Four-ball golf explained
Four-ball is a pairs playing format in the game of golf. It is also known as better ball[1] or best ball. It is also sometimes abbreviated as 4BBB.
In a stroke play competition, competitors are paired and play as a team. Each golfer plays their own ball; the team's score on each hole is the lower of the two players' scores. Only one of a pair is required to complete each hole. The winners are the team with the lowest aggregate score over a set number of holes.[2] [3] Since 2017 this format, along with foursomes, has been used by the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour.[4]
In a match play competition, a four-ball consists of two teams of two players competing directly against each other. All four golfers play their own balls throughout the round (rather than alternating shots); each hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score.[2] [3] This form of golf is commonly played in team golf competitions such as the Ryder Cup,[5] Solheim Cup, and Presidents Cup.
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: The Difference Between Fourball and Foursomes . Golf Monthly . Jeremy . Ellwood . September 30, 2018 . December 17, 2019 . December 17, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191217134411/https://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/ryder-cup/ryder-cup-blog/difference-fourball-foursomes-66245 . live .
- Web site: Rules of Golf - Rule 23: Four-Ball . The R&A . December 16, 2019 . June 6, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200606233516/https://www.randa.org/Rog/2019/Rules/The-Rules-of-Golf/Rule-23 . live .
- Web site: Rules of Golf: Rule 23 - Four-Ball . USGA . December 17, 2019 . December 12, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191212224959/https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=pe§ion=rule&rulenum=23 . live .
- Web site: How it works: Zurich Classic of New Orleans team format . PGA Tour . April 18, 2019 . December 17, 2019 . December 17, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191217134416/https://www.pgatour.com/news/2017/04/17/zurich-classic-team-format-how-it-works.html . live .
- News: Ryder Cup format: Breaking down fourball, foursomes and scoring for non-golf fans . USA Today . Adam . Woodard . September 26, 2018 . December 17, 2019 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109004726/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2018/09/26/ryder-cup-fourball-foursomes-and-scoring/1429772002/ . live .
