Golf Glossary
Foursome Formats (Overview)
In short
In golf, Vierer refers to formats for two-player teams and sometimes to groups of four players. In the narrow sense it means the classic foursome: two partners play one ball alternately. Variants such as greensome, Chapman and four-ball are related. Which format applies depends on the terms of the competition.
What does Vierer mean in golf?
The word Vierer is used in three senses in golf, which often causes confusion.
- Classic foursome: two partners form a team and play one single ball together, hitting alternately. This is the basic form, called foursomes in English. It is covered by Rule 22 of the Rules of Golf.
- Foursome-type formats: as a collective term it covers several two-player team formats in which the ball or the choice of ball is shared. These include greensome, Chapman and the Canadian foursome.
- Group of four: on the course a flight is usually a group of up to four players. People then speak of a Vierer or Viererflight. That is not a format but the make-up of the group.
This overview is about the formats. They are mostly designed for two pairs, so exactly four players. Together with four-ball better-ball they are the main two-player team formats in golf. How many balls are in play and when the team chooses is what separates them.
The foursome formats at a glance
The main formats differ above all in which balls are in play and from when.
- Classic foursome: one ball from the start. One partner tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes. After that the partners alternate.
- Greensome: both tee off, the team picks one drive. The partner whose drive was not chosen plays the second shot, then the partners alternate.
- Canadian foursome: the term is not used consistently. It often means a form very close to greensome.
- Chapman: both tee off, each plays a second shot with the partner’s ball, then the team picks one ball and plays on alternately.
- Four-ball better-ball: each partner plays their own ball and the better score counts. Covered by Rule 23.
- Scramble: all players of a team hit before every shot and the team picks the best ball. Usually teams of two to four.
The first four share one feature: in the end there is only one ball in play. Four-ball and scramble are different: in four-ball each plays their own ball, in a scramble the team chooses after every shot.
Practical example: the same hole in four formats
Anna and Ben play as a team on a 340-metre par 4. When both tee off, Anna’s drive finishes 190 metres away on the fairway and Ben’s 215 metres away in the rough.
Classic foursome: Anna has the tee shot on this hole. Ben plays the second shot from 150 metres onto the green, Anna putts the third, Ben holes the fourth. Four strokes, par.
Greensome: both tee off and the team chooses Anna’s ball. Ben plays the second shot, then they alternate. Four strokes are possible here too.
Chapman: both tee off. Anna plays Ben’s ball from the rough, Ben plays Anna’s from the fairway. The team picks the better ball and plays on alternately, again with four strokes.
Four-ball: each plays their own ball all the way. Anna makes 4, Ben 5. The team scores 4.
In a scramble the two could even finish in three strokes, because after every shot they choose the better ball and both play the next shot.
The example shows that the same team is in a different position in each format. What matters is who hits when and what choices the team has.
Handicaps in the foursome formats
Because almost all formats use one shared ball, the team does not receive the full sum of both handicaps. The World Handicap System gives recommendations in Appendix C, though competitions may set them differently.
- Classic foursome: 50 per cent of the combined course handicaps of both partners.
- Greensome and Chapman: 60 per cent of the lower plus 40 per cent of the higher handicap.
- Four-ball match play: 90 per cent of each player’s course handicap, with the lowest then playing off zero. In stroke play 85 per cent of each player’s course handicap.
- Scramble in a team of four: 25 per cent of the lowest, then 20, 15 and 10 per cent of the highest handicap.
Example: Anna has 12, Ben has 28. In a classic foursome that is half of 40, so 20 strokes for the team. In greensome it is 60 per cent of 12 plus 40 per cent of 28, which is 7.2 plus 11.2, rounded to 18.
Foursomes, greensome, Chapman and scramble do not count for your personal handicap. Only rounds in which every player makes all strokes with their own ball count for handicap. In four-ball everyone does play their own ball. In Germany, however, the DGV lists only individual stroke play formats such as stroke play, Stableford or Maximum Score as handicap-qualifying.
