Page type: Regional rules guide
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Regional conventions and their limits
In a US competition, Greensomes is best treated as a Committee-defined variation of Foursomes rather than as a standalone format with one universal local rule set. Both partners tee off on each hole. The side selects one tee shot, and the partner whose tee shot was not selected plays the next stroke; partners then alternate strokes until the ball is holed. The R&A places this description in its Committee Procedures under “Other Forms of Play”, while the USGA WHS Appendix C lists Greensomes with a recommended allowance of 60% of the lower Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher Course Handicap. Apply that percentage to the unrounded Course Handicaps, then round the resulting team Playing Handicap as required by the Terms of the Competition. For a match, the lower team Playing Handicap is normally zero relative to the other side, which receives the difference. A Committee should publish tee-shot selection, playing order, handicap calculation, rounding, ties and any local variations in the Terms of the Competition; casual groups should agree these details before starting. The USGA source identifies the allowance but does not establish a national club-day convention for drive minimums or preferred lies.
Table
| Item | Regional reference |
|---|---|
| Format | greensomes |
| Region | USA |
| Local name | Greensomes. The USGA names the format Greensomes in its WHS Appendix C; this record does not assert a separate universal US nickname. The R&A describes it as a variation of Foursomes. |
| Rules context | R&A Official Guide, Committee Procedures Section 9B (Greensomes); WHS Rules of Handicapping, Appendix C; Rules of Golf Rule 3.1b (partners as a side) and Rule 3.2c (match-play handicap strokes) |
Worked example
Illustrative only: Alex and Ben have Course Handicaps of 8 and 14. Their Greensomes team handicap is (60% × 8) + (40% × 14) = 4.8 + 5.6 = 10.4, which would normally round to 10 under the competition terms. If Chris and Dana have a team Playing Handicap of 13, the lower team plays from 0 and the other side receives 3 strokes in a match. These are not historical player results.
Rule reference: R&A Official Guide, Committee Procedures Section 9B (Greensomes); WHS Rules of Handicapping, Appendix C; Rules of Golf Rule 3.1b (partners as a side) and Rule 3.2c (match-play handicap strokes)
Sources: www.usga.org , www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is Greensomes the same as foursomes in the United States?
Not exactly. Both use two-player sides and alternate strokes, but Greensomes lets both partners tee off before the side selects one tee shot. In ordinary Foursomes, the side uses one ball and partners alternate tee shots as well as subsequent strokes. The Committee should state the format being used.
What handicap allowance does USGA Appendix C recommend for Greensomes?
Appendix C lists 60% of the lower Course Handicap plus 40% of the higher Course Handicap. The allowance is applied to unrounded Course Handicaps as the final step in calculating the Playing Handicap; the Terms of the Competition control any permitted adjustment or rounding detail.
Which partner plays after the selected tee shot?
The partner whose tee shot was not selected plays the next stroke. The partners then alternate strokes until the ball is holed. This is the standard Greensomes sequence described by the R&A Committee Procedures.
Does the US have one compulsory Greensomes drive minimum?
No universal drive minimum is established by the USGA sources used here. A club or event Committee may set competition terms, but its drive minimum, tee choices, tie method and other conditions should not be presented as a national US rule.
Can Greensomes be played as match play?
Yes, if the Committee sets it up that way. Rules of Golf Rule 3 recognises match play with partners competing as a side, while Greensomes supplies the format-specific stroke sequence. In match play, apply the agreed team Playing Handicaps and normally give the higher-handicap side the difference from the lower side.
Is Pinehurst the same as Greensomes?
Not in the basic version. The R&A lists Pinehurst Foursomes as a Greensomes variation in which both players tee off, then each plays the other player’s ball for the second stroke before the side chooses a ball and continues alternate shot. Terms should name the exact variation.