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
Round Robin for 5 or 6
Also called Round Robin for Five or Six, Rotating Matches, Fivesome Round Robin, Sixsome Sixes
Rotate pairings every three or six holes so everyone plays with and against everyone.
- Players
- 5–6 players, best with 5–6
- Play as
- Rotating partners
- Scorekeeping
- Medium
- Handicaps
- Handicaps recommended
- Money
- Money optional
- Type
- Team & Partner Formats
How to play
With six, play 3v3 or three pairs in best ball and change partners every six holes (3 segments) so each player partners two different people. With five, run 2v3 best ball and rotate one player across every three holes, or toss balls or spin a tee to draw new pairs each segment. Every segment is its own match with its own bet.
Scoring
1 point per hole won inside each segment; a player's total is the sum of their team results. Settle per point of difference or a flat stake per segment. Six players in pairs: three six-hole matches, each pair vs. the other two pairs.
Variations
- Spin the tee to pick partners
- Segments of 3, 6 or 9 holes
- Use Wolf or Vegas scoring inside segments
Tips
- Print the rotation; five- and six-player schedules get confusing
- Keep one scorekeeper per cart
- Even handicaps by pairing high with low
Everyone partners everyone, so the money spreads around.
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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