Foursomes vs fourball: what’s the difference?

Alexandr Malmberg·Co-Founder, GolfBooker

12 February 2026

Foursomes and fourball are the two main team formats in golf. Both involve pairs of players working together, but the mechanics are completely different. In foursomes, partners share a single ball and take alternate shots. In fourball, each player plays their own ball and the team counts the lower score on each hole.

The confusion between these two formats is one of the most common in golf. It is not helped by the fact that “best ball” is often used interchangeably with “fourball,” and that many golfers mix up the terms “foursomes” and “a foursome” (which just means a group of four). This guide explains both formats in detail, compares them side by side and clarifies the terminology once and for all.

Foursomes at a Glance

Foursomes is defined in Rule 22 of the R&A Rules of Golf. It is a partner format where two players form a side and play one ball between them, taking alternate shots until the ball is holed. One partner tees off on odd-numbered holes (1, 3, 5, 7 and so on), while the other tees off on even-numbered holes (2, 4, 6, 8). After the tee shot, they continue to alternate for every subsequent stroke on that hole.

The format is also known as “alternate shot” in many countries. It can be played under stroke play or match play rules. In stroke play foursomes, the team records one total score across 18 holes and the lowest total wins. In match play foursomes, teams compete hole by hole and the team that wins the most holes wins the match.

Foursomes has a long history. It is the original team format in golf, one of the oldest team formats in golf. It remains a fixture at the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup, the Presidents Cup and in interclub competitions across the UK, Ireland and continental Europe.

How Foursomes Works

Teeing order. Before the round begins, the team decides which partner will tee off on odd holes and which will tee off on even holes. This decision is fixed for the entire round. It is worth thinking about carefully, because certain holes may suit one player's strengths better than the other's.

Alternating shots. Once the tee shot is hit, the other partner plays the second shot, the first partner plays the third and so on. If Partner A tees off and hits it into a greenside bunker in two, Partner B plays the bunker shot. If that lands on the green, Partner A putts. This alternation continues regardless of what happens during the hole.

Penalty shots. Penalty strokes do not change the alternation. If the team incurs a penalty (for example, a ball out of bounds), the stroke count increases but the same player who would have hit next still hits next. This catches some players off guard, so it is worth reviewing Rule 22.3 before your first foursomes match.

Strategy. Foursomes demands partnership more than any other format. You are constantly playing from positions your partner created. A booming drive down the middle only helps if your partner can capitalize on the approach. Teams that communicate well, plan two shots ahead and play to each other's strengths tend to outperform teams with individually stronger players who do not coordinate. It helps to pair a confident driver with a precise iron player and to discuss club selection and course management before each shot.

Pace of play. Because only one ball is in play per team, foursomes rounds are significantly faster than fourball or individual play. A foursomes match can finish in under three hours with ease, making it an efficient choice for competitions with limited daylight or tee time availability.

Fourball at a Glance

Fourball is defined in Rule 23 of the R&A Rules of Golf. Two players form a side and each plays their own ball throughout the round. On every hole, the team’s score is the lower of the two individual scores. If Player A makes a 5 and Player B makes a 4, the team records a 4.

The format is also widely known as “four-ball better ball” or simply “better ball.” Like foursomes, it can be played in stroke play or match play. In stroke play, the team adds up their best scores over 18 holes. In match play, the lowest individual score on each side determines the hole result.

Fourball is the more popular of the two formats at club level around the world. Every player hits every shot, which keeps all four golfers engaged throughout the round. There is no sitting out, no watching your partner play while you wait.

How Fourball Works

Both players play the full round. Each partner tees off, plays their approach, chips and putts independently. There is no sharing of a ball or alternating of shots. The round feels very similar to a normal individual round, except that you are tracking two scores and recording the better one.

Team takes the best score. After both players hole out (or one picks up), the team records whichever score is lower. If both players make the same score, either score counts. If one player is having a terrible hole, they can pick up their ball once it is clear they cannot contribute, which helps keep the pace moving.

