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All game formats Pairs · Points or strokes

Foursomes

Also called Alternate shot, Scotch foursomes

Two players, one ball, taking turns. The purest test of a partnership — and of patience.

Players
Pairs
Scoring
Points or strokes
Allowance
50% of the pair's combined course handicaps
Winner
Best pair score

How it works

  1. 1Before you start, decide who drives the odd holes. Your partner drives the even holes.
  2. 2After the drive you take turns hitting the same ball until it's holed.
  3. 3Penalty strokes don't change the order — the next shot is still your partner's.
  4. 4One score per hole for the pair. Play it as stroke play, Stableford or matchplay.

Worked example

Course handicaps 10 and 22 → the pair plays off 16.

Ties

Level at the top? Compare the back nine, then the last six, then the last three, then the 18th. In stroke play, half, a third, a sixth and an eighteenth of the handicap come off each in turn.

Good to know

Check which par 3s land on odd and even holes — pick the order to suit whoever's better with the irons.

One hole, shot by shot

  1. Holed · 4 shots, one score
  2. Player B · Putt — holed
  3. Player A · Approach
  4. Player B · Second shot
  5. Player A · Drive — odd hole
Who drives where
Player APlayer B

Check which par 3s land on odd and even holes — pick the order to suit whoever’s better with the irons.

Close relations

Scotch FoursomesAnother name for foursomes — alternate shots.GreensomesBoth tee off, choose the best, then alternate.Chapman / PinehurstBoth drive, swap balls, pick one, alternate.Foursomes MatchplayPairs share one ball, alternate shots.

Play it on PinPals. Live scoring works out the handicaps and keeps the leaderboard on everyone’s phone.

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Allowances follow the World Handicap System recommendations used by Golf Ireland. Your club or society may set its own — the entry sheet wins.