Four-player and Four-ball: What’s the difference?

Most golfers know that you can play many competitive formats such as stroke games, matches, skin games, etc. Several of this formats – foursome and foursomes – are even synonyms for suspiciousness. But do you know the difference?

Four-man and four-ball may sound used interchangeably, but in reality, they are obviously different games. This is important given the format occupies team games such as the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup and the Zurich Classic. Here is a short summary that makes each format unique.

Four people

Foursomes is a form of team competition or stroke covered by Rule 22 in golf rules.

You probably know it’s “alternative shooting.”

“(Foursomes are) a form of a game or stroke game where you and your partner compete in alternating order of playing a ball on each hole.

Due to the trust and collaboration required, it is often considered the ultimate form of teamwork because you will not only play your own ball. Nothing knows like shooting a camera that your partner will hit the next one.

Four balls

Four-ball is also a form of team games or stroke games, which is covered in Rule 23.

“Four balls are a form of game (in a game or a stroke game) involving partners, you and your partner as a side competition, each of you playing your own ball, and the score around you is the lower score for both of you holes.”

This format is also known for other names such as low balls or best balls. Even if each player is playing his own ball, the strategy can vary depending on the performance of his teammate or opponent.

Next time you open the golf team, whether it’s the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup or the Zurich Classic, you’ll be an expert.

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