What Is Alternate Shot in Golf?

Alternate shot, also known as Foursomes, is one of the most intense and rewarding formats you can play, a true test of partnership that goes far beyond simply hitting your own ball. This guide will walk you through exactly what an alternate shot is, how the rules work, and most importantly, the on-course strategy you and your partner need to not just survive, but have a blast playing it.

What Is Alternate Shot, Exactly? The Official Rules

In the simplest terms, alternate shot is a two-person team format where you and your partner play one single golf ball, taking turns hitting it until it’s in the hole.

Here’s the basic flow:

• Two players (Player A and Player B) form a team.
• They use only one ball per hole.
• They decide beforehand which player will tee off on the odd-numbered holes and which will tee off on the even-numbered holes.
• If Player A tees off on hole #1, Player B hits the second shot, Player A hits the third, and so on until the ball is holed.
• On hole #2, Player B tees off, then Player A hits the second shot, and the alternating continues.

This rhythm remains consistent throughout the round. Who tees off on which hole is set at the start and never changes. If you make a 6, it means each player hit three shots. If you make a 3, the tee shot player hits the first and third (putt) shots, while their partner hits the approach.

What About Penalties?

Penalties add a tactical layer to alternate shot. The rule is that the penalty "stroke" itself does not interrupt the order of play. For example:

Let's say Player A tees off on a par 4 and hits the ball out of bounds. The team takes a one-stroke penalty and must now play their third shot from the teeing area. Since Player B was scheduled to hit the second shot, it's Player B's turn to re-tee for the team's third shot. Player A’s bad shot means Player B's next shot is a much more difficult and pressure-filled one from the tee box.

The same logic applies on the course. If Player A hits an approach shot into a water hazard, the team lies to. After taking a penalty drop (making it their third shot), it is then Player B's turn to hit the shot.

Why Alternate Shot is Such a Test (And So Fun)

Alternate shot isn't just about good ball striking, it's about being a good partner. Every single swing you make directly sets up your teammate's next shot - for better or worse. You have to think ahead, play to your partner's strengths, and mentally handle the fact that you only control 50% of the shots.

You can hit the best drive of your life, but it doesn't matter if your partner flubs the approach shot. Conversely, leaving your partner with a nasty lie in the bunker can lead to some sideways glances and a lot of tension. This is why you see it used in high-pressure professional events like the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. It exposes the true strength and resilience of a partnership.

But that raw, connected experience is exactly what makes it so exciting. When you and your partner sync up, it feels like you're a single, unstoppable golfing force. Pulling off a great hole in alternate shot feels more rewarding than a great hole played on your own ball, because you achieved it together.

Nailing the Pre-Round Plan: How to Pick a Partner

Choosing the right partner for an alternate shot is the first and most important strategic move. Simply picking the player with the lower handicap isn't always the best play. You're looking for compatibility over pure individual skill.

1. Complementary Skill Sets

Think about putting two puzzle pieces together. The best pairings often feature players whose games mesh well. The classic formula is pairing a great driver of the golf ball with a phenomenal iron and wedge player. The driver's lone job is to find the fairway, setting up the "scrambler" to attack the pin or save par. Similarly, pairing an excellent putter with someone who struggles a bit on the green can be a calming influence for both players on and around the putting surface.

2. Consistent vs. Powerful

In alternate shot, reliability often beats raw power. A partner who consistently finds the fairway, even if they give up 20 yards to a long-ball hitter, is often more valuable. A "bomber" who finds trouble off the tee might be leaving you to hit heroic recovery shots all day. That gets exhausting quickly. Prioritize a partner who keeps the ball in play and avoids blow-up holes.

3. The Right Mentality

This might be the most overlooked element. Your partner's on-course personality is huge. Are they someone who gets rattled easily after a bad shot (yours or theirs), or are they someone who can shake it off and focus on the next one? You need a partner who is supportive, forgiving, and understands that golf is a hard game. An ideal alternate shot partner is quick to say "don't worry about it" and slow to show any frustration.

Winning Alternate Shot Strategy: On-Course Decision Making

Once you've got your partner, the real work begins. Your strategy should blend course analytics with a deep understanding of each other's games.

Step 1: Strategically Assign the Tee Shots

Before you step on the first tee, analyze the scorecard together. Your most important pre-round decision is who tees off on the odd holes and who takes the evens.

• Identify Key Holes: Are there more dogleg-lefts or dogleg-rights? If one player has a reliable fade and the other a draw, assign them to the set of nine holes that suits their go-to shot shape.
• Play to Driving Strengths: Look at the tough driving holes. If the most demanding tee shots are on holes 3, 7, 11, and 15, you want your most reliable driver teeing off on the odd numbers. A shorter, even tougher par-3 may indicate who will have to 'carry the load' there.
• Factor in Approach Shots: Remember, the player who tees off on a par-4 or par-5 is also the one likely putting. The player hitting the second shot is hitting the crucial approach. If you have an elite iron player, you might assign them to the even holes so they are hitting the majority of the approach shots into par-4s starting on hole #1 etc.

Step 2: "Play for Your Partner," Not for Yourself

This is the golden rule of alternate shot. You're constantly trying to leave your partner a shot they love to hit. Your goal is not to hit the perfect golf shot, your goal is to set your partner up for success on the *next* golf shot.

Here’s a practical example on a par 5:

You’ve hit a good drive, and now you have 260 yards to the green. The "hero" in you might want to pull out the 3-wood and go for the green in two. But, your partner is incredible with a full sand wedge from 85 yards. A smart alternate shot player lays up. You take whatever club gets you to a comfortable 85-yard spot in the fairway, even if it feels "boring." You're trusting your partner to do their job, allowing them to play from their comfort zone.

Always think one shot ahead. Ask your partner, "What's your favorite yardage?" and try to give it to them whenever possible.

Step 3: Talk About Everything

Silent partners rarely win in alternate shot. Over-communicate on every shot.

• Club Selection: Don't just pull a club. Talk through the options. "The pin is 150 yards, I feel like it's a perfect 8-iron, what do you think?"
• Shot Shape and Target: Get specific. "I'm going to aim at the right edge of the green and let my natural draw bring it back toward the pin. Is that good, or would you rather I play it safe to the center?"
• Putting Reads: You should both read every putt. One partner might see something the other misses. Having two sets of eyes confirming the line builds confidence before the stroke.

Step 4: Adopt an "Apology-Free" Policy

Before the round, make a pact. No apologies. Ever. A bad shot is part of golf. Hearing "I'm so sorry, man" after you've been left in a tough spot only adds pressure and negative energy. It forces the other player to say "it's okay," creating a weird dynamic. Instead, replace the apology with forward-looking encouragement. Replace "I'm sorry" with "Alright, let's see what you've got here. We can save this." Keeping the energy positive and focused on the solution, not the problem, is what separates a good team from a frustrated one.

Final Thoughts.

Alternate shot strips golf down to its core elements: strategy, trust, and teamwork. It will test your patience and your bond as partners, but that’s the beauty of it. Focus on setting each other up for success and keeping a positive attitude, and you’ll find it’s one of the most fulfilling ways to play the game.

That kind of strategic teamwork is where we focused when designing our on-course tools. For example, when you and your partner are standing on a difficult hole debating the best play, a tool like Caddie AI acts as an impartial third opinion. You can describe the hole or even take a photo of a tricky lie your partner left you, and we’ll give you instant, straightforward advice on the smartest way to play the shot. It helps remove the emotion from tough decisions and gets both of you committed to a clear plan.