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Rule 22

Foursomes

Also searched as: alternate shot, foursome, Chapman, Pinehurst

Two partners play one ball and take alternate strokes. They also alternate on the tees: one tees off on the odd-numbered holes, the other on the even-numbered holes.

Foursomes can be played as stroke play or match play. Penalties always apply to the side.

If the wrong partner plays in stroke play, the side gets two penalty strokes. The stroke does not count, and the right partner plays from the same spot. If the mistake is not corrected before teeing off on the next hole, the side is disqualified.

A popular variation is the Chapman or Pinehurst format: both partners tee off, each plays the other’s ball for the second shot, then they choose one ball and play alternate shots from there. It is not a format in the Rules of Golf and is set out in the terms of the competition. Do not confuse foursomes with four-ball, where each player plays their own ball.