Four-Ball

What is Four-Ball?

Four-Ball is the team match play format you've seen in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup. Four players split into two teams of two. Every player plays their own ball from tee to green on every hole — no scrambling, no picking up your partner's ball. At the end of each hole, the team compares both players' scores and uses the lower one to compete against the opposing team.

That lower score is the "best ball" for the team on that hole. The two teams then compare their best balls head-to-head, just like match play — the team with the lower score wins the hole. After 9 or 18 holes, the team that won more holes wins the match.

The format creates an exciting dynamic where a bad hole from one teammate can be rescued by a great hole from the other. You're never completely out of a hole as long as your partner is still in it.

How Scoring Works

1. 1

   Split into two teams of two. All four players play their own ball the entire round — each player is responsible for their own score on every hole.

2. 2

   After everyone holes out, each team takes the lower of their two scores as the team score for that hole.

3. 3

   The two team scores are compared. The team with the lower score wins the hole and goes 1UP. If scores are equal, the hole is halved.

4. 4

   A team member can pick up their ball at any point if their partner has already beaten or matched the opposing team's best score — their individual score can't help the team on that hole.

5. 5

   The match ends when one team's lead exceeds the holes remaining — same as any match play format (e.g., 3&2 means 3 holes up with 2 to play).

Playing with Handicaps

Four-Ball works well with handicaps. Each player receives their individual handicap strokes on specific holes based on the stroke index. After applying handicap strokes, the net scores are compared — the team uses whichever partner has the better net score on each hole.

This levels the playing field for mixed-handicap groups and is the standard for most casual and organized four-ball competitions. Strokes & Stakes calculates net scoring automatically when you enable handicaps during round setup.

Setting Up the Wager

Four-Ball betting works exactly like standard match play betting — a flat pot that goes to the winning team. Both teams contribute the same amount, and the winning team takes it all. A tie after 18 holes means no money changes hands (or you go to sudden death to decide it).

Some groups add a press — a secondary match that resets when one team falls 2DOWN. This creates a new sub-bet running alongside the main match. Presses are common in Four-Ball and keep the game competitive even if one team runs away early.

Strokes & Stakes handles the Four-Ball match result and calculates the final payout at the end of the round.

Pro Tips

• The best partnership strategy is to take turns being aggressive. If one partner is in trouble off the tee, the other should play conservatively to ensure the team posts a score.
• Once your partner has made a score that can't be beaten, pick up your ball. No reason to waste strokes on a hole where the result is already decided.
• Four-Ball tends to produce lower team scores than stroke play, so par saves still win holes. Don't assume you need birdies to stay competitive.
• Pair players strategically — a high-handicapper with a low-handicapper means there's almost always one good score on each hole.
• The format is used at the Ryder Cup because it creates constant drama. Even a player having a terrible round can still contribute a crucial hole when their partner needs it most.

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