What Is Canadian Foursomes in Golf?

Ever heard of a golf game where both players on a team get to hit a drive on every hole, reducing the pressure of a slice O.B. ruining the hole? That’s Canadian Foursomes in a nutshell. It’s a fantastic team format that combines the best parts of a scramble and traditional alternate shot. This guide will walk you through exactly how to play, the core strategies to help you and your partner win, and why it might just become your new favorite way to play a weekend round.

What Is Canadian Foursomes? A Clear Breakdown

Canadian Foursomes, often called Pinehurst Foursomes or Modified Alternate Shot, is a two-person team game. Its setup is brilliantly simple and designed to keep both players involved while rewarding good teamwork. It removes the stress of having to hit a perfect tee shot, which makes it much more inviting than the traditional, and much tougher, Foursomes format.

Here’s the step-by-step flow of a hole:

1. Both Players Tee Off: You and your partner both hit a drive from the teeing area on every hole.
2. Select the Best Drive: After both tee shots are in play, you walk up and decide together which ball to play for your second shot.
3. Pick Up the Other Ball: The ball that you don't choose is picked up. No penalty.
4. Player B Hits the Second Shot: Here's the important part. The player whose drive was not chosen hits the second shot. So if you hit the better drive, your partner plays shot number two.
5. Alternate Shot to Finish: From that point forward, you play alternate shot until the ball is in the hole. If your partner hit the second shot, you’ll hit the third, they'll hit the fourth, and so on.

That pattern repeats for every hole. It’s an elegant blend that gives each player the freedom to swing away on the tee, but then requires them to play as a disciplined team to get the ball in the cup.

How Canadian Foursomes Differs from Other Team Formats

It’s easy to get team formats mixed up, as many club events use different names for the same games. Understanding the small differences will not only make you sound like you know what you’re talking about but will help you appreciate the unique strategy each one requires.

Canadian Foursomes vs. Standard Foursomes (Alternate Shot)

In standard Foursomes, probably the most challenging team format, partners alternate hitting shots throughout the entire round. One player tees off on all the odd-numbered holes, and the other tees off on all the evens. If you hook your drive into the woods, it’s up to your partner to perform a miracle recovery. The pressure on every single shot, especially off the tee, is immense. Canadian Foursomes relieves that tee-box pressure by giving your team two chances at a good drive.

Canadian Foursomes vs. a Scramble

A Scramble is the most forgiving team format. Just like in Canadian Foursomes, both players tee off. They choose the best drive, but here’s where it changes: both players then hit their second shot from that spot. They again choose the best of the second shots, and both play their third from there. This continues until the ball is holed. This format heavily favors the best shot every time, whereas Canadian Foursomes forces you to deal with the consequences of each other’s shots after the tee ball.

Canadian Foursomes vs. Greensomes (or Scotch Foursomes)

This is where it can get confusing because, in reality, Greensomes is almost identical to Canadian Foursomes. In fact, many people use the names interchangeably. Both formats involve two tee shots, choosing the best one, and having the player whose drive wasn't used play the second shot. For all practical purposes, if someone invites you to play Greensomes or Canadian Foursomes, the rules and strategy are the same.

Game Plan: How to Win at Canadian Foursomes

Playing well in Canadian Foursomes isn't just about hitting good shots - it's about making strong, collaborative decisions. The round is won or lost based on how you and your partner manage the course together. Here's your strategic playbook.

Strategy on the Tee

The goal off the tee is a simple one: get two balls in play. This is not the time to try to hit your career-best drive. A slightly shorter ball in the fairway is infinitely more valuable than a "hero" shot that flirts with the tree line. The huge advantage of this format is having a second chance, so don't have both players hit big, risky shots. A good approach is to have one player hit a safe, high-percentage shot to guarantee a good position, while the other can be a bit more aggressive if they feel confident.

There's often a ton of pressure because both players want to hit a good one to help the team. Remind each other that one good ball is all you need. Relax your arms, make a smooth, balanced swing, and focus on fairways and greens.

The Most Important Decision: Choosing the Drive

Most amateur teams just walk up and automatically choose the longest drive. That’s a beginner mistake. The best drive is the one that gives your team the highest probability of success on the next shot.

Here are the factors to consider:

• Lie: Is the longest drive sitting in the first cut of rough, while the shorter one is sitting up perfectly in the middle of the fairway? A clean lie from 160 yards is almost always better than a flyer lie from the rough at 150 yards.
• Angle to the Green: The 250-yard drive a little right might leave you tree-blocked, while the 235-yard drive on the left side of the fairway gives you a wide-open look at the flag. The angle is more important than an extra 15 yards.
• Who Plays the Next Shot: This is the advanced strategy. Let's say Player A's drive is 180 yards out and Player B's is 170. The shot from 170 yards away will be played by Player A, who happens to have a deadly-accurate 6-iron from that distance. The shot for Player B from 180 yards is a 5-iron, a club they aren't as confident with. Choosing the shorter drive (Player B's) sets a better player up for their favorite shot. Play to your partner’s strengths.

Discuss it openly. "My lie here is perfect and you've got a great angle in from this spot. Are you comfortable with this 7-iron shot?" That little bit of communication builds confidence and leads to better execution.

Playing the Approach and Beyond

Once the tee shots are done, you're now playing traditional alternate shot, a game that requires a defensive mindset. Your primary job is simple: Don't leave your partner in a bad spot. No hero shots from the rough. No firing right at a tucked pin. Aim for the fat of the green, leaving your partner a straightforward putt.

Give your partner information. If you're putting, tell them the line you see and the pace you think is needed. If you're chipping, describe how the ball came off and whether it checked up or ran out more than expected. Good communication makes your partner's next shot so much easier.

Team chemistry is huge here. If your partner leaves you a tough 40-foot putt, a sigh and a slump of the shoulders destroys morale. A supportive "Alright, good effort, I'll just try to get this close" keeps the partnership strong. You'll hit bad shots, it's how you react to them together that counts.

Why You & Your Friends Should Try This Format

Canadian Foursomes should be in every golfer's rotation. It solves many of the problems with other formats:

• It's less pressure-packed: Unlike pure alternate shot, a bad drive doesn’t automatically derail a hole.
• It keeps play moving: It's significantly faster than playing a four-ball or scramble where players are hitting from all over the course. You play one ball from the second shot on.
• It's a genuine test of teamwork: It demands more strategy and communication than a scramble, making a good score feel more rewarding.
• It makes you a smarter golfer: It forces you to think about course management, leaving good angles, and understanding your partner's game. This mentality will improve your individual stroke play as well.

Next time you're setting up a game, suggest Canadian Foursomes. It's a format that’s engaging, strategic, and most importantly, fun for players of all skill levels.

Final Thoughts

In short, Canadian Foursomes is a brilliant team golf format that balances individual freedom off the tee with strategic, disciplined teamwork for the rest of the hole. It encourages smart course management and communication, making it a truly rewarding way to play the game while taking some of the usual pressure off.

Winning in a format like Canadian Foursomes comes down to a series of smart choices under pressure. Whether you're deciding which tee shot to take or what club is right for a difficult approach shot, having a reliable second opinion can make all the difference. When you find yourself in those challenging spots, I created Caddie AI to act as that expert voice, helping you analyze the lie, weigh your options, and make a confident decision so you and your partner can play your best.