In Ryder Cup four-ball , each of the four players plays their own ball for the entire hole, and only the best score from each two-man team counts for the result of that hole.

Quick Scoop: What Is Four-Ball in the Ryder Cup?

Four-ball (often called “fourballs” or “better ball”) is a team match-play format used on the first two days of the Ryder Cup.

You have two players on Team USA vs two on Team Europe, all four playing their own ball on every hole.

How the scoring works:

  • Each player completes the hole with their own ball.
  • You compare the two scores from each team.
  • The lower score from each side is that team’s “team score” for the hole.
  • The team with the lower team score wins the hole and goes “1 up.” If the best scores tie, the hole is halved.
  • It’s still match play, so the goal is to win more holes than the other team, not to shoot the lowest total 18-hole stroke score.

Mini example:

USA: Player A makes par, Player B makes birdie
Europe: Player C makes par, Player D makes par
USA’s best score is birdie, Europe’s best is par, so USA wins the hole and goes 1 up.

Key Features Of Four-Ball

  • Teams of two: Each Ryder Cup captain sends out four two-man pairings in a session, so eight players per team are used in each four-ball session.
  • Four balls in play: All four golfers always play their own ball, which is why it’s called “four-ball.”
  • Only one score counts: On each hole, only the best score from each pair is used to decide the hole.
  • Risk–reward tactics: One partner might attack flags aggressively while the other plays safely, knowing only the best score matters.

Four-Ball vs Foursomes (So You Don’t Mix Them Up)

Here’s a simple side‑by‑side look:

[1][10][3] [5][3] [7][5][3] [1][5][3] [3] [5][3]
Format Ball usage How shots are played What decides the hole
Four-ball Four balls in play (each player has their own ball).All four players play every shot with their own ball.Lowest individual score from each team is compared; lower one wins the hole, tied scores halve it.
Foursomes Two balls in play (one per team).Teammates alternate shots with the same ball, often alternating tee shots on odd/even holes.The team’s single score with that one ball is compared to the other team’s; lower score wins the hole.
Both formats are used on Friday and Saturday at the Ryder Cup, with singles matches on Sunday deciding the final outcome.

Why Fans Care About Four-Ball (2025–2026 Context)

Four-ball sessions often produce lots of birdies and big momentum swings, especially at high‑drama venues like Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Captains spend a lot of time choosing pairings that balance aggressive shot‑makers with steady, fairway‑finding players to maximize that “best ball” advantage.

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