How to Play Alternate Shot in Golf

Alternate shot golf, often called foursomes, is one of the most rewarding and intense ways to play the game, turning our usually solitary sport into a true team collaboration. It’s a format that tests your skills, strategy, and partnership unlike any other. This guide will walk you through the essential rules, the smartest a way to plan before your round, and how to work with your partner on the course to shoot a great score.

What is Alternate Shot Golf?

Alternate shot is a golf format for teams of two. It's quite simple in principle: you and your partner play just one ball, taking turns hitting shots until the ball is holed. If you hit the tee shot, your partner hits the second shot, you hit the third, and so on. It’s a popular format seen in high-profile team events like the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and Presidents Cup because it places a massive premium on teamwork and strategy.

The beauty of alternate shot lies in its pace and its demand for a different kind of thinking. You’re not just playing for yourself, you're constantly thinking about setting your partner up for success. A well-played round of foursomes is incredibly satisfying, as it represents a seamless blend of two players' games and minds.

The Fundamental Rules You Need to Know

While the concept is straightforward, there are a few specific rules and procedures that are important to get right. Messing these up can lead to penalties that are tough to recover from in such a demanding format.

• Deciding the Tee-Off Order: Before the round, your team must decide which player will tee off on the odd-numbered holes and which player will tee off on the even-numbered holes. This order stays the same for the entire round, regardless of who holed out on the previous green. This is the most important strategic decision you'll make all day.
• Following the Sequence: Once the tee shot is hit, players must alternate hitting shots strictly. Playing out of turn results in a penalty of loss of hole in match play or a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. In stroke play, the shot must be replayed by the correct partner from the spot where the incorrect shot was played. That stings.
• Penalties and Lost Balls: The alternate shot sequence continues even after a penalty. For instance, if Player A hits the tee shot into a water hazard, the team takes a one-stroke penalty. Player B must then play the team's third shot from the designated drop area or wherever you choose according to the rules. If you hit a provisional ball, the player who did not hit the original shot is the one who hits the provisional. Same logic: you're just continuing the alternating sequence.

Pre-Round Strategy Part 1: Choosing the Right Partner

Winning at alternate shot begins long before you step onto the first tee. Choosing the right partner is about more than just picking the lowest handicap player you know. You’re looking for a partner whose game and personality complement your own.

Balancing Strengths and Weaknesses

Think about building a complete golfer out of two people.

• The Driver + Iron Player Combo: The classic pairing. If you're a great driver of the ball, consistently finding fairways, matching with a player who excels with their approach shots is a powerful combination. You handle the pressure off the tee, and they handle the precision into the greens.
• The Scrambler + The Steady Hand: Maybe neither of you is a perfect ball-striker. Pairing a creative player who is a magician around the greens with a steady player who rarely gets into serious trouble can be very effective. The steady player keeps the ball in play, and the scrambler does the cleanup work.

Matching Personalities

This might be even more important than matching skills. You are going to hit bad shots, and your partner is going to hit bad shots. How you both react will define your round.

• The Fire and Ice Combo: A highly emotional or intense player often does well with a calm, level-headed partner who can keep things from spiraling. The calm player can be the steadying influence when things get tense.
• Communication Style: If you’re a player who likes to talk through every shot and strategy, find a partner who does the same. If you prefer to be quiet and focused, a chatty partner might throw you off. Agreeing on a communication style beforehand prevents friction on the course.

Pre-Round Strategy Part 2: Deciding Who Tees Off Where

Once you have your partner, the next big decision is assigning the odd and even holes. Don’t just flip a coin! Pull out the scorecard and look over the course layout together. Your goal is to put each player in their comfort zone on the most important shots.

Key Holes to Analyze:

• The Par 5s: Look at the par 5s. Which player is better with the driver? Which is better a laying up to a specific number or going for the green in two with a fairway wood or hybrid? It’s often best to have your premiere driver hit the tee shots on reachable par 5s to give you a chance at an eagle putt.
• The Par 3s: These are critical. You hit a tee shot, and your partner is putting. Who is your team's best long-iron player? Who is the most accurate with middle irons? Assign the Par 3s accordingly. For example, if holes 4, 8, 12, and 16 are all par 3s that require mid-to-short irons, the player who excels with those clubs should probably be the one teeing off on the even holes.
• The Toughest Par 4s: Every course has a few terrifying par 4s. Which one requires an absolutely perfect tee shot? Put your best driver on that tee. Which one requires a heroic approach shot over water or from 180+ yards out? You want your best iron player hitting that second shot.
• The Finishing Stretch: Pay special attention to holes 16, 17, and 18. Who do you want hitting the pressure tee shot on 18 with the match on the line? Plan your odd/even decision with the end in mind.

Sometimes, there is no perfect answer. The goal is to maximize your advantages. If you know Player A is the clear choice for the majority of the par 3s, that might be the deciding factor, even if it means Player B has a slightly less ideal shot on another hole.

On-Course Strategy: How to Work as a Team

With your plan in place, it’s time to execute. Solid on-course strategy is about communication, setting your partner up, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Communicate Everything

Constant, clear communication is everything. After you hit a shot, give your partner useful information.

• "That was my 7-iron, full swing." This tells them how the ball is reacting to the conditions - if it flew further or shorter than expected, it helps them with their own club choice on a future shot.
• "I aimed at the left edge of the bunker, hit it solid but it drifted a little right." This gives context. Was it user error or did the wind affect it more than you thought? Invaluable information for your partner's next play.
• Discuss Strategy Openly: Before hitting an approach, talk it through. "The pin is tucked right. I think the safe play is the middle of the green to give you an uphill putt. Sound good?" This gets you both committed to the same shot.

The Cardinal Rule: Set Your Partner Up

The goal is to leave your partner with the easiest possible next shot. This is especially true after a poor shot. If your partner hits one into the trees, don't try to be a hero and thread a needle through a tiny gap. That puts far too much pressure on one shot. Take your medicine. The best play is often to simply chip out sideways to a good yardage in the fairway. This turns one bad shot into a recovery, not a disaster. Always be thinking one shot ahead - what can I do *now* to make my partner's job *next* as simple as possible?

Forgive and Forget

The spoken and unspoken rule of alternate shot is: never apologize for a bad shot. Apologizing just adds pressure and makes your partner feel guilty for a mistake they probably feel bad enough about already. A simple "don't worry about it" or "we'll get it back" is all that's needed. Likewise, when your partner leaves you in a tough spot, don't show any frustration. You’re a team. You accept good shots and bad shots together. Stay positive and focus on the next shot - it’s the only one you can control.

Final Thoughts

Playing alternate shot well is a test of golf in its purest form, blending individual skill with teamwork, strategy, and mutual support. It forces you to think differently, play conservatively at times, and trust your partner completely. Master its rhythms, and it's some of the most fun you'll ever have on a course.

When your partner leaves you a difficult shot - like a tricky lie in the rough or a complex greenside bunker shot - it can be tough to know the right play with confidence. This is exactly where we designed Caddie AI to help. Instead of guessing, you can get an instant, objective opinion on how to handle the situation. A photo of your lie gives you simple, strategic advice, helping you turn a potential disaster into a manageable recovery and execute the shot your team needs.