Foursomes is a golf format that involves four players split into teams of two, and the members of each team take alternate shots with one ball. This format is also known as "alternate shot". In major tournaments, partners are generally allowed to share clubs during foursome games, as long as a teams total club count does not exceed 14. Foursomes can be played in both match play and stroke play. In match play, each hole is won by the team that completes it in the fewest shots. In stroke play, the winners are the team who have taken the fewest strokes to complete a set number of holes. Foursomes is often played in team golf competitions such as the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and the Presidents Cup. The term "foursomes" was coined early by Scottish golfers who played in groups of four long before golf grew popular in America.