Four-Ball: the better partner score
The R&A / USGA · 2023Each partner plays a ball, and the lower valid score counts for the side.
Separate balls, shared result
Partners each play their own ball. The side uses the lower valid hole score; only one partner needs to finish. In stroke play, record scores on a shared card and clearly identify the player responsible for each score, or the side risks disqualification. A side can be represented by one partner. An absent partner may join only between holes, under the format’s starting restrictions.
Order, assistance and penalties
Partners choose their playing order when it is the side’s turn and may give permitted assistance. They may share clubs only if their combined total is no more than 14. A penalty normally affects only the offending player, but exceptions include club-limit breaches, helping a partner through a breach, or harming opponents in match play. Some disqualification breaches affect the whole side. Standing behind a partner’s line to gain information is prohibited.
Sources & approach ↗