Golf Game Format
Best ball (also called four-ball) is a team golf format where each player plays their own ball and the team counts the lowest score on each hole. With 2-person teams, your partner's par saves you when you make double bogey. The format rewards aggressive play since you have a safety net.
Best Ball
Team net
The Basics
Team scoring with individual play
Each player plays the hole as normal with their own ball from tee to green.
The team records the best score among all teammates on each hole.
Your partner's par saves you when you make double bogey. The format rewards aggressive play since you have a safety net.
The best teams have both players contributing - you want two chances at birdie, not just one.
Example
A 2-person best ball team through 4 holes
| Hole | Par | Player A | Player B | Team Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
The team is 2 under par through 4 holes. Player A contributed on holes 2 and 4; Player B contributed on holes 1 and 3 (plus hole 4). Both players contributed to the team score.
Formats
Different ways to play best ball
Most common format. Two players per team, lowest score counts on each hole.
Used in: Member-guest tournaments, club championships, Ryder Cup four-ball
Four players, one team. Best of four scores counts. Often played against par.
Used in: Corporate outings, charity events, casual rounds
Two teams compete hole by hole. Lowest best ball wins the hole. This is the Ryder Cup "four-ball" format. caddie.fun tracks match status, dormie detection, and automatic match conclusion.
Used in: Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, interclub matches
Handicaps applied. Each player gets strokes on specific holes. Net scores compared.
Used in: Most club competitions, allows mixed skill levels
Comparison
Understanding the difference
| Aspect | Best Ball | Scramble |
|---|---|---|
| How you play | Each player plays their own ball all the way | All players hit from the best shot location |
| Skill required | Higher - must complete every hole | Lower - weak shots are ignored |
| Typical score | 5-10 under par (2-person net) | 15-20 under par (4-person) |
| Pressure | More - your mistakes count | Less - always playing from best spot |
| Best for | Competitive events, similar skill levels | Outings, charity events, mixed abilities |
Strategy
Coordinate with your partner for the best results
If your partner hits a safe shot, you can be aggressive. If they're in trouble, play safe to ensure a team score.
If your partner is putting for par, go for the birdie putt. You have nothing to lose - the worst case is par.
If one player is a better putter and the other is longer, the longer player should attack and the putter should grind out pars.
At least one player should be aggressive on scoring opportunities. Two safe pars is fine, but you need birdies to win.
Handicaps
How strokes are allocated
In net best ball, each player receives a percentage of their course handicap as strokes on specific holes. Common allocations:
Example: A 12-handicap at 80% gets 10 strokes (rounded). Those strokes fall on the 10 highest stroke index holes on the scorecard.
In best ball, each player plays their own ball throughout the hole and the team takes the lowest score. In a scramble, all players hit from the same spot (the best shot) after each stroke. Best ball requires more individual skill; scrambles are more forgiving.
Best ball is typically played with 2-person or 4-person teams. In 2-person best ball, partners play against another pair. In 4-person best ball, you can play as one team against par or against another foursome.
Yes, net best ball is common. Each player receives strokes on specific holes based on their handicap. The team score is the lowest net score among teammates on each hole.
Four-ball is another name for best ball, commonly used in match play formats like the Ryder Cup. Four players (two teams of two) each play their own ball, and the lower score from each team competes on each hole.
Yes, that's one appeal of the format. If your partner has a bad hole, your score counts. But the best teams have both players contributing - you want two chances at birdie, not just one.
Yes. When playing best ball in match play, the app tracks which team is up or down, detects dormie status, and concludes the match automatically when the result is decided. Results feed into Team Battle standings if the round is part of a team competition.
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