Team formats · 2 per team players
Foursomes: how to play
Also known as Alternate shot
One ball per pair, alternate shots, alternate tees.
Foursomes is the traditional pairs format and the one that terrifies even good players. Each team plays a single ball and partners hit alternate shots. One partner tees off on the odd-numbered holes and the other on the even holes, regardless of who holed the last putt.
Rounds are quick, the pressure is real and every bad shot is a gift to your partner. It is the Ryder Cup's Friday and Saturday afternoon format and a staple of club pairs knockouts. Golf Daddy scores it as a single team card.
Score Foursomes in Golf Daddy
Pick Foursomes on the first tee and the app applies the strokes, keeps the live leaderboard and settles the points for the whole group. Free on iPhone and Android.
Foursomes rules
- 1.Each team plays one ball; partners alternate shots until it is holed.
- 2.One partner tees off on the odd holes, the other on the even holes.
- 3.Penalty strokes do not change the order of play.
- 4.The hole is scored once for the team; played as match play or stroke play.
- 5.Foursomes rounds do not count towards your handicap.
How handicaps work
Golf Daddy uses a team handicap of 50% of the partners' combined course handicaps, the WHS Foursomes allowance. In match play the strokes are given off the lower team handicap.
Worked example
Partners off 12 and 18 have a combined 30, so a team handicap of 15. In a stroke play Foursomes a gross 80 is a net 65.
Tips and variations
- Decide who tees off on the odd holes by looking at the par 3s: put your better iron player on the tee for most of them.
- Never apologise after a bad shot. Your partner has to hit the next one with a clear head.
- Greensomes is the gentler cousin: both drive, then alternate.
Foursomes FAQs
What is the difference between Foursomes and Four Ball?
Foursomes is one ball per pair with alternate shots. Four Ball is everyone playing their own ball with the better score counting.
Who tees off in Foursomes?
Partners decide before the round: one takes the odd-numbered holes, the other the even holes, whoever holed the last putt.
What is the handicap allowance for Foursomes?
50% of the partners' combined course handicaps, which Golf Daddy applies automatically.
Related formats
All golf formats and games →Play Foursomes this weekend
Download Golf Daddy and let the app do the maths while you do the talking. Guests who haven't got the app can play too.