Patsome Golf Format: The Rules of 3 Formats in 18 Holes
Patsome brings three formats to life in the same game: Better Ball on holes 1 to 6, Greensome on 7 to 12, Foursome on 13 to 18. With 4 players, in two teams of 2, the format changes automatically depending on the hole being played — the concentration, however, never drops. On the first six holes, everyone plays their own ball and the team's best score counts, a freedom that forgives wayward shots. On the next six, both partners tee off, the team keeps the better ball, then the shots alternate. On the last six, there is just one ball per team, in strict alternation from the tee to the hole: that is where it is all really decided. Every hole won earns 1 point, a tie earns nothing, and the team with the most points wins. A rich format that needs careful scoring — the app announces the active phase on every hole by itself.
How to play Patsome, hole by hole
- Form 2 teams of 2 players — 3 phases follow on automatically, depending on the hole.
- Holes 1–6 — Better Ball: each player plays their own ball, the team's best score is kept.
- Holes 7–12 — Greensome: both players tee off, the better tee shot is selected, then the shots alternate.
- Holes 13–18 — Foursome: one ball per team, strict alternate shot (one player tees off on the odd holes, the other on the even ones).
- On every hole: the team with the better score wins 1 point. A tie = 0 points. The most points wins the game.
Anaïs and Bilal against Coline and Diego. Better Ball (holes 1–6): Anaïs and Bilal lead 3 holes to 2, one halved. Greensome (7–12): Coline and Diego hit back 3 to 2, one halved. Foursome (13–18): their well-oiled alternation makes it 3 to 2 again, one halved. Total: Coline and Diego 8 points, Anaïs and Bilal 7 points (and 3 holes halved) — the match turned round in the last two phases.
The 3 phases of Patsome
| Holes | Format | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | Better Ball | Everyone plays their own ball, the team's best counts |
| 7–12 | Greensome | 2 tee shots, the better one kept, then alternate shot |
| 13–18 | Foursome | A single ball, strict alternation from the tee to the hole |
Over 9 holes, the phases are squeezed: Better Ball on holes 1 to 3, Greensome on 4 to 6, Foursome on 7 to 9.
Why we love it
One game, three moods: the freedom of Better Ball, the teamwork of Greensome, the demands of Foursome. The further you go, the more coordination counts — the Foursome finish turns many a match on its head.
Strategy tip
Build your team with the finish in mind: Better Ball forgives everything, Foursome nothing. Keep a clear head for holes 13–18 — and decide early who will tee off on the odd holes: that is where a steady player off the tee is worth their weight in gold.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 3 phases of Patsome, and on which holes?
Holes 1 to 6: Better Ball, everyone plays their own ball and the team's best score counts. Holes 7 to 12: Greensome, both partners tee off, the better ball is kept, then the shots alternate. Holes 13 to 18: Foursome, one ball per team in strict alternation from the tee to the hole.
How are points scored in Patsome?
1 point per hole won, whichever phase you are in. If the two teams tie on a hole, no point is awarded. The team with the most points after 18 holes wins the game.
What happens if a hole is tied?
The point for the hole goes to nobody: both teams start afresh on the next hole, with nothing carried over. Unlike Skins, there is no carry over in Patsome.
How do you play Patsome over 9 holes?
The three phases are squeezed into the 9 holes: Better Ball on holes 1 to 3, Greensome on 4 to 6, Foursome on 7 to 9. The principle stays the same; only the length of each phase changes.
Every format on a single page: step-by-step rules, a worked example, the points scale and a strategy tip — to read the night before a round or to print. The free sample covers 10 formats, including the 5 you can play for free in the app; Patsome is in the complete guide.
Download the free sample →PDF · 14 pages · direct download, no email needed · the complete guide covers all 41 formats
Your next Patsome without forgetting the format
In the Game of Swing app, the active format is shown automatically on every hole — phase changes announced, tee shots indicated, points counted live. Patsome is waiting in the catalogue of 41 formats — with 5 free games to get you started.
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