Alternate Shot (Foursomes) Rules
Players: Teams of 2
In alternate shot, called foursomes in the Ryder Cup, two partners play a single ball and take turns hitting it. One player tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes, and the alternation continues until the ball is holed. It is the most demanding, and most team-defining, format in golf.
How it plays
Decide who tees off on odd holes and who takes the evens before the round; that order holds no matter who holed the last putt. After the tee shot, partners simply alternate until the ball is in.
Penalty strokes do not change the rotation. If your partner hits it out of bounds, the reload is still your swing.
Chapman and greensomes
Chapman (also called Pinehurst): both partners tee off, each plays the other's ball for the second shot, then the team picks one ball and alternates from there. More forgiving, and a great member-guest session.
Greensomes: both partners tee off, the team picks the better drive, and alternate shot begins from that ball, with the partner whose drive was not chosen hitting the second shot.
Handicaps and strategy
The usual allowance is half of the partners' combined course handicaps in stroke play, or the difference between the two teams' combined totals in match play. Set the allowance before the round.
Strategy is about sequencing: assign the tee shots so your stronger driver takes the tight holes and your putter-hand gets the birdie looks on the short ones.
Common questions
What is alternate shot in golf?
A two-person team format where partners play one ball and take turns hitting it, with tee shots pre-assigned to odd and even holes. The Ryder Cup calls it foursomes.
What is the difference between Chapman and alternate shot?
In Chapman both players tee off, they swap balls for the second shots, then pick one ball and alternate from there. Pure alternate shot plays one ball from the first tee.
Who tees off in alternate shot?
The team assigns one player to odd-numbered holes and the other to even-numbered holes before the round, and that rotation holds all day.
What handicap allowance is used?
Commonly 50% of the partners' combined course handicaps. Publish the allowance before play; it is the number one source of foursomes disputes.
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