How to Play Foursomes Golf

Playing golf with a partner can be one of the most rewarding experiences on the course, and the foursomes format is the ultimate test of teamwork. A fast-paced and strategic game, it pressures you in unique ways but can also deliver some of the biggest thrills. This guide will walk you through exactly how to play foursomes, from the basic rules to the on-course strategies that will help you and your partner succeed (and still be friends after the 18th hole).

What Exactly is Foursomes Golf?

Often called "alternate shot," foursomes is a golf format played by two-person teams. It’s wonderfully simple in theory but incredibly challenging in practice. Each team plays with only one ball, and the two players take turns hitting shots until the ball is in the hole. If you hit the tee shot, your partner hits the second shot, you hit the third, and so on. It's the format you see prominently in team competitions like the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and Presidents Cup, known for creating dramatic moments and testing the resolve of even the world's best players.

The Two Key Rules to Remember

Understanding foursomes boils down to knowing how to handle two situations: the tee shots and the order of play.

1. The Tee Shot Rotation: Before you begin the round, you and your partner must decide who will tee off on the odd-numbered holes (1, 3, 5, etc.) and who will tee off on the even-numbered holes (2, 4, 6, etc.). This decision is final and stays the same for the entire round, regardless of who holed the putt on the previous hole. This singular decision is one of the most important strategic choices you'll make all day.
2. The Alternate Shot Sequence: Once the tee shot is hit, the players alternate shots. For example, on Hole 1, Player A tees off. Player B hits the second shot from where Player A’s ball landed. Player A then hits the third shot, and they continue this pattern until they hole out. On Hole 2, Player B tees off, and Player A hits the second shot.

Penalty strokes do not affect the order of play. If Player A hits a shot that goes out of bounds, Player B will be the one to hit the next shot from the designated spot, after taking the penalty.

A Common Foursomes Variation: Greensomes (or Pinehurst)

If you're looking for a slightly more forgiving and popular club-level format, you'll love Greensomes (also known as Canadian Foursomes or, with a slight twist, Pinehurst). Here’s how it works:

• Both players on the team hit their own tee shots.
• They walk up and decide which of the two drives is in the better position.
• They pick up the other ball.
• The player whose tee shot was not selected plays the second shot.
• From that point on, they play alternate shots until the ball is holed.

Greensomes relieves a lot of the pressure of a pure foursomes format, as it almost always ensures you're playing your second shot from a good position in the fairway. It’s a fantastic way to get introduced to team golf.

How to Win at Foursomes: Strategy and Course Management

Success in foursomes goes far beyond just hitting good shots. It's a game of strategy, trust, and setting your partner up for success. Thinking like a team is everything.

Step 1: Choose the Right Partner

The best foursomes partner isn't always the player with the lowest handicap. Chemistry and compatibility are far more important. A great partner is someone who:

• Has a Positive Attitude: This is non-negotiable. You will hit bad shots and put each other in trouble. A partner who can laugh it off and say, "no worries, I'll get us out of this," is worth their weight in gold.
• Complements Your Skills: Does one of you excel with the driver while the other is a wizard with the wedges? Are you a great long-iron player, while your partner is a clutch putter? Pairing complementary skill sets can create a formidable team.
• You Genuinely Enjoy Playing With: Foursomes is meant to be fun. Pick someone whose company you enjoy for four hours, and the rest will fall into place.

Step 2: Decide Who Tees Off on Odd vs. Even Holes

Don't make this decision with a coin toss. This is your first major strategic move. Walk through the scorecard hole by hole and think critically about it.

