Page type: Regional rules guide
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Regional conventions and their limits
In US Rules of Golf terminology, foursomes is also known as alternate shot. Two partners play as one side with one ball, alternating strokes on every hole. They alternate which partner tees off first from hole to hole, then continue alternating strokes until the hole is completed. Foursomes may be played as match play or stroke play. Rule 22 also permits partners to take allowed actions for the side, and a side may share clubs provided the partners have no more than 14 clubs in total. The USGA’s WHS Appendix C recommends a 50% handicap allowance based on the partners’ combined team handicap for foursomes. That is a recommendation, not an automatic rule for every event: the Committee or national, regional or club authority may set the allowance and the Terms of the Competition should specify it. For match play, after the applicable allowance, the lowest Playing Handicap is normally set at zero relative to the other side; in stroke play, sides generally receive their adjusted Playing Handicap. These are US governing guidance points, while a club event can adopt stated variations.
Table
| Item | Regional reference |
|---|---|
| Format | foursomes |
| Region | USA |
| Local name | Foursomes, commonly called alternate shot in the US; the USGA Rule 22 heading uses both names. |
| Rules context | Rules of Golf Rule 22; WHS Rules of Handicapping Appendix C |
Worked example
Illustrative match-play calculation: Alex and Ben have Course Handicaps 10 and 14, so their combined 24 receives the recommended 50% foursomes allowance, giving a team Playing Handicap of 12. Chris and Dana have 8 and 12, so their combined 20 becomes 10. The lower team plays from zero and Alex-Ben receives 2 strokes relative to them; the Committee’s Terms of Competition control the event calculation.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf Rule 22; WHS Rules of Handicapping Appendix C
Sources: www.usga.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is foursomes the same as alternate shot in the US?
Yes. The USGA Rule 22 heading calls foursomes ‘also known as alternate shot’. Partners play one ball and alternate strokes.
Can foursomes be match play or stroke play?
Yes. Rule 22 covers both. The two partners remain one side, but the scoring and result follow the selected competition format.
What handicap allowance is recommended for US foursomes?
WHS Appendix C recommends 50% of the partners’ combined team handicap. Check the Terms of the Competition because the Committee or authorised association may set the allowance.