Mixed Greensomes is one of the most entertaining and sociable formats you can play, blending a little bit of individual skill with a whole lot of teamwork. This guide will walk you through exactly how to play it, the strategy involved, and how to make the most of your round. We'll cover everything from the basic rules and handicap calculations to practical tips that will help your team play smarter and have more fun.
At its heart, Mixed Greensomes is a golf format for a two-person team, typically composed of one male and one female player. It's a variation of Foursomes (also known as alternate shot), but with a much more forgiving start to each hole. If you've ever felt the pressure of hitting a tee shot in Foursomes, knowing your partner is relying entirely on that one swing, you'll love the twist in Greensomes.
Here’s the simple, step-by-step breakdown of how you play a hole:
Let's imagine you're playing with a partner named Alex.
This rhythm continues for the entire round. Both tee off, choose the best drive, and the alternate player hits the next shot. This structure makes it a fantastic format because it tests your teamwork, communication, and strategy, not just your raw golfing ability.
Golf has a lot of team formats, so let's quickly clear up how Greensomes differs from a few others you might see on a tournament sign-up sheet:
Once you’ve got the rules down, the next big question is usually about the handicap. Calculating your team's handicap isn't as simple as just adding your two handicaps together, but it’s a straightforward formula designed to make the game fair.
The generally accepted method recommended by golf's governing bodies like the USGA and The R&A is as follows:
(Handicap of the lower-handicap player x 0.6) + (Handicap of the higher-handicap player x 0.4) = Team Handicap
Let’s walk through an example. Sarah has a Course Handicap of 12, and her partner, Tom, has a Course Handicap of 20.
The team's playing handicap would be 15 (typically rounded to the nearest whole number). This means they will receive 15 strokes during the round, applied to the appropriate stroke index holes on the scorecard.
A quick word of advice: While this is the most common formula, some golf clubs or societies might use a slight variation (like 50% of the combined total, or a different percentage split). It's always a good idea to double-check with the event organizer to confirm the exact calculation they're using for the day.
Mixed Greensomes is as much a game of strategy and partnership as it is of ball-striking. Making smart choices together is often what separates the winning teams from the rest of the pack. Here’s how to think your way around the course like a pro team.
The most common mistake teams make is automatically picking the longest drive. The longest tee shot is not always the best tee shot. Your decision-making process here is fundamental to scoring well.
After the drive is selected, the primary goal for the player hitting the second shot is surprisingly simple: get the ball on the green. Don't try to be a hero.
Think about it this way: your responsibility is to give your partner a putt on the next shot - any putt. A 40-foot putt is infinitely better than a tricky chip from thick rough or a nasty downhill bunker shot. Aiming for the center of the green is one of the smartest plays in golf, and it's doubly true in Greensomes.
If you play the safe shot and get it on the green, you’ve done your job perfectly. You've eliminated the risk of a big number and given your team a chance, albeit a small one, at birdie, and an excellent chance at par. Playing conservatively on the "in-between" shots is a hallmark of good Greensomes teams.
Once you’re on the green, communication becomes everything. Talk about the line and the pace. The person whose turn it is to putt has the final say, of course, but the other partner can offer a valuable second opinion from a different angle.
A great little tip is for the partner who is not putting to take control of the flagstick. This keeps the pace of play moving and demonstrates good teamwork. On tap-ins, always communicate clearly. "Do you want me to finish this?" Make sure you have a system down so you don't accidentally putt out of turn, which is a penalty.
Mixed Greensomes is designed to be a fun, social event. Great etiquette and a good pace of play make it even better for everyone.
Mixed Greensomes is a standout format that promotes communication, strategy, and teamwork on the golf course. By understanding the rules, calculating the handicap correctly, and making smart, team-oriented decisions - like choosing the drive that gives your partner the best next shot - you can turn a good round into a great one. The key is to play for each other and, most importantly, have fun.
Making smart team decisions on the course, like deciding on a strategy before teeing off or selecting the best approach shot to leave your partner an easy putt, is a big part of playing good Greensomes golf. For moments when you and your partner need a second opinion, our app, Caddie AI, acts as your on-demand course strategist. By describing the hole or even showing a photo of a tricky lie, we can provide you with a clear plan, helping you make smarter, more confident choices together. The entire goal is to eliminate uncertainty, so you can stop debating and start focusing on hitting great shots as a team.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
