There are many popular formats of golf, played in both the professional and amateur game to keep things interesting for players and spectators. Four ball is one of those formats. It’s super popular for amateur players, but is also used in both the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup.
But how does it work and what are the rules of four ball in golf? Here, we’ll look at four ball golf rules, so you can get to grips with it for your next round.
What is four ball in golf?
Four ball is a type of golf format where four players play. They are split into two pre-determined pairs, with each player playing their own ball. It works like this:
- Two partners compete together as a side/team
- Each player plays their own ball
- A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole
How does four ball differ to foursomes?
Foursomes is another format of golf featuring four players, split into two teams. The difference with foursomes is that the pair of players play with just one ball, taking alternate shots with the same ball.
Is four ball scored using stroke or match play?
You can score four ball using either stroke or match play. It’s up to you and the people you’re playing with. If you want to replicate the format played by the pros, though, match play is the format most famously used in the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup.
With match play, your team’s best score on each hole goes against the opposition team’s best score to determine which team wins the hole. With stroke play, your final score consists of the total of each individual hole’s best score.
Four ball in amateur golf
If you fancy playing a four ball with three of your friends the next time you hit the golf course, you’ll want to know how to score it.
Each player records their gross score on a hole, on a single scorecard. You then need to identify which player got which score. If you have two different handicaps in your team, the score will be valued differently in line with your handicap.
On each hole, you can choose to record both players’ scores or just one. Whilst you’re playing a hole, if one player can’t beat the score of their partner, they don’t need to hole out and should pick up.
Four ball golf rules and handicaps
The rules around handicaps in four ball golf depend on whether you choose stroke play or match play.
With stroke play, each player is given 85% of their handicap allowance. So, if Player 1 has a handicap of 12, they will be given 10 shots in four ball stroke play competitions (12 x 0.85 = 10.2, rounded down to 10).
It gets a little more complicated with four ball match play games. The handicap allowance is 90% of the difference from the lowest handicap golfer in the match.
Take the example of Golfers 1 and 2 with handicaps of 5 and 9 forming one team. They’re playing against Golfers 3 and 4, with handicaps 11 and 13. Golfer 1 has the lowest handicap, so gets 0 shots. The other players then subtract 5 from their handicap and multiply this difference by 90%.
Golfer 1: 0 shots (lowest handicapper)
Golfer 2: 4 shots (9 – 5 = 4 x 0.9 = 3.6, rounded up to 4)
Golfer 3: 5 shots (11 – 5 = 6 x 0.9 = 5.4, rounded down to 5)
Golfer 4: 7 shots (13 – 5 = 8 x 0.9 = 7.2, rounded down to 7)
Confusing? It can sometimes be a little difficult to get your head around at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.
What order do you play your balls in four ball golf?
You play alternate shots in four ball golf, but you can choose for your strongest player to go first. In the above example, Golfer 1 would likely go first. They would then be followed by the strongest player on the other team, Golfer 3. Golfer 2 would then tee off, followed by Golfer 4.
Is four ball golf good for amateur golfers?
Four ball golf is one of the best formats for amateur golfers to play. You get to play with three of your golf buddies, making for a fun, social time on the course. Plus, it caters to golfers of all abilities, with the four ball golf rules around handicaps and the fact you only take the best score on each hole.
So, that’s the basics of four ball golf. Now you know how to play, why not grab three of your friends and hit the course for a spot of four ball?
