How the Canadian Foursomes Format Works
Canadian Foursomes is the name of golf competition format for 2-person teams. It boils down to this: Canadian Foursomes is a scramble off the tee, then alternate shot into the hole.
This format goes by many different names, the most-common of which is probably Greensomes. But in addition to Greensomes and Canadian Foursomes, you might find this format labeled as Modified Pinehurst or Scotch Foursomes, and all four of those names are common. This format falls into the (large) category of "modified foursomes" or "modified alternate shot" games.
Example of Canadian Foursomes Play
Two golfers form a team. We'll call them Golfer A and Golfer B. This is how they play each hole in Canadian Foursomes:- Both golfers on the team tee off.
- The resulting two drives are compared, and the better one selected. (This the "scramble" part of the format).
- The golfer whose drive was not selected picks up his own ball.
- Let's say Golfer A's drive was better, so Golfer B picks up his own ball, and then Golfer B plays the second stroke.
- From that point, it is alternate shot. Since Golfer B played the second stroke, Golfer A plays the third.
- They continue alternating strokes until the ball is holed.
Handicaps and Other Canadian Foursomes Considerations
Canadian Foursomes can be played as match play, stroke play, or stroke play using Stableford points. It can serve as a tournament format or as a betting format for any group of four golfers that wants to pair off into 2-vs.-2 teams.It can also be played using gross scores (actual strokes played) or net scores (strokes played minus any handicap strokes). There is no official, by rule, method of applying handicaps in Canadian Foursomes. But the most common methods are these:
- Take 60-percent of the handicap of better player and add it to 40-percent of the handicap of the weaker player.
- Or just add their handicaps together and use 40-percent.
More formats:
