Alternate Shot (Foursomes)
One ball, two players, taking turns
Alternate shot, called foursomes in the Ryder Cup, is the format that produces the most drama. Two partners share one ball and take turns hitting it, so every shot puts your partner in a good or bad spot. It plays fast and it rewards pairs who know each other’s game.
- Players
- 2 vs 2
- Handicap allowance
- 50% of the pair’s combined course handicap
- Pace
- Fast, half the shots of a normal round
- Best for
- Confident players and close friends
How alternate shot works
- 1
Decide who tees off first
One partner tees off on the odd-numbered holes and the other on the even-numbered holes, for the whole round.
- 2
Alternate every shot
After the tee shot, partners take turns until the ball is holed. Penalty strokes don’t change whose turn it is.
- 3
Record one score per team
The team has a single ball, so it has a single score on each hole.
- 4
Apply the team’s strokes
Add the two partners’ course handicaps and take half. The team with the higher number gets the difference on the hardest holes.
- 5
Win the hole
In match play, the lower net team score wins the hole.
Scoring example: working out strokes and one hole
Team A’s course handicaps are 10 and 18 (combined 28, half is 14). Team B’s are 6 and 14 (combined 20, half is 10). Team A gets 4 strokes, on stroke index 1–4. This is a par 4, stroke index 3.
| Team | Team handicap | Gross | Stroke? | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 14 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| B | 10 | 4 | — | 4 |
Both teams make a net 4, so the hole is halved.
Handicaps in alternate shot
The USGA recommends 50% of the partners’ combined course handicap for foursomes. The team with the lower number plays at zero and the other team gets the difference.
Because each team only has one ball, the gap between teams usually ends up smaller than in best ball.
Pros
- Fast: each team hits half as many shots
- Every shot matters for your partner, which makes it tense and fun to watch
- Easy to score, with one ball per side
Cons
- Can be stressful for beginners, since a bad shot leaves your partner in trouble
- A pair with very different abilities can struggle
When to play alternate shot
Play alternate shot as the middle session of a Ryder Cup weekend, or as a short morning round before an afternoon best ball. Pair players who get along, because the format puts them under pressure together.
Alternate Shot in CupTracker
Alternate shot is a built-in 2 vs 2 format. CupTracker adds the pair’s course handicaps and takes 50% by default; you can change the split for a whole round or for one group.
One score per team per hole, and CupTracker keeps the match status and the team points up to date as you go.
Mix it with other formats across your rounds, or even within one round. Building your event is free; you pay when you publish it to your group.
Alternate Shot FAQs
- Is alternate shot the same as foursomes?
- Yes. Foursomes is the official name used in the Rules of Golf and the Ryder Cup. Two partners play one ball, taking turns, and tee off on alternate holes.
- Who tees off in alternate shot?
- Partners alternate tee shots by hole: one player tees off on all the odd holes and the other on all the even holes, no matter who hit the last shot on the previous hole.
- What is the handicap allowance for alternate shot?
- The USGA recommends 50% of the two partners’ combined course handicap. In match play, the team with the higher result gets the difference in strokes.
- What is the difference between alternate shot and a Chapman (Pinehurst) format?
- In a Chapman, both partners tee off, swap balls for the second shot, then choose one ball and alternate from there. In straight alternate shot, only one partner tees off on each hole.
