NEWSLETTER
If you’re a golf fan or play on the regular, you probably know there are many different types of competitive scoring formats you can choose to play. Two of these formats, foursomes and four-ball, sound very similar but are actually quite different. We’re gonna give you a quick breakdown of the two and highlight their differences.
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Foursomes and Four-Ball
Foursomes and four-ball sound as if they’re one in the same but they’re really very different. These two formats are primarily used in team tournaments such as the Ryder Cup and the Zurich Classic. Below is a short breakdown of the formats and what differentiates them.
Foursomes
Foursome play is a kind of stroke or match play with a team of two golfers, not a single player, competing in a round or tournament. Each hole is played with teammates alternating shots until the conclusion of the hole. And golfers must alternate tee-shots regardless of who finished the previous hole.
This format requires a little strategy from a team. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each player is paramount in choosing shots and clubs when playing foursomes.
Four-Ball
Four-Ball play is also a type of stroke or match play used for team competitions. During four-ball play, each golfer on a team takes their own shots but only the lowest score for a particular hole is recorded. For instance, if a team is on a par-5 and one player birdies the whole while the other pars it, only the birdie will be scored.
The four-ball format is a little more forgiving than foursomes. One player for a team could be struggling, but because each player is shooting their own shots, the team could still thrive.
Hopefully you have a slightly better understanding of the two very similar sounding formats. I know I do.
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