Best Ball Golf Rules (Four-Ball)

Updated February 2026 · 5 min read

Best Ball — officially called "Four-Ball" in the Rules of Golf — is the most popular team format in golf. Two-player teams each play their own ball on every hole, and the team's score is the lower of the two individual scores. It's simple, keeps everyone playing their own game, and creates a natural safety net: if one partner blows up a hole, the other can carry the team.

How Best Ball Works

The concept is straightforward:

1. Form two teams of two players each.
2. Every player plays their own ball for the entire hole — no sharing shots or alternating.
3. At the end of each hole, compare each player's score. The team's score for that hole is the lower of the two partners' scores.
4. The team with the lower best ball score wins the hole (match play) or records the lower score (stroke play).

If Player A makes a 5 and Partner B makes a 4, the team's score is 4. It doesn't matter how bad one partner plays — only the best ball counts.

Best Ball vs. Scramble — What's the Difference?

This is the most common point of confusion in golf. In a scramble, all players hit from the same spot (the best shot) on every stroke. In best ball, each player plays their own ball independently from tee to green. You never share a lie in best ball.

Best ball is a more "real" test of golf because everyone plays their own ball. A scramble is more forgiving and better for charity events or groups with beginners.

Handicaps in Best Ball

Best ball with handicaps keeps things fair between mismatched teams. The most common approach:

1. Take each player's full course handicap.
2. Apply strokes on the appropriate holes as rated on the scorecard.
3. Compare net scores — the lower net score is the team's score for each hole.

Some tournaments reduce handicaps in best ball (using 90% or 80% of full handicap) because having two chances at a good score is inherently advantageous. For casual play, full handicaps are fine.

Best Ball in Match Play vs. Stroke Play

Match Play Best Ball

Compare team best balls hole by hole. The team with the lower score wins the hole. This is how best ball is played in the Ryder Cup — it's called "Four-Ball" in that context. Matches end when one team has an insurmountable lead.

Stroke Play Best Ball

Add up your team's best ball score across all 18 holes. The team with the lowest total wins. This is common in club tournaments and charity events.

Setting Up Teams

For a fair match, pair players strategically:

High-low pairing: Pair the best player with the worst player on each team. This creates the most balanced match.

Similar abilities: Pair players of similar handicaps on each team. This can create more competitive holes where all four players are in contention.

Draw names: For larger events, random draw keeps things fair and prevents stacking.

Strategy Tips

Communicate with your partner. If your partner striped their drive down the middle, you can afford to take a riskier line off the tee. If they're in trouble, play it safe to guarantee the team has at least one ball in play.

One of you should always be safe. The golden rule of best ball: never have both partners in trouble at the same time. If your partner takes a risk, you play conservative — and vice versa.

Putt aggressively when your partner has a tap-in. If your partner has a 2-footer for par, you can ram your 15-footer for birdie without worrying about the comebacker. Your partner's par is already locked in.

Don't give up on your ball. Even if your partner is sitting 3 feet from the pin for birdie, finish your hole. You might make your putt too, and that birdie carries forward. Plus, in net scoring, your bogey with a stroke might be a net par that comes in handy.