Foursomes

Foursomes, also known as alternate shot, is a pairs playing format in the sport of golf.[1][2]

Golfers compete in teams of two, using only one ball per team, and taking alternate shots until the hole is completed.[3][4] Team members take turns in teeing off on each hole, i.e. one player will take the tee shot on odd-numbered holes, and the other on even-numbered holes.

Foursomes is most commonly played as match play, with each hole being won by the team that completes it in the fewest shots. This form of golf is often played in team golf competitions such as the Ryder Cup,[2] Solheim Cup and the Presidents Cup.

Foursomes can also be played in stroke play competitions, with the winners being the team who have taken the fewest strokes to complete a set number of holes. Since 2000 this format has been used with alternating rounds of four-ball by the World Cup of Golf,[5] and since 2017, again combined with four-ball rounds, by the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour.[6]

  1. ^ Ellwood, Jeremy (September 30, 2018). "The Difference Between Fourball and Foursomes". Golf Monthly. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Woodard, Adam (September 26, 2018). "Ryder Cup format: Breaking down fourball, foursomes and scoring for non-golf fans". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  3. ^ "Rules of Golf - Rule 22: Foursomes (Also Known as Alternate Shot)". The R&A. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  4. ^ "Rules of Golf: Rule 22 – Foursomes (Also Known as Alternate Shot)". USGA. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  5. ^ "A quick guide to the World Cup of Golf: Preview, format, field, course, weather, live scores". Aussie Golfer. November 20, 2018. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  6. ^ "How it works: Zurich Classic of New Orleans team format". PGA Tour. April 18, 2019. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019.