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 · Betting Games
Left-Right
Also called Left and Right, Lefts and Rights
Teams are re-drawn every hole by where the tee shots finish, left or right.
- Players
- 4 players only, best with 4
- Play as
- Rotating partners
- Scorekeeping
- Easy
- Handicaps
- Handicaps optional
- Money
- Money game
- Type
- Team & Partner Formats
How to play
All four players tee off. The two balls farthest to the right form one team for that hole and the two farthest left form the other. The hole is then played as four-ball (better ball) match play, and teams are reformed on the next tee.
Scoring
One point to each player on the team that wins the hole; ties halve. Total points at the end determine the payout. Play gross or with course handicaps by stroke index.
Variations
- Long-and-short pairing (two longest vs two shortest drives)
- Use it for a few holes of a 6-6-6
Tips
- A drive in the trees still counts; it's about left/right, not good/bad
- Agree how to pair a lost ball or OB tee shot
Partner changes every hole so alliances and grudges never last.
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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