called Alternate shot
Two partners play one ball, taking turns on the tee shots and on every stroke.
- Players
- Pairs, in match play or stroke play
- Scored by
- Strokes · Holes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- WHS allowance
- 50 %
One hole, shot by shot
Hole 1 · Par 4 · SI 7
| Shot | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EmmaHcp 12 | ||||
| JackHcp 20 |
- Strokes
- 1
Step by step
How it is played
The side plays one ball. The partners alternate who tees off on each hole, so one tees off on the odd holes and the other on the even holes, and after the tee shot they alternate strokes until the ball is holed (Rule 22.3). Either partner may mark, lift, replace or drop the side's ball, whoever plays next (Rule 22.2).
The cases that raise questions
Penalty stroke: ball out of bounds, lost or unplayable.
It does not change the turn: the partner whose turn it is plays (Rule 22.3). If A's tee shot is out of bounds, B plays 3 from the teeing area under stroke and distance (Rule 18.2b).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 22: FoursomesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 18: Stroke-and-Distance Relief, Ball Lost or Out of Bounds, Provisional Ball
Provisional ball.
It is played by the partner whose turn it is to play the side's next stroke (Rule 22.3).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 22: Foursomes
Stroke played in the wrong order.
General penalty: in match play the side loses the hole; in stroke play it gets two penalty strokes and must correct the mistake by playing from where the wrong-order stroke was made (Rule 22.3).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 22: Foursomes
A stroke is cancelled, replayed or does not count.
The same partner who made it plays the next stroke (Rule 22.3).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 22: Foursomes
Handicap
WHS recommendation (Rules of Handicapping, Appendix C): 50% of the partners' combined handicaps. The Committee sets it in the terms of the competition.
Your playing handicap
Enter each player's course handicap: the format's allowance does the rest.
The side's playing handicap16
- You: 50 % × 12 = 6
- Your partner: 50 % × 20 = 10
- Σ 16 → 16
- Rounded to the nearest whole number.
Basis in the Rules
Rule 22 of the Rules of Golf.
Got it?
A 4-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 Foursomes?
Morris sets up the terms, the groups and the handicap allowance with you on WhatsApp.