Here’s how to break it down:

• "The Driver" vs. "The Irons Player": Who is the more consistent driver? That player should be assigned the holes that absolutely demand a tee shot in the fairway - the holes with tight landing areas, water hazards, or out-of-bounds stakes lining the fairway.
• Exploiting Par 3s and Par 5s: Look at the par 3s. Do they require long, difficult tee shots? Have your best long-iron player tee off on those. For the par 5s, the player with more distance could tee off, setting up their partner for a chance to go for the green in two. Conversely, you might want your stronger fairway wood player to hit the second shot on par 5s.
• Work Backwards from the Green: The most advanced strategy is to think about the approach shots. Let's say Hole 7 is a short par 4 where the tee shot leaves a full wedge. If your partner is phenomenal with a wedge in their hands, you should take the tee shot on that hole, even if it feels "easy." Your job is to set them up with their favorite club and distance.

An Example Scenario:

Let's say Player A is a long but occasionally wild driver, and Player B is shorter but incredibly straight. Holes 2, 8, 12, and 16 are all tight par 4s with serious trouble. Holes 1, 9, and 15 are longer Par 5s. In this case, it makes sense for Player B (the straight hitter) to tee off on the even holes and Player A (the longer hitter) to tee off on the odd holes to take advantage of the Par 5s while minimizing risk on the tighter holes.

Step 3: Master Team-First Course Management

The golden rule of foursomes is straightforward: Leave your partner in a better position than you would leave yourself.

This means you must abandon your ego and play the "we" game, not the "me" game.

• Adopt a "Fairways and Greens" Mentality: This isn't the time for hero shots. Hitting the middle of the fairway with a hybrid is infinitely better than hitting a driver into the trees and forcing your partner to punch out. Consistency is king.
• Don't Be a Hero: Stuck behind a tree? Tempted to try that one-in-a-million Phil Mickelson slice around the corner? Don't do it. The smart play is to take your medicine, pitch out sideways to a good yardage, and trust your partner to hit the next shot close. A bogey is not a disaster in foursomes. A triple-bogey is.
• Communicate Your Plan: Before every shot, talk it through. "I'm going to aim at the left half of the green and let it drift towards the pin." "I feel more comfortable with a bump-and-run than a touchy lob shot here." This eliminates surprises and gets you both on the same page. The person whose turn it is to hit always has the final say, but the discussion is vital.
• Avoid Short-Siding at all Costs: This is a big one. It's better to miss the green with 40 feet of green to work with than to miss by 5 feet and leave your partner with an impossible buried bunker shot. Always play to the fat side of the green.

The Mental Game: How to Survive Foursomes as a Team

Foursomes can be mentally grueling. Keeping your team’s morale high is as important as any shot you'll hit.

The "Apologize Once" Rule

You’re going to hit a bad shot that puts your teammate in a terrible spot. It’s inevitable. When it happens, offer a quick and sincere, "My bad," or "Sorry about that." Your partner will likely say, "No problem." And that’s it. The contract is complete. Do not dwell on it. Do not analyze what went wrong. Constant apologies just add pressure and bring negative energy to the next shot. Apologize once, learn from it, and move on immediately.

Be Your Partner's Biggest Supporter

This a simple a fundamental aspect of team sports which is always relevant. Your job is to be the ultimate cheerleader.

• Praise good shots genuinely. "Great drive!" or "Fantastic putt!" goes a long way.
• If your partner hits a bad one, your response should be instant and unwavering: "Don't worry, we're fine," or "Shake it off, let's get the next one."
• Never, ever show negative body language after your partner's shot. No slumped shoulders, eye rolls, or throwing your hands up in despair. You are a team. Win together, lose together.

Final Thoughts

Foursomes is a brilliant format that rewards good strategy, communication, and, above all, teamwork. It teaches you to play for someone other than yourself and to focus on the smart play over the spectacular one, making you a more disciplined and resilient golfer in the process.

When you're out there debating the right play on a difficult dogleg or trying to solve a tricky lie, an objective opinion can be a game-changer for your team. This is exactly why we designed Caddie AI to be an expert course-management partner in your pocket. You and your partner can get an instant strategy for any hole or even get advice on how to play a tough shot by simply taking a photo, helping your team make smarter decisions that lead to lower scores.