Four-Ball (Best Ball)
Also called Four-Ball (Two-Man Best Ball), Better Ball, Fourball
Partners play their own balls; the lower score on each hole counts.
4+ players · best with 4Team & Partner FormatsPartners (2 v 2)Easy to score
How to play →Team & Partner Formats · Outing & Tournament Formats · Points Games
Bowmaker
Also called Bowmaker Stableford, Team Stableford
UK team format: everyone plays, the best two (usually) Stableford scores count per hole.
- Players
- 6+ players
- Play as
- Teams
- Scorekeeping
- Easy
- Handicaps
- Handicaps required
- Money
- No money involved
- Type
- Team & Partner Formats
How to play
Teams of four (sometimes three) play their own balls, normally in Stableford. On each hole a set number of players' points count toward the team total, most commonly the best two. Because it's points-based, players can pick up once they cannot score.
Scoring
Best 2 of 4 net Stableford points per hole is the standard; e.g. individual points 3, 2, 1, 0 give the team 5. Variations count 1 score on holes 1-6, 2 on 7-12 and 3 on 13-18, or 1 ball on par 3s, 2 on par 4s and 3 on par 5s. Note: the historic Bowmaker Tournament on the British PGA circuit was unrelated to this format.
Variations
- Best 1 / best 3 counting
- Bowmaker by hole groups (1-2-3)
- Bowmaker by par type
Tips
- Pair high and low handicappers so every hole has two live scores
- Pick up promptly when out of the hole to keep pace
The default UK charity-day format: fast, fair and sociable.
Works with
Each link opens every game that works for that number of players.
Related games
Scramble
Also called Captain's Choice, Fort Lauderdale, Four-Person Scramble
Everyone hits, team picks the best shot, everyone plays from there until holed.
2+ players · best with 4Team & Partner FormatsTeamsEasy to score
How to play →Sixes (Round Robin)
Also called 6-6-6, Hollywood, Triple Six
Change partners every six holes so everybody plays with everybody once.
4 players only · best with 4Team & Partner FormatsRotating partnersEasy to scoreMoney game
How to play →Chapman (Pinehurst)
Also called Chapman System, Pinehurst System, Pinehurst Foursomes
Both drive, swap balls for the second shot, pick one ball, then alternate.
4+ players · best with 4Team & Partner FormatsPartners (2 v 2)Medium to score
How to play →Sources
Rules reflect the version most groups play, cross-checked across these sources. House rules vary; agree yours on the first tee.
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