Four-ball is a pairs playing format in the game of golf. It is also known as better ball^[1] or best ball. It is also sometimes abbreviated as 4BBB.

In a stroke play competition, competitors are paired and play as a team. Each golfer plays their own ball; the team's score on each hole is the lower of the two players' scores. Only one of a pair is required to complete each hole. The winners are the team with the lowest aggregate score over a set number of holes.^[2][3] Since 2017 this format, along with foursomes, has been used by the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour.^[4]

In a match play competition, a four-ball consists of two teams of two players competing directly against each other. All four golfers play their own balls throughout the round (rather than alternating shots); each hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score.^[2][3] This form of golf is commonly played in team golf competitions such as the Ryder Cup,^[5] Solheim Cup, and Presidents Cup.

See also

• Foursomes
• Celebrity Bowling (adapted the best-ball format for bowling)

References