Aggressive play dynamics. Fourball naturally creates a strategy where one partner can play conservatively while the other attacks. Imagine both players are on the green. Player A has a tricky 15-foot putt with a big break. Player B has a straight six-footer for par. Player A can charge the putt aggressively, knowing that even if it runs four feet past, the team has Player B's safe par as a backstop. This risk-reward dynamic is one of the reasons fourball is so entertaining to play and watch.

Handicaps in fourball. Under the Rules of Handicapping (Appendix C), the recommended allowance is 85% for Four-Ball stroke play (and Four-Ball Stableford) and 90% for Four-Ball match play. Strokes are allocated hole by hole based on the stroke index. This allows players of different abilities to compete fairly within the same team format.

Key Differences: Foursomes vs Fourball

The table below summarizes the core differences between the two formats.

In short, foursomes is the more demanding format. Every shot matters, because your partner must play from wherever you leave the ball. Fourball is more forgiving. If one player makes a mistake, the team still has the other player’s score to fall back on.

When to Use Foursomes vs Fourball

Club events and internal competitions. Most club competitions that use team formats default to fourball because it keeps every player engaged. Weekly better ball competitions are a staple at clubs worldwide. Foursomes is less common at club level for casual play, but it works well as a special event format, such as a foursomes championship or a mixed foursomes day.

Interclub matches. Many interclub leagues and representative matches use a combination of both formats. A typical interclub fixture might feature foursomes in the morning session and fourball in the afternoon, or vice versa. This tests teams across both formats and rewards depth and versatility.

Ryder Cup and professional team events. The Ryder Cup is the most famous showcase for both formats. The first two days feature four foursomes matches and four fourball matches per day, alternating between morning and afternoon sessions. The final day consists entirely of singles matches. The Ryder Cup captains treat the foursomes pairings as the more critical decision, because the format demands tight chemistry between partners. Fourball pairings allow for more flexibility since each player can operate somewhat independently.

Time-constrained events. If you need to run a team event but have limited time or tee sheet availability, foursomes is the better choice. With one ball per team, rounds are significantly quicker. A foursomes match can finish 30 to 45 minutes faster than a fourball match, depending on course length and conditions.

Best Ball vs Fourball: Clearing Up the Confusion

“Best ball” is one of the most misused terms in golf. In common usage, most golfers say “best ball” when they mean fourball. They are describing a format where each player plays their own ball and the team takes the lowest score on each hole. That is fourball (or four-ball better ball) under the R&A Rules.

Strictly speaking, “best ball” can refer to any format where the best score from a group counts. A “best ball of four” competition, for example, would involve four-player teams where each player plays their own ball and the team records the single best score on each hole. That is distinct from the standard two-player fourball defined in Rule 23, but the underlying principle is the same.

The takeaway: if someone invites you to play “best ball,” they almost certainly mean fourball. Each player plays their own ball and the team counts the better score. If you want to be precise, use the term “fourball” or “four-ball better ball.” Both are correct under the R&A Rules.

Scramble vs Fourball vs Foursomes

The scramble is a third major team format and it works differently from both foursomes and fourball. In a scramble, all team members tee off on every hole. The team selects the best shot, everyone plays from that spot and the process repeats until the ball is holed. Unlike foursomes and fourball, the scramble is not defined in the R&A Rules of Golf. It is governed entirely by local rules.

Scramble vs fourball. In fourball, each player plays their own ball all the way to the hole and the team picks the best completed score. In a scramble, everyone plays from the same spot after each shot. Scrambles produce much lower scores because the team always advances from the best position. Fourball scores tend to be closer to individual scoring, just slightly better because you have two chances per hole.

Scramble vs foursomes. In foursomes, only one ball is in play and two players alternate shots. In a scramble, multiple balls are in play on every shot and the team selects the best one each time. Foursomes requires precision and coordination. Scrambles are more forgiving and are the go-to format for charity events, corporate outings and social golf days where the goal is fun rather than pure competition.

For a deeper look at all team format options, see our full golf tournament formats guide.

Frequently asked questions

Rules and procedures can change. Always check the current Rules of Golf from the R&A or USGA for the most up-to-date information.