A 4-ball in golf is a team format where two teams of two players each compete against each other. Each golfer plays their own ball, so there are four balls in play during each hole. The score for a team on each hole is the lowest score of the two players on that team. The team with the lowest score on a hole wins that hole. This format is commonly played as match play or stroke play and is popular in events like the Ryder Cup.

How Four-Ball Works

• Two players form a team, and each player plays their own ball throughout the round.
• On each hole, the team's score is the lower score of the two partners.
• The opposing team does the same.
• The team whose player has the lowest score on that hole wins the hole.
• Matches continue hole by hole, and the team with the most holes won overall is the winner.

Match Play and Stroke Play Variations

• In match play, the team that wins the most holes wins the match.
• In stroke play, the total score across all holes, using the better of the two scores on each hole, determines the winner.

Strategy and Rules

• Partners can share clubs and give each other advice.
• The order of play can be decided by the team.
• Only one player from the team needs to finish each hole for the score to count.
• Four-ball is also called "better ball" or "best ball" because the best score among the team counts per hole.

This format offers a mix of individual and team play and allows players to be aggressive, knowing their partner's score might save the hole if they have a bad shot.