Rules: Rule 22, Rule 23 and common mistakes
Two rules of the Rules of Golf matter for the foursome formats.
Rule 22 covers the classic foursome. Partners alternate on the tee and for every further stroke. It can be played as match play or stroke play. Playing out of turn is a breach with a penalty. In match play the side loses the hole, in stroke play it receives two penalty strokes and the mistake must be corrected.
Rule 23 covers four-ball. Each partner plays their own ball and the better score of the two counts as the side’s score. A partner may not play the other’s ball. The partners may play in whichever order they prefer. Once one partner has finished the hole, the other plays on if his or her score can still count.
Common mistakes:
- Wrong order in the classic foursome. Agree before the round who tees off on hole 1.
- Mixing up the formats. Ask before the start which format is being played.
- Forgetting handicaps. Clarify how the team handicap is set.
Which foursome format suits whom?
The choice depends on what you want to achieve.
- For beginners: the scramble is friendliest, because the best result of every shot counts. Four-ball is also good because everyone plays their own ball and the worse score does no harm.
- For couples and groups of friends: greensome or Canadian foursome is a good middle way. Both tee off, then you alternate.
- For experienced players: the classic foursome is the most demanding and shows how well two players work together.
- For larger groups and company days: scramble or shamble in teams of four, since they work well even when abilities differ greatly.
Whatever the format, settle a few things before the round: the order, each partner’s role and how you play on the green. A short chat saves time and arguments. A well-coordinated team plays faster than two individual players because fewer balls are in play.
Foursomes in the pro game and a little history
In professional golf the foursome formats are best known from the Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup. On the first two days foursomes and four-balls are played as match play, with singles on the final day. Foursomes are especially gripping for spectators because one partner’s error hits the whole team at once.
The classic foursome is regarded as one of the oldest team formats in golf. It has the advantage that only one ball is in play, which makes the game quick. Its exact beginnings are not fully documented. The other formats are younger and often grew out of club practice, for example the Chapman format, named after the golfer Dick Chapman.
Today the foursome formats are played worldwide in clubs, at company days and among friends. The notice of a tournament always says which format applies. If in doubt, ask.
Try it at Golf Lounge
A foursome round is easy to try at Golf Lounge Resort Hamburg in Moorfleet: up to four players are possible per tee time, which makes exactly two pairs. The 9-hole Black course is par 33 with par-3 and par-4 holes, water hazards and bunkers. It can be played with the DGV Platzreife from April to December. You book your tee time online, and guests without a membership are welcome.
Frequently asked questions
What is a foursome in golf?
A foursome is a format for two-player teams. In the narrow sense it means the classic foursome: two partners play one shared ball and hit alternately. Variants include greensome, Chapman and four-ball. In everyday use Vierer can also mean a group of four players on the course.
What is the difference between foursomes and four-ball?
In foursomes the partners play one shared ball and alternate strokes. In four-ball each partner plays their own ball into the hole and the better score counts for the team. Foursomes are covered by Rule 22 and four-ball by Rule 23 of the Rules of Golf.
Which foursome formats are there?
The main ones are the classic foursome, greensome, the Canadian foursome, the Chapman format and four-ball better-ball. Team formats with a choice of ball such as scramble and shamble are related. They differ in how many balls are in play and when the team picks a ball.
Which foursome format suits beginners?
Scramble and four-ball are especially suitable for beginners. In a scramble the team picks the best ball after every shot. In four-ball everyone plays their own ball and the worse score does not matter. The classic foursome is more demanding because every error hits both partners.
Does a foursome count for your handicap?
No. Only rounds in which every player makes all strokes with their own ball count for handicap. In foursomes, greensome or Chapman there are shared balls, so these rounds do not count. In four-ball everyone plays their own ball, but in Germany, according to the DGV, only individual stroke play counts.
As of: October 2026