Golf league format
Alternate shot
In alternate shot, also called foursomes or Scotch foursomes, two golfers share one ball and take turns hitting it. The team handicap is commonly 50% of the two course handicaps added together, rounded once.
- Who plays
- Teams of two, one ball
- Scoring
- One team score a hole
- Handicap allowance
- 50% of the two course handicaps added
- Best for
- Member-guests, partner events and a change of pace
The rules
- The partners decide who tees off on the odd holes and who tees off on the even holes, and the order cannot change during the round.
- After the tee shot, the partners alternate on every shot, including putts, until the ball is holed.
- A penalty stroke does not change whose turn it is. The partner who was due to play still plays.
- The team records one score for the hole. Total the holes for the round.
- A team that plays out of turn takes a penalty under the Rules of Golf, so agree the order on the first tee.
Recommended handicap allowance
Add the two course handicaps and take half. The result is rounded once, and a half rounds up. A team of 8 and 15 has 23 combined, half of that is 11.5, and the team handicap is 12.
Some events weight the two golfers instead, for example 60% of the lower handicap plus 40% of the higher. The same team gets 11 strokes that way. Gimme supports both. Use the simple half unless your event has written a different rule.
Worked example: two golfers, one ball
Two golfers have course handicaps of 8 and 15. The table shows how the team handicap is built.
| Step | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Course handicaps | 8 and 15 | 23 |
| Half of the total | 23 x 50% | 11.5 |
| Rounded once, a half rounds up | 11.5 | 12 |
| Team handicap | 12 |
The team plays to a handicap of 12. If they shoot 80 gross over 18 holes, the net score is 68. The 12 strokes fall on the 12 hardest holes by stroke index, which matters if the event also plays hole-by-hole contests.
When to use alternate shot
- Member-guest and partner events.
- A league night where you want a fast round and a team contest.
- A way for two golfers of different ability to compete on equal terms.
- As a Ryder Cup style session in a team event.
Common disputes and how to settle them
Write these answers into your league rules before the season. Most arguments on league night come from a rule nobody wrote down.
- Who tees off on which holes?
- The partners choose before the round. One tees off on the odd holes, the other on the even holes. The order stands for the whole round.
- Whose turn is it after a penalty?
- The same partner who was due to play. A penalty stroke is added to the score but does not change the order.
- A partner played out of turn. What now?
- Apply the penalty set in the Rules of Golf or your local rule, and carry on in the correct order. Settle it with the committee before the round if you are not sure.
- What handicap do we use for a mixed team?
- Use each golfer’s course handicap from the tees they play. Add them and halve. If the tees differ, convert each handicap to the tees used by the team.
Questions
What is the difference between alternate shot and a scramble?
In alternate shot the team plays one ball and the partners take turns. In a scramble, every golfer hits each shot and the team picks the best one.
What is the difference between alternate shot and foursomes?
Nothing. Foursomes and alternate shot are the same format. In the United States it is often called alternate shot, and Scotch foursomes is another name.
How do you calculate an alternate shot handicap?
Add the two course handicaps, take 50%, and round once. A half rounds up, so 11.5 becomes 12.
Is alternate shot a good league format?
It works well for special events. For weekly play, it asks a lot of partners and can slow the round.
How is a net score worked out?
Team gross minus the team handicap. The strokes land on the hardest holes by stroke index for any hole prizes.
Run this format in your league
Gimme works out alternate shot team handicaps and scores the teams. Your first 3 league rounds are free, no card.