Foursomes golf, often called alternate shot, is a dynamic team format that tests everything about your game: your skill, your strategy, and most importantly, your partnership. This guide will walk you through exactly how foursomes work, provide actionable strategies for you and your partner, and help you get ready to take on one of golf's most rewarding challenges.
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What Exactly is Foursomes Golf? Unpacking the Rules
At its heart, foursomes is deceptively simple. Two golfers form a team and play one ball per hole, taking turns hitting shots until the ball is holed out. Player A hits the tee shot, Player B hits the second shot, Player A hits the third, and so on. The score for the hole is the team’s collective score.
The twist comes before the round even begins. Your team must decide which player will tee off on the odd-numbered holes (1, 3, 5, etc.) and which will tee off on the even-numbered holes (2, 4, 6, etc.). This decision is permanent for the entire round and is a huge part of the foursomes strategy.
Here are the core mechanics you need to know:
One Ball in Play: Your team shares one golf ball. You hit it, your partner hits it next, and you continue alternating until it's in the cup.
The Tee-Off Decision: Before teeing off on hole #1, you declare who hits the tee shots on odd holes and who hits them on even holes.
Player Order Remains Constant: The A-B-A-B... order of shots continues no matter what. If Player A sinks a 40-foot putt to finish hole #3, Player B is the one teeing off on hole #4. The person who holes out *never* hits the next tee shot (unless they were scheduled to due to the odd/even hole designation).
Penalties: The alternating format applies to penalty strokes, too. If Player A hits the tee shot out of bounds, your team takes a one-stroke penalty. Player B then hits the third shot from the teeing area. The alternate-shot order must be maintained.
The Two Flavors of Foursomes: Match Play vs. Stroke Play
Foursomes can be played in two primary formats, and the one you play radically changes the strategy.
1. Foursomes Match Play
This is the classic format you see in prestigious events like the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup. In match play, your team competes against another team of two on a hole-by-hole basis. The team with the lower score on a given hole wins that hole. The goal isn't the lowest total score for the round, but to win more holes than your opponents. If your team makes a 4 and they make a 5, you go "1 up." If you both make 4s, the hole is "halved" or "pushed," and the overall score remains the same. Once you have a disaster on a hole, you can concede it and move on, which helps keep the pace of play moving.
2. Foursomes Stroke Play
Also known as "medal play," this format is played against the entire field. Here, your team's total score for the round is what matters. Every single stroke counts. This format is a true grind because one bad hole - a double or triple bogey - can take you out of contention entirely. There are no concessions. You must hole out on every hole, which adds a significant layer of pressure.
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Playing good foursomes isn't just about good golf, it's about good teamwork and a sound game plan. Succeeding in alternate shot requires you to think differently than you do in your regular individual game.
Step 1: Choose Your Partner Wisely
The most important decision you'll make is picking your partner. You want a partner whose game complements yours, but even more importantly, whose personality is compatible with yours. Foursomes can be mentally tough. A bad shot not only hurts you, but it also puts your partner in a tough spot. You need someone who is supportive and resilient.
Look for a partner who communicates well and remains positive. A player who gets easily frustrated or is quick to place blame is a poor choice for a foursomes partner, no matter how skilled they are. You're going to hit bad shots - it’s inevitable. The best partners are the ones who can shrug off a mistake (theirs or yours) and focus completely on the next shot.
Step 2: The Critical Tee Box Decision
Once you have your partner, you need to decide who will tee off on the odd holes and who will tee off on the even holes. Don't make this decision lightly by flipping a coin. Get out the scorecard and analyze the course.
Here’s a checklist to help you decide:
Analyze the Par 3s: Identify which holes are par 3s. If most of them are odd-numbered holes, your team’s best iron player should probably take the odd tees. This puts the club in their hands for those critical tee shots.
Look at the "Money" Par 4s: Are there any very difficult driving holes? Long par 4s with tight fairways? Put your most consistent, reliable driver on those holes. If the toughest driving holes are 3, 7, 12, and 16, it might be clear who should take each side.
Consider the Par 5s: Think about the second shot on the par 5s. Is it a long carry over trouble? Does it require a precise layup? You want your best long-iron or hybrid player hitting those approach shots, which means the other player should tee off.
Player Strengths and Comfort: Think beyond pure skill. Does one player prefer hitting driver and the other feel more comfortable with approach shots? Leaning into those preferences can build confidence for the entire team.
Step 3: Adopt the "Play for Your Partner" Mentality
The golden rule of foursomes is this: Your primary job is to leave your partner in a good position. This is not the format for hero shots. Hitting the ball into the fat part of the fairway is almost always better than trying to cut a corner and bringing trouble into play. Aiming for the center of the green is smarter than firing at a tucked pin.
Your mantra should be "boring golf." A string of simple pars in foursomes is incredibly difficult to beat. Every time you step up to a ball, your first thought should be, "What shot gives my partner the best and easiest next shot?" This means avoiding awkward yardages, staying away from short-siding them on approach shots, and doing everything you can to keep the ball in play.
Step 4: Master the Art of Communication
Talk about everything. Foursomes is a constant conversation. Before a shot, consult with your partner:
"This is 155 yards. I'm feeling a smooth 8-iron. How does that feel to you?"
"The wind is helping more than it looks. I think the 9-iron is the club."
"If I’m going to miss this, the safe miss is short and left."
This dialogue ensures you're both committed to the same shot and strategy. It eliminates doubt and helps the hitting player execute with confidence. It also keeps you both engaged in every single moment of the round.
Step 5: The "One Apology" Rule for Bad Shots
Bad shots will happen. It's how your team responds that makes all the difference. Establish a rule I call the "One Apology" rule.
When you hit a dreadful shot - say, you pull your drive into the trees - you are allowed to say, "My bad," or "Sorry," just once. That's it. It’s a quick-hitter apology.
In response, your partner's only job is to be positive and forward-looking. Their response should be something like, "No problem," or "Don't worry about it, let's go find it. I've got this."
The apologized-for gets one brief apology. The forgiver gives one brief piece of encouragement. Then the conversation is over. Anything more - lingering blame, over-the-top apologies, or showing frustration - is poison to a foursomes team. Move on. The only thing that matters is the next shot.
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Foursomes is one of golf's purest and most engaging formats, fostering a unique blend of strategy, trust, and communication. It forces you to play smart, control your ball, and, most of all, work as a cohesive unit. Whether in a competitive tournament or a casual weekend round with a friend, mastering alternate shot will make you a more well-rounded and mentally tough golfer.
We know that some of the toughest moments in foursomes come down to making a smart decision when you and your partner are under pressure. With so much on the line, removing the guesswork is everything. That’s why we built Caddie AI. It can act as that objective third voice, giving you a smart, data-driven recommendation for club selection or strategy when you're between clubs. When you’re faced with a tough lie, you can even get instant advice on how to play the shot, giving your partner the confidence to step up and execute.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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