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All game formats Pairs · Points or strokes

Greensomes

Also called Canadian foursomes

The friendlier foursomes. Two drives to choose from takes the sting out of a bad tee shot.

Players
Pairs
Scoring
Points or strokes
Allowance
60% of the lower + 40% of the higher course handicap
Winner
Best pair score

How it works

  1. 1Both partners tee off.
  2. 2Choose the better drive. Pick up the other ball.
  3. 3The player whose drive wasn't chosen plays the second shot.
  4. 4Alternate from there until the ball is holed.

Worked example

Course handicaps 8 and 20 → 4.8 + 8 = 12.8, so the pair plays off 13.

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.

Close relations

FoursomesOne ball, alternate shots, alternate tees.GruesomesOpponents pick your worst drive. Brutal.Chapman / PinehurstBoth drive, swap balls, pick one, alternate.Greensomes MatchplayBoth drive, pick one, then alternate.

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.