Winning at four-ball golf isn't just about hitting good shots - it's about one of you hitting a decent shot so the other can go for a great one. This game is all about team strategy, calculated aggression, and knowing when your partner has your back. This guide will walk you through the mindset and on-course tactics you and your partner need to stop playing two individual games and start playing as a dominant team.
In four-ball, also known as "better ball," you and a partner compete as a team. Each of you plays your own golf ball from tee to green on every hole. At the end of the hole, you simply compare your two scores and circle the lower one - that’s your team score. If you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, the team score is 4. If you both make a 4, the team score is still 4. Any score from either partner counts, so you technically have two chances on every hole.
The beauty of this format is that it fundamentally changes how you should approach the game. An ugly double bogey from your partner doesn't matter if you make a tidy par. This built-in safety net is everything. It removes the fear of a blow-up hole, which should liberate you to play with more freedom and aggression. But only if you use a smart strategy.
The best four-ball teams lay the groundwork for their round before they ever step on the first tee. A quick five-minute chat can align your strategy and prevent confusion and frustration on the course.
No two golfers are the same. Are you the steady player who rarely misses a fairway? Is your partner a grip-it-and-rip-it bomber who might find some trouble but also makes a lot of birdies? Understanding your complementary styles is the foundation of four-ball strategy. Ideally, you want a mix.
Decide who naturally fits these roles. It helps to designate who will generally tee off first on most holes. Typically, the "Fairway Finder" goes first to establish a baseline, giving the "Aggressor" a green light.
Decide how you're going to work together during the round. It's a team game, so act like a team.
This is the golden rule of four-ball golf. On nearly every shot - from tee to green - your goal is to establish one "safe" ball and then free up the second player to go for the hero shot. Forget this principle, and you're just two individuals playing stroke play... and you'll likely lose to a team that's working together.
The order of play is not just about honors. It’s a strategic choice. The player first to hit almost always has the same objective: get the ball in play. Let's break this down by shot type:
Example: On a 380-yard par-4 with water down the right, Player 1 aims way left and hits an iron, leaving a 7-iron in. Player 2 can now hit driver down the riskier right side. If they pull it off, they might only have a wedge in. If they find the water, the team still has a great look at par with Player 1's ball.
Good mechanics will only get you so far. Four-ball is a deeply psychological game, and managing emotions - both your own and your partner's - is what separates the winning teams from the pack.
Let's be real: on most days, one player will carry the team. It’s rare for both partners to be firing on all cylinders for 18 holes. If you’re the one who can’t find a fairway, don’t stress. Your role has changed, but it's still tremendously important.
If your partner is playing well, your new job is to be the best supporter you can be. Help them read putts. Give them encouragement. Keep them calm. Most importantly, don't try to force your own game and "help out." Pressing is a one-way ticket to making things worse. Stay patient! Chances are you'll get hot for a three-hole stretch on the back nine, and those might be the holes that win you the match. A par made by you when your partner finally slips up feels like an eagle.
Positive energy is your most powerful tool. When your partner hits a bad shot, say something encouraging like, "Don't worry about it, I've got you," and mean it. Even if they hit a terrible shot, a simple "unlucky" is more than enough. Never show frustration with their play. You are a team, and visible disappointment creates tension that can sink the entire ship. Apologize once for your own bad shots, then move on quickly. Dwelling on negativity helps no one.
Don't fall into the trap of looking at your individual scorecard and feeling like you aren't contributing if you only have one or two pars "used." Your aggressive tee shot that found the trees may have mentally freed up your partner to hit a perfect iron to 10 feet. Your bold, run-by putt may have given your partner the perfect read to drain their's for the win. Remember all the ways you can contribute beyond your own score.
The blueprint for scoring in four-ball is really about smart collaboration. By defining your roles, adopting a "one safe, one aggressive" mentality for every shot, and staying positive, you empower each other to play your best. It’s less about individual brilliance and more about creating a safety net that lets the aggressive plays B-and the birdies that come with them - happen.
Of course, building that perfect strategy on the course, especially on a hole that has multiple hazards or presents tough choices, can be tricky. This is exactly why we created Caddie AI. Think of it as that expert third teammate who can give you a clear, objective opinion on the best way to play a hole. When you and your partner are standing on the tee unsure of the right play, you can get an instant, data-driven analysis to help you make the smart decision. It removes guesswork, helping the first player identify the truly safe shot, which gives the second player the confidence and freedom they need to attack.
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