Greensomes vs
Foursomes.
Both formats use two players sharing a ball, but they play differently — and they use different handicap allowances. Here's how to tell them apart and choose the right one for your group.
At a glance
| Greensomes | Foursomes | |
|---|---|---|
| Tee shot | Both players drive every hole | Designated player drives odd or even holes |
| Ball in play | Best drive selected, other ball abandoned | Single ball from the tee, always in play |
| Second shot | Partner of the driver plays the second shot | Partner of the driver plays the second shot |
| After second shot | Alternate shot from there | Alternate shot from there |
| Handicap formula | (lower CH × 0.6) + (higher CH × 0.4) | (Player A CH + Player B CH) × 0.5 |
| Favours | Better driver in the partnership | More balanced partnerships |
| Difficulty | Easier — two chances off the tee | Harder — one ball from the tee every hole |
| Best for | Society days, casual golfers, mixed groups | Club competitions, Ryder Cup events |
The key difference on the tee
The one distinction that matters most: in greensomes, both players tee off on every hole and the team picks the best drive. In foursomes, only one designated player tees off — the same person drives odd holes all round, their partner drives even holes all round. Once you're off the tee, both formats play identically: alternate shot until the ball is holed.
This single difference makes greensomes considerably more forgiving. A bad tee shot doesn't cost you the hole — your partner's drive might be fine. In foursomes, one bad drive is in play, and you must deal with it.
Handicap calculations compared
PH = (lower CH × 0.6) + (higher CH × 0.4)
The better player contributes more (60%) because their drive is more likely to be used.
PH = (Player A CH + Player B CH) × 0.5
Both players contribute equally because each drives exactly half the holes.
Player A: HI 8 → Course Handicap 8 | Player B: HI 20 → Course Handicap 20
Which should you choose?
Choose Greensomes when…
- The group includes higher handicappers who might struggle under the pressure of foursomes tee shots
- It's a society day where you want a relaxed, social atmosphere
- Mixed-ability partnerships — the better player's drive safety net makes uneven pairings more enjoyable
- Pace of play is a priority — greensomes rarely gets stuck behind a bad drive in the trees
Choose Foursomes when…
- You want the genuine Ryder Cup experience — the format used in the real thing
- Both players are reasonably competent off the tee and can handle the pressure of driving on alternate holes
- A formal club competition where WHS foursomes is the designated format
- You want the strategic tension of who drives which holes — genuine team golf at its most demanding
Common questions
In greensomes, can the player whose drive was chosen play the second shot?
No. In greensomes, whichever drive is selected, the other player (the one whose drive was NOT chosen) plays the second shot. This is the defining rule of greensomes — it's a form of alternate shot, so once the drive is selected, alternation begins from there.
What is Canadian greensomes — is it the same as greensomes?
Canadian greensomes (also called Chapman Pairs) is a variant where both players drive, choose the best drive, then swap — the player whose drive was selected plays the second shot, and the other player plays the third. After the third shot, it becomes standard alternate shot. It uses the same handicap allowance as greensomes (0.6 lower CH + 0.4 higher CH). See the Canadian greensomes calculator.
Why does foursomes use a 50% combined handicap but greensomes doesn't?
In foursomes, each player drives exactly half the holes and plays alternate shots with no choice involved. Both players contribute equally to the round, so the 50% combined formula (which is the average of both Course Handicaps) is a fair reflection. In greensomes, the better player's drive is used more often statistically, so the 60/40 weighting accounts for that advantage.
Is greensomes recognised by the WHS?
The WHS defines handicap allowances for greensomes and foursomes, so both are recognised formats for handicap purposes. However, rounds played in either format do not qualify as WHS handicap returns for your individual Handicap Index — only individual-format rounds count. The formats are used for competition play only.
Related guides
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