What Is Four-Ball Stroke Play in Golf?

Ever watched the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup and heard the announcers talk about Four-Ball and found yourself a little lost? You're not alone. It's one of the most exciting and strategic formats in golf, but its name can be a bit confusing. This guide will break down exactly what Four-Ball is, how it’s played and scored, and most importantly, how you and a partner can use smart strategy to win your next event.

Decoding Four-Ball Stroke Play: What Is It?

At its heart, Four-Ball is a team game played by two partners, but with a fantastic twist: each player gets to play their own ball from tee to green on every single hole. You and your partner are a team, but you are also playing as individuals in a way.

After each player on the team has completed the hole, you compare your scores. The lower of the two scores becomes your team's official score for that hole. That’s it. So, if you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, the team score is a 4. If you stumble and make a 7 but your partner saves the day with a par 4, the team score is a 4.

This format is often called "Better Ball" or "Best Ball," and for good reason - you're literally taking the best ball between the two of you on each hole. The "Four-Ball" name comes from the fact that a group of four golfers (two teams of two) are all playing their own golf balls.

A Quick Note on “Stroke Play” vs. “Match Play”

While Four-Ball is famous in match play events like the Ryder Cup (where one team competes hole-by-hole against one other team), it's also a very popular Stroke Play format in club events and charity tournaments. In Four-Ball Stroke Play, your team is competing against the entire field. Your goal is to post the lowest possible 18-hole total team score. This guide will focus on the stroke play version, as it’s what most amateur golfers will encounter.

How to Score Four-Ball: A Simple Walkthrough

Scoring in Four-Ball is straightforward once you see it in action. Let’s imagine you (Player A) and your partner (Player B) are playing the first three holes of a tournament.

Here’s what your team’s scorecard might look like:

• Hole 1 (Par 4): You play great and make a birdie 3. Your partner makes a bogey 5. Your team writes down a 3 on the scorecard.
• Hole 2 (Par 5): You push your drive into the trees and end up with a double-bogey 7. Your partner hits a solid drive, finds the green in three shots, and two-putts for a par 5. Your team happily writes down a 5.
• Hole 3 (Par 3): A tough hole. You both hit the green but three-putt for matching bogeys. You both made a 4. The better ball is still a 4, so the team score is a 4.

Your team’s total for the first three holes is 3 + 5 + 4 = 12.

One of the best apects of this format is a real sense of freedom. When your partner is safely in the hole, it frees you up. If you're out of the hole and can't beat your partner's score, it's generally good etiquette in a casual round to just pick up your ball. This speeds up play and lets you reset for the next hole without grinding over a pointless triple bogey.

What About Handicaps?

For most handicapped Four-Ball events, you won't use your full course handicap. A standard allowance is 85% or 90% of each player's course handicap. You then use these adjusted handicaps to determine your team's net better ball score on each hole.

For example, if you get a stroke on a hole and make a gross 5, your net score is a 4. If your partner doesn't get a stroke and makes a gross 4, your team’s score for the hole is a 4. The low net score is what counts.

The Art of Four-Ball Strategy: How to Win

Succeeding in Four-Ball isn’t just about making birdies, it's about smart teamwork, communication, and playing the odds. You can't control your swing on any given day, but you can absolutely control your team's strategy. Here’s how to give your team an edge.

1. Designate a "First Hitter" and a "Closer"

The core of Four-Ball strategy revolves around giving one player the freedom to play aggressively. This is often dictated by the order of play. A simple and effective strategy is:

• The Leadoff Player (The Rock): The first person to hit an approach shot or a tee shot on a tricky hole should have one goal: play it safe. Their job is to find the fairway or hit the middle of the green. Putting the first ball in a solid, trouble-free position takes all the pressure off their partner.
• The Closer (The Aggressor): Once the first player is safely "in," the second player is free to take a more aggressive line. They can now fire at a tough pin, try to cut a dogleg, or attempt a heroic shot because they know there's a backup score already locked in.

This dynamic prevents your team from making two bad scores on the same hole, which is the kiss of death in Four-Ball.

2. Communication is Your Superpower

The best Four-Ball teams are constantly talking. Before you even step onto the tee box, formulate a quick plan.

• On the Tee: "This is a tight fairway. I'll take a 3-wood and just get one in play, then you can hit your driver and go for it."
• On the Approach: "The pin is tucked right behind that bunker. I'm going to aim for the center of the green to make sure we've got one on. If I knock it close, great. If not, you can be more aggressive."
• On the Green: The player putting second has a huge advantage. The first putter should communicate everything about their putt's break and speed. "It was faster than it looked and it didn't break as much as I thought." This kind of feedback is gold for the partner, who can adjust their read accordingly.

3. Master the Mental Game of Teamwork

Four-Ball is as much a mental test as it is a physical one. Keeping your team’s spirits high is a legitimate a competitive advantage.

Never apologize for a bad hole. Your job is to support your partner. When they hit a poor shot, the best thing you can say is, "Don't worry about it, I've got your back. I'll put one in play." This boosts their confidence and allows them to forget the mistake and focus on helping you on the next hole.

Remember, no one can play perfectly for 18 holes. You will have bad stretches, and so will your partner. The beauty of this format is that you don't have to. You rely on each other to pick up the slack, and a positive, supportive attitude makes that possible.

4. Know When and When NOT to Be a Hero

Sometimes the smartest play is picking up your ball. Let’s say your partner has a 10-foot putt for birdie. You’re 30 feet away, through the fringe, with a very difficult chip for par.

What’s the best play? Let your partner putt first. If they make the birdie, your par attempt is meaningless. You can pick up and move on. This not only speeds up play but conserves your mental energy.

The goal is the best team score. If your partner is already safe for a par and you’re staring down a double bogey, don’t grind it out. Concede the score to your partner and focus your energy on the next hole, where you might be the one making the birdie.

Final Thoughts

Four-Ball Stroke Play bridges the gap between the pressure of individual golf and the fun of a team game. It allows each player to contribute their best while relying on a partner to have their back, creating a relaxed yet competitive environment that rewards both skill and smart strategy.

Mastering Four-Ball strategy often comes down to making calculated decisions as a team on the course. For those times you're debating club selection or the right strategy to attack a hole, getting an expert opinion can settle the argument. That’s precisely why we built Caddie AI. Our app can analyze your lie from a simple photo or give you a smart tee-to-green plan for any hole, which is perfect for helping you and your partner choose the highest-percentage play and execute your shots with more confidence.