What Is a 2-Man Best Ball in Golf?

If you've seen 2-Man Best Ball on a tournament sign-up sheet and wondered what it meant, you've come to the right place. This popular golf format combines the fun of team play with the challenge of playing your own ball, creating a great mix of camaraderie and friendly competition. This guide will walk you through exactly how it works, from the basic rules to the strategies that will give your team an edge.

What Exactly Is a 2-Man Best Ball?

At its heart, a 2-Man Best Ball is a team competition involving two partners. It’s one of the most straightforward and enjoyable ways to play team golf. Here’s the simple breakdown:

• Two golfers - let's call them Player A and Player B - form a team.
• Both Player A and Player B play their own golf ball from the tee all the way into the hole. They play the hole just as they would in a regular round of stroke play.
• At the end of each hole, they compare their individual scores.
• The lower of the two scores becomes the team's official score for that hole.

For example, on a Par 4, Player A makes a par (4) and Player B makes a bogey (5). The team records a 4 for that hole. If on the next hole, Player A makes a double bogey (6) but Player B sinks a putt for birdie (3), the team proudly writes down a 3. You simply take the one "best ball" score for your team on every single hole.

This format is fantastic because it removes some of the pressure of a normal stroke play round. If you hit a bad drive or have a blow-up hole, you know your partner has your back and can still post a good score for the team. This freedom allows players to play more aggressively and often leads to more birdies and exciting moments.

How to Play a 2-Man Best Ball Round (Step-by-Step)

Playing a round of 2-Man Best Ball is intuitive once you get the rhythm down. Let's walk through it from the first tee to the final scorecard.

1. On the Tee Box

Both you and your partner will tee off. The order doesn’t officially matter according to the Rules of Golf (in stroke play), but many teams use a bit of strategy here. Often, the more consistent player will hit first to ensure a ball is safely in play, giving the other partner the freedom to be more aggressive and try to hit it a long way.

2. Playing the Hole

After the tee shots, you both walk to your own golf balls and play your second shots. You continue to play your own ball from where it lies, with no help or funny business. It’s just you, your ball, and the course - and your partner doing the same thing somewhere nearby. You both play until your balls are holed out.

3. When to Pick Up Your Ball

One of the great things about Best Ball for pace of play is that you don't always have to hole out. If you’re having a nightmare hole and are already lying 7 on a par 4, while your partner is on the green with a putt for par, you can simply pick up your ball. You can't help the team score anymore, so there's no need to grind out a triple bogey. This keeps things moving and reduces frustration.

Just make sure your score can't a) be better than your partner's or b) help your team if you get a handicap stroke on that hole (more on that later). If you're out of it, pick it up, cheer on your partner, and move on to the next hole.

4. Scoring the Hole

Once the first player is finished, they wait for their partner to hole out (unless they've already picked up). Let's look at hole scores:

• You: Score a 5
• Your Partner: Scores a 4

On the scorecard, write down a 4 as the team score for that hole. Most scorecards for team events have columns for each player's individual score and a final column for the team score. It's good practice to write down both individual scores to avoid confusion, but only the best ball score matters for the competition.

5. Tallying the Final Score

After 18 holes, you'll have 18 "best ball" scores. You simply add them up to get your team's total score. For example, if your team scores added up to 70, that's your final tournament score.

Go-To Strategy for Winning a 2-Man Best Ball

Playing well in a Best Ball event isn't just about two good golfers playing together, it's about two golfers playing smart as a team. Adopting a clear strategy can make a huge difference.

The "Anchor and the Aggressor" Approach

This is the classic and most effective Best Ball strategy. The goal is simple: on every hole, one player's job is to secure a par for the team, while the other player is free to play aggressively and hunt for a birdie.

• Player 1 (The Anchor): This player focuses on percentage golf. They hit to the fat part of the fairway, aim for the center of the green, and secure an easy two-putt par. Their goal is stress-free golf, getting the team's par "in the clubhouse."
• Player 2 (The Aggressor): Once the anchor's ball is safely in the fairway or on the green, this player can take more risks. They can try to cut the corner on a dogleg, aiming for a shorter approach shot. They can fire directly at a tucked pin. They can try to hit that monster putt knowing the team par is already safe.

Roles can change from hole to hole based on tee shots. If your partner pumps a drive down the middle, that's your cue to be the aggressor. If they find the trees, it's your job to become the anchor and find the fairway.

