Foursome · Stroke¶

What it is¶

A foursome is true alternate-shot golf. The two partners share a single ball and take turns hitting it — including the tee shots, with one partner driving on the odd holes and the other on the even. One plays, then the other, then the first again, until the ball is holed. It's a fast, pure test of partnership where every shot matters to both of you. This is the stroke-play version: one team score per hole, lowest total wins.

How scoring works¶

1. The partners decide who tees off on the odd holes and who on the even, then alternate every shot through the hole — one ball between the two of them.
2. Record one gross score for the side on each hole.
3. The side plays off a single team handicap. The standard allowance for a foursome is 50% of the partners' combined handicap, which earns strokes on the hardest holes by stroke index to give the team's net.
4. Add the side's scores across the round; the lowest total wins (gross for a scratch result, net once the team handicap is applied).
5. Level sides are separated on countback — the better back nine, then the last six holes, then the last three, then the final hole.

Worked example¶

Two sides, one alternate-shot team gross per hole:

The sides are level on 14 after three holes. There's a single score per side — the partners played one ball between them, taking turns from tee to green.

When to use it¶

A demanding, traditional format for committed pairs — it's quick (one ball) and puts a premium on trust, since you're always playing your partner's last shot. The format of Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, and Ryder Cup foursomes. A group holds up to four, so two pairs can play and score alongside each other.

Variations¶

• Gross or net. Play for the lowest team gross, or apply the team handicap (50% of the partners' combined handicap) and play for net.
• For head-to-head see Foursome · Match play. For a gentler alternate-shot game where you choose the better drive first, see Greensome · Stroke.

Last updated: 2026-05-07