What Is 4-Ball Best Ball in Golf?

Four-Ball Best Ball is one of the most popular and social formats in golf, turning an individual sport into a dynamic team game you can enjoy with a friend. This guide will walk you through exactly how the format works, covering the scoring, some winning strategies, and common mistakes to avoid so you can feel confidentteeing it up in your next event.

So, What Exactly Is 4-Ball Best Ball?

In the simplest terms, 4-Ball is a golf format played by a team of two partners. Each player on the team plays their own golf ball from the tee to the hole. After the hole is completed, you and your partner compare scores, and the lower of the two scores becomes the team’s official score for that hole. That's it! If you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, your team score is a 4.

The name can be a little confusing, but it’s easy to remember when you break it down:

• "Four-Ball": This refers to the fact that in a standard group (foursome), there are two teams of two, and therefore, four golf balls are in play on every hole.
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• "Best Ball" (or "Better Ball"): This simply means you’re taking your team's best score on each hole. Some clubs call it "Better Ball," but the meaning is exactly the same.

How is 4-Ball Different from a Scramble?

This is probably the most common point of confusion for golfers new to different formats. The distinction is quite important:

• In a Scramble, the four players on a team all tee off, choose the best shot, and then all four players hit their next shot from that spot. You repeat this process until the ball is in the hole. You are collectively playing one team ball.
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• In 4-Ball, you play your own ball for the entire hole. There is no choosing the "best shot" and dropping there. From tee to green, you are responsible for your own ball. It’s fundamentally still individuals playing golf, but with your scores combined strategically ateam score.

This makes 4-Ball a wonderful format because it allows you to play your own game while still having the backup and support of a partner.

How to Play: A Hole-by-Hole Breakdown

Let's walk through a typical hole to see how it flows. Imagine you and your partner, Alex, are a team.

1. On the Tee Box

You and Alex both tee off. You hit your drive into the fairway, but Alex pulls his into the left rough. There's no decision to make - you simply walk to your own balls.

2. Playing the Hole

You play your second shot from the fairway. Alex finds his ball in the rough and plays his second shot from there. You both continue to play your own ball until you've holed out.

3. On the Green

Your approach shot lands 15 feet from the hole, while Alex’s is 30 feet away. You both putt out. Let’s say you make your putt for a birdie 3! After you make the 3, Alex can pick up his ball. Since he can't possibly beat your score of 3, there's no need for him to finish the hole. This helps with the pace of play.

4. Posting the Team Score

You made a 3 and Alex picked up (which, for scoring, might equate to a 6 if the hole was fully played out). The lower of the two scores is your 3. You write "3" on the scorecard as the team score for that hole and move to the next tee.

What About Handicaps?

Handicaps make the game fair and are almost always used in 4-Ball events. The calculation differs slightly depending on whether you're playing Match Play or Stroke Play.

In Stroke Play 4-Ball:

The standard guideline is that each partner receives 85% of their Course Handicap. You then apply those strokes to get a net score on each applicable hole. The lower net score between you and your partner becomes the team score.

• Example: Let's say your Course Handicap is 10. Your partner’s is 20.
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• You receive 85% of 10, which rounds to 9 strokes (10 * 0.85 = 8.5).
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• Your partner receives 85% of 20, which is 17 strokes (20 * 0.85 = 17).
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• On a par-4 that is the #1 handicap hole, you get one stroke, so your net par is a 3. Your partner also gets one stroke, for a net par of 3. If you both make a 4 on the hole, your team's score is a net 3.
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• On the #12 handicap hole, you get no stroke, but your partner does (since their 17 handicap is higher than 12). If you both make a bogey 5, your score is a 5, but your partner’s net score is a 4. The team score is 4.

You’re always comparing the net scores to determine the winner for the hole.

In Match Play 4-Ball:

The standard is for players to receive 90% of their Course Handicap. In match play, the lowest-handicap player in the foursome plays off scratch (0). The other three players receive strokes based on the difference between their adjusted handicap and the scratch player’s handicap.

The rest works similarly: The team with the lower net score on a hole wins that hole. The team that wins the most holes wins the match.

Winning 4-Ball Tactic and Strategy

4-Ball is more than just playing golf alongside a friend, it’s a game of strategy where partnership and communication can make a huge difference. Here are some tactics to give your team an edge.

The "One-Safe, One-Aggressive" Plan

This is the classic and most effective 4-Ball strategy. The goal is for one player on the team to always secure a "safe" score, typically a par. The first player to hit their shot should often aim for this role. For example:

• On a Par 4: Player 1 aims for the center of the fairway, then the center of the green. Their entire focus is on avoiding trouble and making a routine par.
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• The Aggressive Player: Once Player 1’s ball is safely in the fairway, this frees up Player 2. Knowing a par is likely already in play, Player 2 can be more aggressive. They can take a more direct line over a bunker, try to cut a dogleg, or fire at a tucked pin.

If Player 1 hits a poor shot, the roles automatically switch. Player 2 now plays the "safe" shot to get the team back in the hole, and Player 1 takes the more aggressive recovery if it’s possible.This dynamic frees you from the pressure of always having to be perfect.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

A silent partner is a weak partner in 4-Ball. Constant communication helps you make smarter decisions as a team.

• Discuss Club Choice: "The wind feels like it’s helping a bit, I’m going with a 9-iron." This information gives your partner another data point for their own club selection.
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• Share Putting Lines: In 4-Ball, the player further from the hole usually putts first. Use this to your advantage. If your partner has a similar putt to you, pay close attention to the break and speed. After their putt, they can tell you, "It was a bit faster than I thought," or "It didn't break as much as it looked."
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• Decide Who Tees Off First: Some players feel more comfortable being the "safe" player off the tee. Others thrive on being second. Figure out your preference and stick with it if it's working.

Know and Embrace Your Roles

Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses as a team. Does your partner consistently hit long, straight drives? Then your job might be simply to find the fairway so they can bomb away. Are you a fantastic iron player? Let your partner know that if they can just get it in play, you feel confident you can hit the green.

Playing to your strengths builds confidence and allows you both to relax and swing freely, knowing your partner has your back.

Never Give Up on a Hole

One of the quiet beauties of 4-Ball is that your seemingly "bad" score can still win a hole. Let's say you hit your drive out of bounds and are lying 3 just off the tee. It’s easy to get frustrated and check out. Don’t.

Your job isn’t over. Focus on making the best score you can, even if it's a double-bogey. You never know if your opponents or even your own partner will get into worse trouble. Many holes in 4-Ball are won with a simple bogey. Stay in it until you’re absolutely certain your score can’t count.

Final Thoughts

Four-Ball Best Ball brings a smart, strategic, and highly social layer to a game we all love. It's about playing your own ball while actively supporting a teammate, deciding when to take risks, and communicating to get the most out of your combined potential. By understanding the rules and applying a little bit of team strategy, you can turn a good day into a great - and winning - one.

Developing that on-course strategy - when to play safe, what club to hit in an awkward situation, or how to play a tricky hole - is what elevates your game. It’s why we designed an AI tool that gives you that expert advice, right when you need it. When you're standing on the tee and you and your partner are debating the best play, I can give you a smart hole strategy in seconds. And if you're ever in doubt about a tough shot from the rough, I can even analyze a photo of your lie and recommend the best way to play it, helping your team avoid those big numbers. Get an expert second opinion in your pocket with Caddie AI.