Scoring well in foursomes golf, or alternate shot, is less about raw talent and more about smart strategy and even smarter teamwork. It’s a challenging format that can test friendships, but when played correctly, it’s one of the most rewarding ways to experience a round of golf. This guide will walk you through the essential tactics, from pre-round planning to on-course execution, to help you and your partner play as a cohesive unit and post a great score.
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Before we get into strategy, let's make sure we're on the same page. Foursomes is a team format played by two golfers. Here’s how it works:
The beauty and frustration of the format lie in its rhythm. You don’t get to hit another shot immediately after a bad one - you have to trust your partner to recover. Conversely, you feel the pressure to put your partner in a good position after they hit a great shot. It’s a true-test of partnership.
The match can be won or lost before you even step on the first tee. Solid preparation separates the teams that limp in complaining from the ones who walk off with a win.
Your ideal foursomes partner isn't always the best player you know. They are the player you are most compatible with. Look for a partner with a steady temperament who won't get bent out of shape after a bad shot (yours or theirs). The best partnerships are built on similar games, styles of play, and, most importantly, a positive and resilient attitude. A good conversation and a laugh between shots are often more valuable than an extra 20 yards off the tee.
This is arguably the single most important strategic decision you'll make. Don't just flip a coin. Grab the scorecard and analyze the course layout. Here’s a simple system:
For example, if the course has long, demanding par 3s on holes 3, 7, 13, and 17, and your partner is a phenomenal long-iron player, you'd want them teeing off on the odd-numbered holes. It takes a little homework, but this planning gives you a statistical advantage from the start.
This sounds minor, but it matters. The two of you will be hitting the same ball, so you both need to feel comfortable with its performance, especially around the greens. Compromise is the name of the game. If you play a Pro V1x and your partner plays a soft Chrome Soft, find a middle ground or agree to play one type of ball that you’ve both practiced with. The last thing you want is for one partner to feel uncertain about spin or feel over every chips and putt.
Once the game is underway, success boils down to execution and mindset. Shift your focus from individual scoring to team survival and opportunity.
This is the prime directive of foursomes golf. Your number one job is not to hit the heroic, tournament-winning shot. Your job is to give your partner a playable next shot. That means clubbing down off the tee to find the fairway, aiming for the center of the green instead of flag hunting, and always choosing the high-percentage option.
Big numbers in foursomes don't happen because of one bad shot, they happen when a bad shot is followed by a foolish recovery attempt. If your partner puts you in the trees, don't try to be a hero and thread the needle. Take your medicine. Punch out sideways to the fairway and say, "We've got this." Saving bogey after being in jail feels like making a birdie in this format.
This is a classic piece of foursomes advice for a reason. Hitting a bad shot is part of golf. Apologizing to your partner only adds a layer of extra pressure and negativity. They know you didn't try to hit it into the woods. A simple tap on the shoulder or a quick, "Alright, let's go find it," is all that’s needed.
Instead of apologizing, focus your communication on the shot at hand:
Great foursomes partners don't just hit good shots, they set their partners up for success. This means understanding your partner’s strengths. If your partner is a great chipper, your goal on an approach shot that might miss the green is to leave them with a straightforward chip. If they are a fantastic lag putter, aiming for a an eight-footer on side-hill might not be the leave to go for..
This mindset applies everywhere. Are you leaving them a 40-yard pitch or a bump-an- run? Do they prefer putting from above or below the hole? Playing to your partner’s strengths is an advanced Foursomes tactic that shaves strokes off your score.
On the green, create a simple and consistent routine to avoid confusion. A great system is to have the player whose turn it *isn’t* to putt to take charge of reading the green. They can assess the line from behind the ball and from the low side. Once they have a confident read, they deliver the information clearly to the partner who is putting. The partner who’s putting up, on the other hand can fully trust the second assessment and dedicate 100% of their focus on pace and starting the ball on the right line. This removes doubt and allows each player to commit fully to their role.
Foursomes golf challenges your skills in a completely different way, prioritizing strategy, patience, and partnership above all else. Success comes from making smart, conservative decisions, keeping the ball in a position where your partner can play, and maintaining a positive attitude no matter what happens.
Making those smart, unemotional calls in the heat of the moment can be tough. I’ve found that using the right tools can make a difference. Tools like Caddie AI give you access to instant, PGA-level on-course strategies so you never have to guess. When you're facing a tough tee shot or a tricky lie in the rough, it can provide a smart play to keep your team out of trouble - a game-changer in a format where one bad decision can derail a hole.
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