Greensome vs Foursomes vs Chapman: What's the Difference?
These formats have one thing in common: the team finishes the hole with a single ball, taking alternate shots. What changes is how you start. In Foursomes, only one player tees off. In Greensome, both do, and you keep the best tee shot. In Chapman, both do, then you swap balls for the second shot before choosing.
The table
| Format | The tee shot | After that |
|---|---|---|
| Foursomes | Just one player: A on the odd holes, B on the even holes | Alternate shot |
| Greensome | Both, the best tee shot is kept | Alternate shot from the chosen ball |
| Chapman | Both; the balls are swapped for the 2nd shot, then one is chosen | Alternate shot |
| Gruesomes | Both; the other team chooses the ball | Alternate shot |
| Patsome | Three formats in a row: best ball, then Greensome, then Foursomes | |
Foursomes, the most demanding
A single ball per team from tee to hole. Player A tees off on the odd holes, player B on the even holes, then the shots alternate. Every mistake is paid for by two. The rules of Foursomes
Greensome, the most accessible
Both players tee off, you keep the best tee shot, and the other player hits the second shot. One good drive is enough to get the hole going. The rules of Greensome
Chapman, the most strategic
Both players tee off, each hits the second shot with their partner's ball, then the team chooses the better of the two and alternates to the hole. The rules of Chapman
Gruesomes and Patsome, for a change
Gruesomes takes the Greensome, but your opponents choose your ball — always the worse one. Patsome strings three formats together in the same round: six holes of best ball, six of Greensome, six of Foursomes.
🃏 Mexicaine Las Vegas. In a four, the teams change on every hole: after the drive, the two balls furthest right team up against the two furthest left. Then the scores are read Vegas-style — a 4 and a 5 make 45, a 4 and a 7 make 47. A wayward drive can land you the best partner on the hole, and one big number costs the whole team dearly. The rules of Mexicaine Las Vegas →
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Greensome and Foursomes?
In Foursomes, only one player tees off, taking turns from one hole to the next. In Greensome, both players tee off and the team keeps the best tee shot. After that, in both cases, the shots alternate until the ball is in the hole.
How do you play Chapman?
Both players tee off, each hits the second shot with their partner's ball, then the team chooses the better of the two balls and takes alternate shots to the hole.
Which one-ball format is best for starting out?
Greensome: choosing the best tee shot takes the pressure off the tee, and the alternating is quick to learn. Foursomes, which is more demanding, comes next.
Alternate shot, scores without mistakes
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