Rule 22: Foursomes (Alternate Shot) – In Simple Terms
1. What Foursomes Is?Two players form a side and play one ball, taking turns hitting shots until the ball is holed.
2. Who Tees Off
One partner tees off on all odd-numbered holes.
The other partner tees off on all even-numbered holes.
After the tee shot, partners continue to alternate every stroke.
3. Order of Play
Your side must always keep to the correct order (alternating shots).
If the wrong player hits, the side normally receives the general penalty (loss of hole in match play / two strokes in stroke play).
If the wrong player makes a stroke in stroke play and the mistake is not corrected before starting the next hole, the side is disqualified.
4. Ball in Play
Once the side puts a ball in play, either partner may take actions such as marking, lifting, or replacing the ball, as long as this does not break the alternating-shot requirement.
Only the partner whose turn it is may make the next stroke.
5. Penalties
Penalties are added to the side’s score, not to an individual player.
If a penalty requires a stroke to be taken, the partner whose turn it is must play that stroke.
6. Playing a Provisional Ball
Either partner may declare and hit a provisional ball, but the next stroke must still follow the alternating pattern.
7. Relief Situations
Either partner may drop, place or replace the ball when taking relief—again, without affecting whose turn it is to play the next stroke.