Communication Is Your Most Important Club

Talk to your partner constantly. It's the only way the Anchor/Aggressor strategy works. Honest communication builds confidence and helps you make smarter team decisions.

• On the tee: "I’m going to hit a hybrid here to make sure we’re in play. You can let the driver fly."
• On the fairway: "I'm in some pretty thick rough here, feels like a simple punch-out is the only play. I need you to find the green."
• On the green: "My putt is a bit tricky, I'll go first to give you a good look at the line and speed."

Use Your Strengths

Do you have a big-hitting partner? Let them try to get to or near the green on reachable par 4s and par 5s. Is your partner a phenomenal wedge player? Their job as the "Anchor" might be to lay up to their favorite yardage (say, 100 yards) to give themselves the best chance for an easy par while you try to bomb one closer to the green.

How Handicaps Work in Best Ball (Net vs. Gross)

Handicapping is what makes Best Ball fair and fun for players of all skill levels. Most club tournaments are "Net" events. Here’s what it all means.

Gross Best Ball (Scratch)

This is the simplest version. No handicap strokes are involved. You and your partner add up the lowest of your raw scores on each hole. This format is perfect for players of similar ability, but not as fair when a 5-handicapper teams up with a 20-handicapper.

Net Best Ball (With Handicaps)

This is the great equalizer. In a Net Best Ball, players get to deduct strokes on certain holes based on their handicap. The rules usually dictate you receive a percentage of your Course Handicap, often 85% or 90%. That new number tells you how many strokes you get during the round.

Example Time:

You and your partner are playing in a 90% Net Best Ball tournament.

• You: Course Handicap of 10. You get 90% of 10, which is 9 strokes.
• Your Partner: Course Handicap of 20. They get 90% of 20, which is 18 strokes.

Now, how do you use those strokes? You apply them to the hardest holes, as rated on the scorecard. The #1 handicap-rated hole is the hardest, and #18 is the easiest.

• You (9 strokes): You'll get one stroke on each of the handicap holes rated 1 through 9.
• Your Partner (18 strokes): They get one stroke on every single hole (1 through 18).

Let's play Hole #5, which is the 3rd hardest hole on the course (Handicap 3).

• You get a stroke. You shoot a gross score of 5. Your Net Score is 4 (5 - 1 stroke).
• Our partner also gets a stroke. They shoot a gross score of 4. Their Net Score is 3 (4 - 1 stroke).

The team takes the lower *net* score. In this case, your partner's net 3 is the winning score. Your team records a 3 for Hole #5.

On Hole #14, the 12th hardest hole:

• You do not get a stroke (you only get strokes on holes 1-9). You shoot a gross 4. Your Net Score is 4.
• Your partner gets a stroke here. They shoot a gross 5. Their Net Score is 4 (5 - 1 stroke).

In this case, both players have a net 4. The team records a 4 as their Best Ball score. It’s always about the lowest net score on each hole.

Common Variations and Names

You may hear this format called by a few different names, which can be confusing. Let’s clear it up.

Best Ball vs. Four-Ball

Generally, these terms are interchangeable. "Four-Ball" is the official name used by the USGA and R&A, particularly for match play competitions like you see in the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. "Best Ball" is the common name used at the club level, especially for stroke play events a "2-Man Best Ball."

How Is It Different from a Scramble?

This is the most frequent point of confusion. The two formats are very different.

• In a Scramble: All team members tee off. They choose the best tee shot. Everyone then plays their second shot from that *one spot*. They repeat this process until the ball is holed. You only play from the best location.
• In a Best Ball: Every player plays their own ball throughout the hole from where their own shots land. You are only comparing scores at the end of the hole.

Final Thoughts

A 2-Man Best Ball is an awesome format that highlights teamwork and individual play. It's a fantastic day on the course because it gives you the freedom to swing away, knowing your partner is there to back you up, turning every hole into a new opportunity for the team to go low.

Strategy is a huge part of being successful in a Best Ball format. If you often find yourself unsure about the smart play versus the aggressive play, our app can act as a digital coach in your pocket. Caddie AI is designed to give you strategic advice on any shot you face. For instance, if you're the "anchor" for the team, you can describe the hole and get a smart, safe game plan. If you're the "aggressor" facing a tricky approach shot, you can even snap a picture of your lie and we'll help you decide the best way to attack the pin with confidence.