What’s Fourball and Foursome in the Solheim Cup?

Published 09/22/2023, 2:15 AM EDT

The prestigious Solheim Cup is truly an event that is one of a kind. What makes this event more special than any regular LPGA Tour or LET event is the team spirit and patriotism that the Solheim Cup brings to the table. One other thing that sets apart the Solheim Cup from other events is its unique format.

One must wonder about the event’s format and think about what is it that makes the Solheim Cup unique, and groundbreaking! Well, the answer is Foursomes and Fourball matches that are played during the first two days of the tournament.

What is the format of Foursome matches played in the Solheim Cup?

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There are a total of 28 matches played in the Solheim Cup, wherein 8 foursomes and 8 fourball matches are played on Friday and Saturday. And, during the tournament’s final day, that is on Sunday, 12 singles are played.

A total of eight foursomes matches are played over the span of the first two days of the event during the morning session; Four matches on Friday and four matches on Saturday. Not all the 12 players compete in the foursome matches, and the team’s skipper decides which eight players from the 12 will be sent out to compete.

As the name suggests, foursomes is also known as the alternative shot. One player from one team will tee off the ball, and the player’s partner will take the next shot at the ball. The two alternative players hit the ball unless the ball is holed. Not only the ball, but the player also alternates the chances of teeing it off.

The lowest score between the teams for a particular hole wins that hole, and in case, the score is tied, the point is halved. Now, let us understand what is Fourball, the format of the other eight matches that are played on the same day as foursomes,

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What is a Fourball?

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Fourball is also known as a better ball. Fourball matches are played in the afternoon session during the first two days of the tournament. Just like foursomes, in fourball as well, only eight out of 12 players compete from each team.

But unlike alternate ball, every player has their own ball to play. A pair of golfers will play every hole, and the player who has scored the lowest will become that team’s score for that hole. The team that has scored the lowest of the two wins that hole, and similarly, if the score is tied, the point gets halved.

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Tune in to find out how things unfold at the 2023 Solheim Cup, and who takes the national pride, and glory home!

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Written by:

Riya Singhal is a promising golf writer at EssentiallySports. She was recently recruited in the latest round of ‘ES Draft’ as one of the young writers with a strong passion for golf writing. Despite being in her early days, Riya has already showcased exceptional talent in her coverage of the sport, with her article on Brooks Koepka's kind gesture towards a young fan after his Masters loss quickly rising to the top of the charts.

Edited by:

Sharan Nair

What’s Fourball and Foursome in the Solheim Cup?

What is the format of Foursome matches played in the Solheim Cup?

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What is a Fourball?