What Is a Scotch Ball in Golf?

A Scotch Ball, at its heart, is a golf format that forces you and a partner to rely on each other for every single shot. It’s a two-person team game also known as Foursomes or Alternate Shot, where you share one ball, taking turns hitting shots until the ball is in the hole. This article will walk you through the simple rules of Scotch Ball, explore popular variations, offer practical strategies to help your team win, and explain why it’s one of the best formats you can play.

What Exactly Is a Scotch Ball (or Foursomes)?

Imagine this: you hit a great drive right down the middle of the fairway. In a normal game, you’d walk up to your ball feeling confident and ready to hit your approach. In a Scotch Ball match, you don’t touch that next shot. Your partner does. Your job on the tee shot was simply to put your partner in the best possible position for their shot. Now, it's their turn to do the same for you.

That is the essence of this format. Two golfers play as a team, using only one ball per hole. They alternate hitting shots from the tee until the hole is completed. If you teed off on hole #1, your partner hits the second shot, you hit the third, they hit the fourth, and so on. On hole #2, your partner would tee off, and the alternation continues. It’s a fun, fast-paced, and intensely strategic way to play the game that tests teamwork and course management above all else.

The beauty of Scotch Ball lies in its simplicity and the camaraderie it builds. It's not just about how well you hit the ball, it’s about how well you manage the course as a team. Every shot directly impacts your partner’s next move, making communication and smart decision-making fundamental to success.

The Simple Rules of Scotch Ball

Unlike some complicated golf formats, the rules for a classic Scotch Ball match are straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how a typical game works:

1. Form Teams: The game is played with teams of two. You can have multiple teams competing against each other in a group of four (Team A vs. Team B) or as part of a larger tournament.
2. Decide the Tee-Off Order: Before the round begins, your team must decide which player will tee off on the odd-numbered holes (1, 3, 5, etc.) and which player will tee off on the even-numbered holes (2, 4, 6, etc.). This decision is final for the whole round, so think it through!
3. Playing the Hole: Let's say Player A is assigned the odd holes. On Hole #1, Player A hits the tee shot. The team then finds their ball, and Player B hits the second shot. Player A hits the third, and this alternating pattern continues until the ball is holed out.
4. Moving to the Next Hole: On Hole #2, it’s Player B’s turn to tee off, regardless of who made the final putt on the previous hole. Player A then hirs the second shot, and so on. The order fixed at the start (Player A on odd, Player B on even) dictates every tee shot.
5. Scoring: Your team records one score per hole, just like you would in a regular stroke play game. Games can be scored as match play (where you win, lose, or tie each hole) or stroke play (total score for the round). Penalty strokes do not alter the playing order. If your partner hits a ball out of bounds, you'll still be the one to hit the next shot from the designated spot, after taking the penalty.

That's it. Simple, right? The challenge isn't in understanding the rules, but in executing a seamless game plan with your partner.

Common & Fun Variations of Scotch Ball

While the classic format is fantastic, sometimes you want to mix things up. Golfers have developed several variations over the years, each adding a unique twist. Here are a couple of the most popular ones.

Scotch Foursomes (Also Known as Greensomes or Canadian Foursomes)

This is probably the most-played variation and a great way to ease into team golf if you’re nervous about leaving your partner with a bad tee shot. Here’s how it works:

• Both players on the team tee off. Yes, both players hit a drive on every hole.
• After the tee shots, you and your partner walk down the fairway, look at where both balls ended up, and choose the best one.
• You pick up the other ball and then play alternate shot from the spot of the best drive.
• The player whose drive was not selected plays the second shot. The game then proceeds like a standard Scotch Ball from that point on.

Greensomes relieves a lot of the pressure on the tee. It allows both players to make a contribution from the start and almost always guarantees your team is playing the second shot from a good position.

Chapman System (or "Pinehurst")

This format is another forgiving and popular option that can be called a handful of different names, most commonly Chapman or Pinehurst System. It was a favorite of Ben Hogan, and it’s a brilliant game for pairs of all skill levels.

