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
Shamble
Also called Bramble, Champagne Scramble, Texas Shamble
Pick the best drive, then everyone plays their own ball into the hole.
- Players
- 2+ players, best with 4
- Play as
- Teams
- Scorekeeping
- Easy
- Handicaps
- Handicaps optional
- Money
- No money involved
- Type
- Team & Partner Formats
How to play
Every player tees off and the team picks the best drive. Each player drops within one club-length of that spot and plays their own ball until holed. The team then counts one or two of the individual scores depending on the event.
Scoring
Most tournaments count the best 1 or best 2 net scores per hole; aggregate of all balls is rarer. Net allowances are typically 80% of course handicap for 4-person teams and 85% for 2-3 person teams. Expect team scores 4-8 strokes higher than the same group in a scramble.
Variations
- One-best-ball vs two-best-ball counting
- Step-Aside Shamble
- Par Is Your Partner (team never scores worse than par)
- Minimum drives per player
Tips
- Prefer the drive with the best lie over pure distance
- Communicate before approaches when two balls must count
Keeps the scramble's team feel while making every player's own game 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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