Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Foursomes Match Play is a match in which two partners form each side and play one ball with alternate strokes. Partners also alternate who tees off on each hole. The side with the lower score wins that hole, subject to handicap strokes and the Terms of the Competition.
How it matters in match play
Each side competes hole by hole rather than against the total field score. Partners alternate tee shots by hole and then alternate every subsequent stroke, so the side's result depends on one shared ball. A hole is won by the side with fewer strokes, halved when scores are equal, and the match ends when one side leads by more holes than remain or otherwise wins under the match-play rules.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Foursomes Match Play |
| Category | general |
| Applicable rule | Rules of Golf Rule 22.1 and Rule 22.3; Rule 3.2a; WHS Appendix C |
| Related concepts | Foursomes, Team Match Play, Match Play, Handicap Allowance |
Worked example
Alex and Ben play one ball for their side and Chris and Dana do the same: after Alex tees off, Ben plays the next stroke, while Chris tees off for the other side; if Alex and Ben take 4 and Chris and Dana take 5, Alex and Ben win the hole and go 1 up.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf Rule 22.1 and Rule 22.3; Rule 3.2a; WHS Appendix C
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
How many balls does each side use in Foursomes Match Play?
Each side uses one ball. The two partners take alternate strokes throughout each hole, including alternating who plays the tee shot on each hole.
Can partners choose who tees off on every hole?
No. The side chooses who tees off on the first hole unless the Terms of the Competition say otherwise, then the partners alternate the teeing order from hole to hole.
What handicap allowance is recommended for Foursomes Match Play?
WHS Appendix C recommends 50% of the combined team handicap for Foursomes. The Committee should state the allowance in the Terms of the Competition, and match-play strokes are then applied according to the applicable Playing Handicaps.
Does a penalty stroke change which partner plays next?
No. Under Rule 22, a penalty stroke does not change the alternating order; the partner who should play next remains the one who plays the next stroke.
Is Foursomes Match Play the same as Four-Ball Match Play?
No. In Foursomes, each side plays one ball with partners alternating strokes. In Four-Ball Match Play, each partner plays their own ball and the side normally uses the better score for the hole.
What happens if both sides take the same score on a hole?
The hole is halved, so neither side goes up or down from that hole. The match continues with the existing match score.