What is Four-Ball?
Four-Ball is the team format where you keep the most freedom. You play your own ball from tee to hole, exactly as in an ordinary round, but you have a partner to catch you when it goes wrong. Only the team's better score on each hole counts, so you can take turns being the hero.
It is sometimes informally called best ball. In the Rules of Golf, however, Four-Ball is the precise name for two-player sides where both partners play their own ball; Best-Ball formally describes a different match format.
How to play Four-Ball
- All four players play their own ball for the whole round.
- On each hole, only the better score in each team counts.
- The team with the lower team score wins the hole.
- An equal team score halves the hole.
How it is worked out
Four-Ball is most often settled as a match between the two teams. Win the hole and your team goes one up, and once the lead is greater than the number of holes remaining the match is over, exactly as in ordinary match play.
Off handicap, each player has their strokes allocated according to the course's stroke index, and the net scores determine the team's score on the hole. That makes Four-Ball an excellent choice for four players of differing standards. Wager Golf works out each player's net score, picks the team's lower score and keeps the match score for you.
When does Four-Ball suit?
Four-Ball is the perfect choice when four players of differing standards want to play together and still compete on equal terms. Everyone plays their own ball, so nobody has to feel like a liability, and a hot day from the team's weaker player can decide the whole match.
Tactics and common mistakes
- Both players should dare. Because only the lower score counts, it is a waste if both play safe. If your partner is already well placed, go for the flag.
- Take turns taking the risks. If one of you knows your partner has a par in the bag, the other can attack without fear. That is where Four-Ball is won, not in both of you playing carefully.
