Greensomes offers a fantastic blend of teamwork and individual play, making it one of the most popular and enjoyable golf formats you can play. It's a strategic two-person team game that keeps both players involved on every hole by combining a choice of drives with alternate shot play. This guide will walk you through exactly how Greensomes works, from the basic rules and handicap calculations to the on-course strategy that will help you and your partner come out on top.
Often called Canadian Foursomes or Scotch Foursomes (though there can be minor differences), Greensomes is a two-person team format. At first, it might feel like a Foursomes (Alternate Shot) an old classic, but it begins with a fun twist that changes the entire dynamic of the hole.
Here is the step-by-step flow of how you play a hole in Greensomes:
It’s that simple. The opening drive is the only time both players hit a shot on the same turn. The rest of the hole is pure teamwork.
Let's paint a picture. You (Player A) and your partner (Player B) are on the tee of a 380-yard par 4.
Your team’s score for the hole is 4. You used Player B's drive, then Player A's second shot, Player B's third shot (putt), and Player A's fourth shot (putt).
Handicap calculation can feel a bit like math class, but the standard method for Greensomes is fairly straightforward. Most clubs and events use a formula that combines a percentage of each player's handicap. While you should always confirm the specific formula with the tournament organizer, the most common one is:
(Lower Handicap x 0.6) + (Higher Handicap x 0.4) = Team Handicap
The total is then rounded to the nearest whole number. Let’s look at an example to make it clear:
Here’s the calculation:
Rounding 15.6 to the nearest whole number gives your team a combined handicap of 16. This means you get 16 strokes in your match play or stableford competition, applied to the appropriate stroke index holes on the scorecard.
Good Greensomes play is more than just hitting a ball. It’s about leveraging your partner's strengths and setting them up for success. This isn't just alternate shot, it's smart, collaborative golf.
The tee shot in Greensomes is where most of the strategy happens. Having two attempts gives you a tremendous advantage, but only if you use it wisely.
The "Bomber and the Fairway Finder" Pairing: This is the classic, most effective partnership. One player, the "bomber," can swing for the fences with the driver. If it finds the short grass, great! If it goes a little wild, there’s no big penalty because the "fairway finder" is there to put a safe ball in play, often with a 3-wood or hybrid. This player’s job is simply to get the ball onto the fairway, taking the pressure off the big hitter. This freedom often allows the longer hitter to relax and hit better drives anyway.
Communicating on the Tee: Don't just show up and hit. Have a quick chat. "Okay, this is a tight hole. I’ll just try to put one in the fairway on the left side." This helps your partner adjust their plan. If the first player hits a great drive, the second player can swing more aggressively or perhaps try a different line to see if they can get an even better position.
Strategy on Par 3s: On a par 3, both players hitting the green feels like a huge win. Often, you'll just take the shot that's closer to the hole. The strategy depends on your team's strengths. If one player is a much better iron player, maybe they hit first to put the pressure on the other team (if playing match play). Then the second player knows they are already on the green and can try to stick it even closer.
Remember the rule: the person who didn't hit the chosen drive plays the next shot. This is a game of management.
Set Your Partner Up: Let’s say your partner smashes a perfect drive down the middle. Now you're up. Your first job isn't to be a hero and knock the flag out. It's to put your partner in a good position for their next shot. This might mean laying up to a spot that provides the best angle to the pin, or simply ensuring you hit the fat part of the green. Ask them! "Where would you like me to leave this for your chip?" or "What's an easy distance you like for a third shot?" This dialogue is what separates the average teams from the great ones.
Thinking Ahead on the Green: The same logic applies to approach shots. If you have a tricky, downhill putt coming up, maybe it's better to leave the approach shot just short of the green, leaving your partner a straightforward uphill chip shot they are more comfortable with. Your job is to think one shot ahead and consider what you're leaving your partner.
Once you are on the green, it plays out just like Foursomes (alternate shot). But that doesn't mean the communication stops. Both players should read the putt, discuss the line and speed, and come to a shared conclusion. The player who isn't putting should still be fully engaged, helping their partner build confidence a better plan. The most important rule? Stay positive. Missed putts are part of golf. Forgive your partner instantly, as you'll want them to do the same for you on the next hole.
Golf clubs love to add their own spin on formats, so it’s good to be aware of a few common variations or names you might hear.
Greensomes is a wonderful format that emphasizes the social and strategic side of golf. It keeps things exciting by letting both partners contribute off the tee and forces you to think as a team to navigate the rest of the hole. Embrace the teamwork, communicate openly with your partner, and you’ll have a great time on the course.
Even in a fun and seemingly straightforward format like Greensomes, making smarter choices can be the difference between a good day and a great one. We built Caddie AI to help give you that extra edge, providing immediate course management advice right when you need it. By analyzing the hole and even photos of your lie, our app can help your team decide where the ideal tee shot should land or suggest the best way to play an approach to set your partner up perfectly, removing the guesswork so you can focus on working together and playing confident golf.
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