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
Florida Scramble (Step-Aside)
Also called Step-Aside Scramble, Dropout Scramble, Stand-Aside, Stand-Out, Mexican Standoff
Scramble where whoever hit the chosen shot sits out the next stroke.
- Players
- 3+ players
- Play as
- Teams
- Scorekeeping
- Easy
- Handicaps
- Handicaps optional
- Money
- No money involved
- Type
- Team & Partner Formats
How to play
All four tee off and the team picks the best drive. The player who hit it steps aside while the other three play the next shot. The best of those three is chosen and that player sits out the following shot, and so on until holed. Everyone rejoins for the next tee.
Scoring
One team score per hole. A common net allowance is 20% / 15% / 10% / 5% of the A/B/C/D players' handicaps, summed into a team handicap. Only three players hit non-tee shots, so rounds can be quicker than a standard scramble.
Variations
- Step-Aside Shamble
- Miami Scramble (driver sits out until the green, not just one shot)
- Some organizers use 'Florida' and 'Miami' interchangeably
Tips
- Consider taking the second-best drive if the best hitter is also your best approach player
- Decide before the round whether the sit-out applies on the green
Spreads contributions around so the high-handicappers' shots genuinely matter.
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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