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 way to plan before your round, and how to work with your partner on the course to shoot a great score.
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.
While the concept is straightforward, there are a few specific fundamental 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.
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.
Think about building a complete golfer out of two people.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Constant, clear communication is everything. After you hit a shot, give your partner useful information.
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?
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.
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.
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