Threesomes in Golf: Fun! (But Not Like That)
A Group of Three
If you show up to a golf course with two your buddies, and you tee off together as a group of three golfers playing the round, you are playing in a threesome. Golf courses prefer to send golfers off the first tee in groups of four. But threesomes are usually allowed, especially on slower days. On very busy days, some courses might try to add a golfer who showed up as a single to a threesome in order to create the preferred foursome.
Threesomes Competition Format
The format called Threesomes is one in which one golfer plays against two golfers. Its definition used to be included in the Official Rules of Golf as this: ""A match in which one player plays against two other players, and each side plays one ball."Let's say Golfers A, B and C are playing together and decide to play the Threesomes format. Their options are Golfer A vs. B&C; or Golfer B vs. A&C; or Golfer C vs. A&B. It's one against two.
But both sides — the single golfer and the two-person side — play only one ball. You know what that means: The two-person side is playing alternate shot. If it's Golfer A vs. B&C, then Golfer A plays his or her ball throughout, while Golfers B and C are playing alternate shot. (If Golfer B tees off, then C plays the second stroke, B the third, C the fourth, and so on.)
Threesomes no longer has its own entry in the Official Rules. But it is still mentioned in the rulebook: In Rule 22, which covers Foursomes (also known as alternate shot), the USGA and R&A call Threesomes a "variation of" foursomes. All the rules that apply during Foursomes matches, therefore, also apply during Threesomes matches.
The Threesomes format can be played as match play or stroke play.
More formats:
