Alternate Shot
An alternate shot is a golf format in which two players compete as a team, sharing a single ball and taking turns hitting each stroke until the hole is completed. One partner tees off on the odd-numbered holes, the other on the even-numbered holes, and they switch after every shot in between. The format is officially called “foursomes” under the Rules of Golf.
What is an alternate shot in golf?
The term “alternate shot” describes both the action and the format. Two golfers form a side, play one ball between them, and take turns with every stroke. If Player A hits the tee shot, Player B hits the approach, Player A putts, and so on until the ball drops.
The official name in the Rules of Golf is “foursomes,” governed by Rule 22 (R&A/USGA). In the United States, “alternate shot” became the common name because it spells out exactly what happens on the course. Across the United Kingdom and Ireland, “foursomes” remains the standard term, and some clubs there still prefer two-ball foursomes play over four-ball as their default weekend format.
Alternate shot is most visible in professional team competitions. The Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and Presidents Cup all include foursomes sessions alongside four-ball and singles matches. On the PGA Tour, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans has used a team format since 2017, with alternate shot rounds in the second and final rounds of the tournament (PGA Tour).
How alternate shot works
Before the round begins, the two partners decide who tees off on the first hole. That player then tees off on all odd-numbered holes (1, 3, 5, and the rest of the front and back nine), while the other tees off on all even-numbered holes. After each tee shot, the partners swap: whoever did not hit the drive plays the next stroke, and they continue alternating until the ball is holed.
A common point of confusion for newcomers is what happens between holes. The alternation resets at the start of each hole based on the pre-set odd/even split, not based on who played the last shot on the previous hole. So if Player A holes out on the 5th green, Player A still tees off on the 7th because that is an odd-numbered hole.
Penalty strokes do not change the order. If the team takes a penalty drop, the same player whose turn it was still hits the next shot. For provisional balls, the partner whose turn it is to play next must hit the provisional, not the player who hit the original (Rule 22, R&A/USGA).
Playing out of order carries real consequences. In match play, the side loses the hole. In stroke play, the incorrect stroke is cancelled, a two-stroke penalty is added, and the correct player must replay (Rule 22.3).
The format is typically played as match play. Foursomes match play is common in club competitions and in the Ryder Cup, where Europe has won 84 foursomes matches compared to 73 for the United States, with 19 halved, across the competition’s history (Sporting Life). Tommy Fleetwood is a standout in the format, holding a perfect 6-0 record in Ryder Cup foursomes through the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black (RyderCup.com).
Alternate shot vs. four-ball
These two formats often appear side by side in the same competition, but they play out differently. Here is a quick comparison:
| Feature | Alternate shot (foursomes) | Four-ball (best ball) |
| Balls in play per team | One | Two (each player plays their own ball) |
| How the score is recorded | Total strokes on the shared ball | Lower score of the two partners on each hole |
| Difficulty for amateurs | Higher, since one bad shot directly affects the partner | Lower, since each player can recover independently |
| Pace of play | Faster, with only one ball per team | Slower, with two balls per team |
| Rules of Golf reference | Rule 22 | Rule 23 |
At the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the contrast between the two formats is visible on the leaderboard. Four-ball rounds regularly produce scores deep under par, while the alternate shot rounds tend to cluster closer to par. The tournament record for an alternate shot round at TPC Louisiana is 9-under 63, shared by three different teams as of 2024 (Yahoo Sports).
Variations of alternate shot
Several offshoots of the standard format exist, each adjusting how the opening tee shot is handled.
Greensomes (also called Scotch foursomes) let both players tee off on every hole. The team then picks the better drive. From that spot, they play alternate shots until the ball is holed, which takes some of the pressure off the tee and makes the format popular in mixed and club-level competitions.
In Chapman (also called Pinehurst or American foursomes), both players tee off and then swap balls for the second shot. After those second shots land, the team picks one ball and finishes the hole with alternate strokes. Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina is closely associated with the format.
Bloodsomes (also called gruesomes) flip the selection in greensomes. Instead of the team choosing which tee shot to play, the opposing team picks, forcing the side to play from the worse of its two drives.
Related Golf Terms
- Four-ball — A team format where both partners play their own ball, and the lower score counts on each hole.
- Match play — A scoring format where the result is decided hole by hole rather than by total strokes.
- All square — In match play, when the match is tied.
- Alignment stick — A thin rod used during practice to help with aim and swing alignment.
- Handicap index — A number representing a golfer’s ability, used to calculate course handicap for fair competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between alternate shot and foursomes?
They are the same format. “Alternate shot” is the common American name; “foursomes” is the official term in the Rules of Golf and the standard name in the UK and Ireland.
Can an alternate shot be played as stroke play?
Yes. The Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour uses alternate shot in a stroke-play setting. At the club level, though, match play is far more common for this format.
How are handicaps calculated in alternate shot?
In stroke play, the two partners combine their course handicaps and divide by two. In match play, both sides combine their course handicaps, and the higher-handicapped side receives strokes equal to half the difference between the two totals.
Does a penalty shot change the order of play?
No. Penalty strokes do not affect whose turn it is. The player who was next to play still hits the next shot, regardless of the penalty.
Sources
- R&A / USGA. “Rule 22: Foursomes (Also Known as Alternate Shot).” Rules of Golf. Accessed April 2026.
- Sporting Life. “Ryder Cup Stats: Key Trends and Statistics.” Accessed April 2026.
- RyderCup.com. “Facts and Figures from 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage.” Accessed April 2026.
- PGA Tour. “How It Works: Zurich Classic of New Orleans Team Format.” Accessed April 2026.
- Yahoo Sports. “PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic Is a Team Event. How Does the Format, Money and Points Work?” Accessed April 2026.
- ESPN. “Europe Seizes 3-1 Ryder Cup Lead on U.S. After Foursomes.” Accessed April 2026.
- Wikipedia. “Foursomes.” Accessed April 2026.
