Rule 22: Playing Together: The Foursomes Format
What this is about
Rule 22 covers foursomes: you and your partner form a team and play one ball together, taking turns.
What you need to do
- Alternate teeing off: if your partner tees off on hole 1, you tee off on hole 2.
- After that, you alternate strokes until the ball is in the hole. Penalty strokes don't change that order.
- A provisional ball is played by whoever is next in line to play the team's next stroke.
- If a stroke doesn't count, for example because it has to be replayed, the same partner plays again.
- Both partners may do things like mark, lift, and replace the ball, regardless of whose turn it is.
- Play out of order? That costs the general penalty, and the correct partner must replay the stroke. Fail to correct it before you start the next hole, and you're disqualified.
Common mistake
Forgetting that the teeing turn switches every hole. Whoever teed off on hole 1 doesn't tee off again until hole 3.
Example
Piet tees off on hole 1 and the ball ends up in the bunker. Lies plays it out, then it's Piet's turn again. On hole 2, Lies tees off.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
22.1 Overview
You play foursomes as match play or stroke play. Two partners form a side and play alternately with the same ball. Rules 1 through 20 apply, with a few modifications.
22.2 Both partners may act for the side
Either partner may act for the side, such as marking the ball, lifting it, replacing it, and tending the flagstick. Whatever your partner does counts as your own action.
22.3 Partners must take turns hitting
You must strictly alternate strokes; penalty strokes don't change that order. If the wrong partner plays, the side gets the general penalty. That stroke doesn't count: the correct partner plays again from the spot of the previous stroke. In stroke play, you must fix this before teeing off on the next hole, or you're disqualified.
22.4 Starting the round
22.4a Which partner plays first
On the first hole, the side may choose who tees off. After that, you alternate teeing off: the partner who hits the tee shot changes each hole.
22.4b Starting time and starting point
The partner who tees off first must be ready at the starting point at the starting time, and not start earlier. The other partner must also be present at that time, either at the starting point or on the hole, roughly where the ball is expected to end up.
22.5 Partners may share the same clubs
You may use each other's clubs, as long as you don't have more than 14 clubs between you.
22.6 Partner may not stand behind the other
While your partner makes a stroke, you may not stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball to gather information for your side's next stroke.
Practice questions about Rule 22
In foursomes, partner A tees off on hole 1. Who plays the second stroke?
Answer: Partner B, they play alternately
In foursomes, the partners play strictly in turn (Rule 22.3). Partner A tees off, partner B plays the second stroke, partner A the third, and so on. On the next hole, partner B tees off.
What is a "foursome"?
Answer: Two players form a team and take turns hitting the same ball
In foursomes, two partners take turns hitting the same ball. One tees off on odd-numbered holes, the other on even-numbered holes.
Are you allowed to discuss the stroke to be played with your partner in foursomes?
Answer: Yes, partners may always consult each other
Partners on a team may always consult each other. The advice ban doesn't apply between partners.
In foursomes: who tees off on hole 1?
Answer: The team chooses which partner tees off on hole 1
Before the round starts, the side can choose which partner tees off on hole 1 (Rule 22.4a). After that, the partners alternate on each hole as to who tees off first.