It's the week of the 2023 Ryder Cup, and for those of you looking to get into the biggest and most hyped up tournament in golf, knowing the difference between four-ball and foursomes is key.
There are two sessions for each format during the Ryder Cup, with one of each on Friday and Saturday.
The 2023 edition of the tournament will begin with a foursomes session on Friday morning, followed by a four-ball session in the afternoon, with the same schedule on Saturday, before the singles format on Sunday.
It is also important to note that the Ryder Cup is a matchplay tournament, rather than the regular stroke play that is used in most events.
This means that a golfer, or golfers, will go one up if they win a hole, regardless of the difference in the net score between the players/teams.
It also means that finishing out a hole is not a requirement, and players may also give putts to their opponents.
25 September 2023 ; USA captain Zach Johnson, left, and Europe captain Luke Donald pose with the Ryder Cup during a press conference before the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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Foursomes & Four-Ball
Foursomes - it is often referred to as alternate shot in the United States - is a format played between two teams of two, with only one ball used by each team.
The teams will alternate which golfer tees off, with one teeing off on the odd numbered holes, and the other teeing off on the even ones.
They will then alternate each shot until the hole is complete.
Four-ball is aptly named due to the fact that there are four golf balls in play, with each player teeing off and using their own ball.
The golfer with the best score from either side wins the hole.
As with foursomes and singles, a hole is tied if the best score from both teams/golfers is the same.
2023 Ryder Cup
Normally, when Europe has hosted the Ryder Cup, it has begun with a four-ball session, however captain Luke Donald has explained why they have changed it up this year.
"Pretty simple really. We feel like as a team, statistically we are stronger in foursomes within our team than we would be in four-balls. Why not get off to a fast start? That’s it."
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