What Is a Greensome Competition in Golf?

A Greensome is one of golf's most enjoyable team formats, blending individual skill with partner strategy on every single hole. This guide explains exactly how the format works, from the tee box to holing the final putt, and gives you the strategy you need to play it well with your partner.

What Exactly Is a Greensome in Golf?

Often described as a wonderful mix of a Scramble and Foursomes (Alternate Shot), a Greensome is a two-person team competition. On every hole, both players on the team hit their own tee shots. From there, they decide which of the two drives is in the better position. The player whose drive was not chosen then plays the second shot. From that point forward, the two partners play alternate shots until the ball is in an the hole.

This format is fantastic because it takes some of the pressure off the tee shot. If you hit a bad drive, your partner still has a chance to put a great one in play. It encourages teamwork and a lot of strategic conversation, making it a favorite for club competitions and friendly matches.

Here’s how it differs from other popular formats:

• Compared to a Scramble: In a Scramble, both players tee off, choose the best shot, and then *both* players hit their second shot from that spot. You repeat this process for every shot. In a Greensome, only one person plays the second shot after the best drive is chosen.
• Compared to Foursomes (Alternate Shot): In Foursomes, players alternate hitting every single shot with the same ball from the start of the hole. One player tees off on odd-numbered holes, and the other tees off on even-numbered holes. A Greensome gives both players the chance to drive on every hole.

How to Play Greensomes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding the flow of a Greensome hole is simple once you walk through it once or twice. Let's break it down into easy steps for a team of Player A and Player B.

Step 1: The Tee Shots

Both Player A and Player B hit their drives from the teeing area. There are now two balls in play.

Example: Player A hits their drive down the left side into the first cut of rough. Player B hits their drive down the center of the fairway, but it's 20 yards behind Player A's ball.

Step 2: Choose the Best Drive

The partners walk up and assess their two tee shots. They select which one they want to continue the hole with. The other ball is picked up and taken out of play for that hole.

Example: Although Player A's drive is further, the lie in the rough is tricky, and the angle to the green is poor. Player B's ball is in the middle of the fairway with a perfect line for the approach shot. They decide to play Player B’s ball.

Step 3: Play the Second Shot

This is the important rule that defines the format. The partner whose drive was not used plays the second shot.

Example: Since they chose Player B's drive, Player A must hit the second shot. Player A hits a nice approach shot that lands on the front edge of the green.

Step 4: Play Alternate Shot to Finish the Hole

From the third shot onward, the partners play classic alternate shot until the ball is holed out.

Example: Player A hit the second shot, so now it’s Player B's turn to hit the third shot - the first putt. Player B lags the long putt up to about three feet from the pin. Now it's Player A's turn again. Player A taps in the short putt to complete the hole.

The team writes down their single score for the hole and moves on to the next, where the entire process starts over.

Winning Strategies for a Greensome Competition

Playing well in a Greensome goes beyond just hitting good shots. It's about playing smart and leveraging your partner's strengths. As a coach, this is where I see teams gain a real advantage.

1. Pair Complementary Skillsets

The ideal Greensome pairing isn't necessarily two golfers who play the same way. The best teams often combine different strengths.

• The Bomber and the Fairway-Finder: A common and very effective pairing is a long-hitter with a consistently straight player. The long-hitter can afford to be aggressive, knowing their partner will likely have a safe ball in the fairway to fall back on. This gives you a high-reward, low-risk option on every tee.
• The Solid Ball-Striker and the Putting Guru: If a player consistently gets approach shots onto or near the green, they can lean on a partner who is deadly with the flatstick. Knowing your partner is likely to drain putts from 10 feet and in takes immense pressure off the approach shots.

2. Think Beyond Distance When Choosing the Drive

The longest drive is not always the best drive. When your team walks up to your tee shots, have a thoughtful discussion. Ask these questions:

• What is the lie like? A ball in the fairway is almost always better than a ball in the rough, even if it's 20 yards shorter. A clean lie from the short grass gives your partner the best chance to hit a quality second shot.
• What is the angle to the green? One drive might be blocked by trees, while the other might have a wide-open look at the flag. An extra 15 yards is not worth facing a blocked shot or a forced layup.
• Who is hitting the next shot? This is a powerful strategic element. Say your team is facing a 150-yard approach over water. Who on your team is more confident with that specific shot? You might choose a slightly less advantageous ball position if it means the better iron player gets to hit that particular approach. Let the player whose shot it is make the final call, they are the one who has to execute it.

3. Master the Second Shot Mentality

The second shot in a Greensome is uniquely high-leverage. Your partner has put a good drive in play, and your shot sets the stage for the rest of the hole. The mental approach is everything.

Resist the urge to be a hero. Your job is not to fire at a tucked pin and try to stick it close. Your job is to advance the ball to a position where your partner has, at worst, a straightforward subsequent shot (like a chip or a long putt). Aim for the middle of the green. Hitting the green and setting up a two-putt is a victory every single time.

Handicapping Rule of Thumb in Greensomes

Handicaps in Greensomes can be calculated a few different ways, but the most widely accepted method endorsed by golf’s governing bodies is designed to balance partnerships fairly.

The standard formula is:

(Handicap of the lower-handicap player x 0.6) + (Handicap of the higher-handicap player x 0.4) = Team Handicap

Let's use an example:

• Player A's Handicap Index: 10
• Player B's Handicap Index: 20

The calculation would be:

(10 x 0.6) + (20 x 0.4) = Team Handicap
6 + 8 = 14

So, this team would have a combined playing handicap of 14 for the round. Always be sure to check with your club or tournament organizer, as they may use a slightly different formula, but this 60/40 split is the most prevalent.

Popular Greensome Variations

While the classic Greensome is the most common, you might encounter a few fun twists on the format.

Chapman System (or Pinehurst Foursomes)

This is a an enjoyable format often confused with Greensomes. It starts similarly but has a key difference in the second shot.

1. Both players tee off.
2. For the second shot, Player A hits Player B's ball, and Player B hits Player A's ball.
3. After both have hit their second shots, they assess the two resulting positions.
4. They then choose the single best ball to continue with. The team that hit that chosen ball plays the third an shot, and they play alternate shot from an there to finish the hole.

Canadian Greensomes (or Gruesomes)

This is a particularly devilish format usually played in a four-ball match (Team 1 vs. Team 2). It starts the same - both players on Team 1 hit a drive. The twist? The opposing team (Team 2) gets to choose which of the two drives Team 1 has to play for their second shot. They'll almost certainly choose the worst one, putting a real test on your recovery game.

Final Thoughts

Greensomes offer a brilliant combination of individual performance and collective strategy. It’s a format that rewards good decision-making and communication just as much as good ball-striking, making it a truly engaging way to team up and enjoy a round of golf.

This spirit of making smarter, more confident decisions is exactly why we built Caddie AI. When you're standing over two tee shots trying to decide which to play, you can get instant, data-driven advice on the best strategic option. By describing the hole and each shot's lie and position, we can help you weigh the pros and cons to make the smartest choice for your team, removing the guesswork so you can focus on executing the next shot with confidence.