• Both players tee off.
• Then, you switch balls. Player A walks over and hits Player B’s drive for the second shot. Player B walks over and hits Player A's drive.
• After both second shots are played, you assess the two positions. You now choose the one best ball to play for the remainder of the hole.
• From here, you play alternate shot. The player whose second shot was not chosen gets to hit the third shot.

The Chapman System is great because it allows every player to hit two shots before any ball is taken out of play. It’s fun, strategic, and keeps everyone more involved throughout the start of each hole.

How to Win: A Coach's Guide to Scotch Ball Strategy

Playing Scotch Ball is fun, but let's be honest, winning is more fun. As a coach, I love this format because it exposes weaknesses but also highlights a player's ability to think strategically. Here are some pointers to give your team an edge.

1. Choose Your Partner and Tee Order Wisely

Don't just pick your best friend. Think complimentary skill sets. The ideal pairing is often a long, powerful driver with a precise iron player who has a great short game. Your bomber can handle the long Par 4s and Par 5s, putting the ball in a position where your iron specialist just has to hit a green.

Once you have a partner, look at the scorecard. Which holes have forced carries off the tee? Which are tight and demand accuracy? Which Par 3s are reachable? Assign your tee-off holes accordingly. If the course starts with several difficult driving holes, you want your most consistent driver hitting those tee shots. If your "even" holes include most of the long Par 5s, put your biggest hitter on them.

2. The Golden Rule: Leave Your Partner in a Good Spot

This is the most important strategic element of Scotch Ball. Your priority on every shot is to make your partner’s next shot as easy as possible. This sometimes means shelving your ego and playing the smart shot, not the amaxing one.

Found yourself in the trees? Don’t try to be a hero and thread the needle to the green. The risk of leaving your partner with an even worse shot is too high. A simple punch-out back to the fairway is often the winning play. Hitting an approach shot? Don’t short-side yourself. Aim for the middle of the green to give your partner a straightforward two-putt instead of a nightmare chip over a bunker.

3. Constant Communication is Everything

You and your partner need to be in constant dialogue. Before your partner hits their approach shot, you should ask, "Where's the best place to leave me for a putt?" Do they prefer an uphill putt? Do they want it a specific distance from the hole? Before you tee off, tell them your intended shot shape so they know what to expect.

This extends to club selection. If your partner is hitting an approach shot and you’re confident they have the right club, say so. Positive reinforcement goes a long way. If you have a different idea, suggest it gently. "I think that might be a bit too much club with the wind. Have you considered the 8-iron?" It’s a team decision.

When Should You Play Scotch Ball?

Beyond being used in professional competitions like the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, Scotch Ball is a perfect format for casual rounds. Here are a few great reasons to try it:

• Pace of Play: Since there’s only one ball in play per team, rounds are significantly faster. Groups of four can finish in well under four hours.
• For Mixed Skill Levels: It's an excellent way for golfers of different abilities to play together. The stronger player's shots can give the weaker player confidence, while the weaker player can contribute by hitting smart, safe shots to set up their partner.
• To Improve Course Management: It a powerful learning tool. It forces you to think about the hole in a completely different way - "How can I help my partner?" - which will improve your strategic thinking even when you're playing your own ball.
• Just for Fun: Ultimately, it's a social and engaging way to experience the golf course. It breaks up the monotony of endless stroke-play rounds and emphasizes camaraderie and teamwork, which is what the spirit of golf is all about.

Final Thoughts

Scotch Ball is more than just a novelty format, it’s a brilliant test of partnership, strategy, and smart decision-making. By sharing the triumphs and failures of a single golf ball, you develop a stronger bond with your partner and a deeper appreciation for the tactical side of the game. So next time you're looking for a fun and fast way to play, grab a friend and give Scotch Ball a try.

Understanding the strategy for a format like Scotch Ball becomes a lot simpler when you have insight into the course itself. Since you have to decide the tee order ahead of time, knowing which holes are genuinely toughest or best suited for a bomber versus a placement player is a big benefit. This is one of the areas where our app, Caddie AI shines. You can get instant, hole-by-hole strategies for any course, which helps you plan your teamwork more effectively. What’s more, if your partner leaves you in a tricky spot, instead of guessing, you can quickly snap a photo of your lie and get immediate, expert advice on how to play the shot and leave your teammate in a better position for the next one.