Alternate Shot Golf (Foursomes)
In alternate shot golf, two partners play one ball between them and take turns hitting it until it's in the hole. In the Rules of Golf, and in most of the golfing world, this format is called foursomes.
It's the most demanding team format in golf, because every bad shot leaves your partner to clean up. It's also very quick, since only one ball per team is in play.
How foursomes works
- Two players form a team and share one ball.
- Partners alternate tee shots: one player tees off on all the odd-numbered holes, the other on all the even-numbered holes.
- After the tee shot, partners alternate strokes until the ball is holed.
- In match play, the team with the lower score wins the hole. In stroke play, the team adds up its hole scores.
The tee order is fixed for the whole round. It doesn't matter who holed the last putt: if you tee off on hole 1, you tee off on every odd hole.
A sample hole
On a par 4, Jo tees off on the odd holes and Chris on the even ones.
| Stroke | Player | Shot |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jo | Tee shot into the fairway |
| 2 | Chris | Approach just short of the green |
| 3 | Jo | Chip to six feet |
| 4 | Chris | Holes the putt |
The team scores 4, a par. On hole 2, Chris tees off, whoever finished hole 1.
Foursomes rules worth knowing
Foursomes has its own section in the Rules of Golf (Rule 22). The key points:
- Penalty strokes don't change the order. If your shot goes into a penalty area and you take relief, your partner still plays the next stroke.
- A provisional ball is played by the partner whose turn it would be next.
- Playing out of turn brings the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of the hole in match play. In stroke play, the team must also correct the mistake.
- Partners can give each other advice and help read putts.
For a reminder of what the penalties mean, see golf penalty strokes explained.
Foursomes vs "a foursome"
In American golf, a foursome often just means a group of four players going round together, each playing their own ball. That's a completely different thing from the foursomes format. If a friend invites you to "make up a foursome", they probably mean a four-ball group, not alternate shot. Check before you start.
Variations on alternate shot
| Format | How it starts | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Foursomes | One partner tees off (odd or even holes) | Alternate shots with one ball |
| Greensomes | Both partners tee off, the team picks the better drive | The other partner plays the second shot, then alternate |
| Pinehurst or Chapman | Both tee off, then each plays the other's ball | Pick the better second shot, then alternate |
Greensomes and Pinehurst are popular at social days because both players hit every tee shot.
Handicaps in foursomes
For handicap foursomes, the World Handicap System recommends a team allowance of 50% of the partners' combined course handicaps. For greensomes and Pinehurst, a common allowance is 60% of the lower handicap plus 40% of the higher. The committee can set its own figures, so check the event terms. More on handicaps in golf handicap explained.
Tips for alternate shot
- Play to your partner's strengths. If your partner loves a full wedge, leave them that distance rather than an awkward half shot.
- Pick tee holes wisely. Look at the card and decide which partner should take the odd holes, for example the longer hitter on the tougher tee shots.
- Keep it in play. In foursomes, a safe shot to the middle of the green beats a heroic one that brings water in.
- Agree the ball before you start, as you're both hitting the same one all day.
- Stay positive. You'll each hit bad shots. The team that shrugs them off usually wins.
Try it in Mashy
Mashy makes a good alternate shot game on one phone or laptop. Start a round, then pass the device after every shot: one of you hits the tee shots on odd holes, the other on even holes, and you take turns from there. It's surprisingly tense when it's your turn to hole the putt. For other side-by-side ideas, try golf games for two players or the best ball format, where each player keeps their own ball.
Frequently asked questions
Is foursomes the same as alternate shot?
Yes. Foursomes is the official Rules of Golf name for the format where two partners share one ball and alternate strokes, including alternating tee shots on odd and even holes. Alternate shot is the more common name in the United States.
Who tees off in foursomes golf?
One partner tees off on all the odd-numbered holes and the other on all the even-numbered holes, for the whole round. The order doesn't change based on who holed out on the previous hole, so a team agrees its tee order before starting.
Do penalty strokes change the order in alternate shot?
No. Penalty strokes are added to the team's score but don't count as a turn. If your shot goes out of bounds, your partner plays the next stroke, whether that's a re-hit from the same spot or a drop after taking relief.
What is the difference between foursomes and greensomes?
In foursomes, only one partner tees off on each hole. In greensomes, both partners tee off, the team chooses the better drive, and the partner whose drive wasn't chosen plays the second shot. After that, both formats alternate strokes until the ball is holed.
Is alternate shot played in the Ryder Cup?
Yes. Foursomes is one of the team formats played in the Ryder Cup, alongside four-ball, before the singles matches on the final day. It's often seen as the toughest test of a partnership, because every shot depends on the last. The Solheim Cup and Presidents Cup also use foursomes matches.