Foursomes Handicap
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Foursomes (alternate shot) uses 50% of the combined Course Handicap as the team Playing Handicap. Here's the method with worked examples for balanced and mixed partnerships.
Definition
In foursomes, the team Playing Handicap is 50% of both partners' combined Course Handicaps: (Player A Course Handicap + Player B Course Handicap) × 0.5. Because partners share a ball and alternate shots, each player contributes roughly half a round.
Why 50%?
In foursomes, two players share a single ball — one drives the odd holes, the other drives the even holes, and they alternate shots from there. Each player only makes roughly half the shots in the round. Combining both players' Course Handicaps and halving gives the team a fair Playing Handicap that reflects both players contributing.
The formula
Team Playing Handicap = (Player A Course HCP + Player B Course HCP) × 0.5
Shot difference = Higher team PH − Lower team PH
HI × (Slope ÷ 113) + (CR − Par) for each player on these tees, rounded to whole numbers.
Team 1 combined CH = Player A CH + Player B CH
This gives each team's Playing Handicap.
The higher-PH team receives that number of shots from the lower-PH team.
Worked examples
Who drives which holes?
In foursomes, partners agree before teeing off who drives the odd-numbered holes (1, 3, 5…) and who drives the even-numbered holes (2, 4, 6…). There's no handicap rule on this — it's a strategic choice. Typically the stronger player drives the most demanding holes, but this is up to the team.
Unlike singles, where the receiving player uses their shots on specific holes by Stroke Index, in foursomes the shots are used by the team. The team with the higher Playing Handicap receives the agreed number of shots, applied hole-by-hole using the course's Stroke Index in the usual way.
Common questions
Is foursomes the same as alternate shot?
Yes — foursomes and alternate shot are the same format. Two players share one ball, taking turns hitting it. One player tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes, and they alternate every shot. It's the format used in the Ryder Cup, which is why you'll often hear it called "foursome" even in American golf coverage where it's not the standard club format.
Why do unbalanced partnerships (1 low + 1 high) get less benefit than expected?
Because the 50% combined method averages the two handicaps. A scratch player (CH 0) paired with a 28 gives a Playing Handicap of 14. Two 14-handicappers give the same. The foursomes format effectively makes the pair's combined ability what matters — so extreme pairings often end up with a similar Playing Handicap to a more balanced pairing with a similar combined total.
What's the difference between foursomes and greensomes?
In foursomes, only the designated player drives each hole. In greensomes, both players drive every hole, then the team selects the best drive and plays alternate shot from there. Greensomes use a different handicap formula — see the greensomes handicap calculator.
Are foursomes rounds qualifying for WHS?
Foursomes rounds do not qualify for WHS handicap purposes. Because each player only hits every other shot, the round does not produce an individual score that can be converted to a Score Differential. Only individual-format rounds (stroke play, Stableford, par/bogey) or singles matchplay count as qualifying rounds.
Related guides
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