Best Ball / Four-Ball — Match
Best Ball Match is the umbrella; the 2-player USGA variant is Four-Ball Match (Rule 23, 85% handicap allowance). Two teams of 2, 3, or 4 players play each other directly. Per hole, each team's score = the lowest individual score (or sum of the lowest N for larger teams). Lower team score wins the hole; ties halve. Standard match-play closeout (A/S, Dormie, 3&2). Gross or net.
- Players
- Two 2-, 3-, or 4-player teams
- Net scoring
- Supported
How it works
The mechanics, hole by hole.
- 1Each player plays their own ball.
- 2Per hole, each team's team-score = sum of its lowest counting scores (admin picks the count: 1, 2, 3, or all).
- 3Compare team A's team-score against team B's: lower wins the hole, ties halve.
- 4Status reported in standard match-play language: A/S, 1 Up, Dormie 2, 3&2.
- 5Match closes out when a team is up by more holes than remain.
- 6Gross or net (handicap strokes deducted per USGA allocation before picking the lowest).
When to play it
Best fit.
When you want best-ball depth of scoring but a match-play scoreboard — head-to-head between two teams. Standard format for Ryder Cup / Presidents Cup four-ball sessions, club championship semifinals, and member-guest finals where 'we're 2 Up with 4 to play' beats a stroke leaderboard for drama.
Worked example
3 holes, with the math shown.
| Hole | Team A best ball | Team B best ball | Hole result | Status after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | A wins | 1 Up (A) |
| 2 | 4 | 5 | A wins | 2 Up (A) |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | Halved | 2 Up (A) |
After 3 holes, Team A is 2 Up. If they hold the 2 Up lead through hole 16, it's reported as Dormie 2 (lead equals holes remaining — A can't lose, can still tie). Win hole 17 to go 3 Up with 1 left: 3&1, match over.
Other team formats
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Scramble
Everyone tees off, take the best ball, all play that one in. One team score per hole.
Shamble
Best drive picked, then each plays their own ball in. Best 2 scores per hole count.
Best Ball / Four-Ball — Stroke
Each plays their own ball; team's score = sum of the lowest scores. Stroke play vs. the field.
Ball
Capped Best Ball — short-handed teams still score on every hole.
Chapman / Pinehurst
2-player alternate-shot variant. Both drive, swap, then alternate to the hole.
6-6-6 (Sixes)
18 holes split into three 6-hole segments, each a different format.
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