Page type: Regional rules guide
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Regional conventions and their limits
In Australia, describe Greensomes as a two-player side format: both partners tee off, the side selects one tee shot, and the partner whose tee shot was not selected plays the next stroke. The partners then alternate strokes until the hole is completed; both tee off again on the next hole. The R&A lists this as a variation of Foursomes, and its guidance says that situations not covered by the Rules or the format's additional modifications should be decided by the Committee in a reasonable, fair and consistent way. For handicap competitions, the WHS Appendix C recommendation is 60% of the lower Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher Course Handicap. The allowance is applied to the unrounded Course Handicap as the final step in calculating Playing Handicap; the Committee should state the allowance in the Terms of Competition. There is no reliable national evidence here for a universal Australian drive minimum, placement-distance rule, preferred-lie convention, or distinct local name. An Australian club may add such conditions, but they are event or club terms, not national Greensomes rules. Confirm the day's Terms of Competition before play.
Table
| Item | Regional reference |
|---|---|
| Format | greensomes |
| Region | Australia |
| Local name | Greensomes; in Australian competition material it is best presented as a selected-drive variation of foursomes, rather than given an unsupported Australian-only alias. |
| Rules context | Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures Section 9(B) (Greensomes); WHS Rules of Handicapping, Appendix C |
Worked example
Illustrative only: if Alex and Ben have Course Handicaps of 10 and 20, their recommended Greensomes team handicap is (60% × 10) + (40% × 20) = 6 + 8 = 14. The Committee's Terms of Competition should say how that team handicap is used and whether any local competition condition changes the recommendation.
Rule reference: Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures Section 9(B) (Greensomes); WHS Rules of Handicapping, Appendix C
Sources: www.randa.org , www.usga.org , archive.golf.org.au
Common questions
Do both Australian Greensomes partners tee off on every hole?
Yes. Both partners tee off, then the side selects one tee shot. The partner whose tee shot was not selected plays the next stroke, and play continues in alternating order.
What handicap allowance is recommended for Greensomes in Australia?
WHS Appendix C recommends 60% of the lower Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher Course Handicap. Treat that as a recommendation and check the competition's published Terms of Competition.
Is a Greensomes drive minimum an Australian national rule?
Not on the evidence used here. A club or event may require a minimum number of drives from each partner, but that is a local competition condition and should not be presented as a universal Australian rule.
Is Greensomes the same as ordinary foursomes?
No. Ordinary foursomes has partners alternating tee shots by hole. In Greensomes both partners tee off on each hole, one tee shot is selected, and alternate-stroke play starts from that selected ball.
What happens if the format terms do not cover a Greensomes situation?
The R&A's Committee Procedures guidance says the Committee should decide an uncovered situation reasonably, fairly and consistently with similar situations. Players should check the event terms or ask the Committee before play where possible.
Are Pinehurst and Chapman automatically the same as Greensomes?
No. They are related variations, but their ball-selection and second-stroke procedures differ. Use the exact format named in the event terms rather than assuming the labels are interchangeable.