Understanding Golf Formats: What Is Better Ball?

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Quick Answer

• Better Ball is a two-player team format where each golfer plays their own ball.
• The team score for each hole is the lower of the two individual scores.
• It’s a fantastic way to enjoy competitive golf with a partner, sharing the highs and lows.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who want to add a team dynamic to their game and enjoy playing with a friend or partner.
• Players looking for a format that fosters strategy and communication, offering a different challenge than traditional stroke play.

What to Check First for Better Ball Golf

• Team Composition: Confirm it’s a two-person team format. This is the bedrock of Better Ball.
• Scoring Mechanism: Absolutely verify that the lowest individual score on each hole is the team’s score for that hole. No ifs, ands, or buts.
• Handicap Application: If handicaps are in play, get the exact details on how they’re applied. This is crucial for fair competition.
• Specific Event Rules: Always a good idea to check if there are any unique local rules or variations for the particular Better Ball event you’re playing in. Don’t assume anything.

Step-by-Step Plan for Better Ball Golf

1. Pick Your Partner Wisely: This is more than just grabbing a buddy. You need someone you can strategize with and who has a decent attitude when things go south.

• What to look for: Someone whose game complements yours. Maybe you’re great off the tee, and they’re lights out with the putter. Or maybe you just have a good vibe together. I’ve played with folks where the conversation was drier than a desert tee box.
• Mistake to avoid: Partnering with someone whose game is wildly different without a plan to manage it, or worse, someone you can’t stand to be around for four hours. That’s a recipe for a long day.

2. Master the Scoring: This is the heart of Better Ball. Each player hits their own ball from tee to green. The team score for that hole is simply the better of the two scores posted.

• What to look for: That lower number. If you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, your team score for the hole is a 4. Simple, right?
• Mistake to avoid: Confusing this with a Scramble. In a Scramble, you’re all hitting the same ball. Here, you’re playing your own ball, and the best one counts. Big difference.

3. Tee Shot Strategy is Key: Before you even step up to the tee, have a quick chat. Who’s hitting first? What’s the play?

• What to look for: Consider the hole’s hazards, wind conditions, and each player’s comfort level with their driver or fairway wood on that specific shot. Maybe one of you hits a reliable fade, and the hole demands it.
• Mistake to avoid: Both players deciding to “go for it” on a tight hole with trouble on both sides. Sometimes, a safe fairway finder is the smartest play, even if it’s not the longest club. I learned that the hard way.

4. Approach Shot Tactics: Once the tee shots are downrange, it’s time to think about the next shot. Do you both go for the pin, or does one player play it safe?

• What to look for: A plan that maximizes your chances of scoring well. If the pin is tucked and risky, maybe one player aims for the center of the green while the other takes a more aggressive line.
• Mistake to avoid: Both players firing at the same aggressive pin location. If one misses, you might both be in trouble. Having a backup plan is smart golf.

5. Green Reading and Putting: When you get on the green, communication is still vital. Who has the better read on the putt? Who’s feeling confident?

• What to look for: A clear decision on who is taking the putt, especially if it’s for a birdie or a crucial par save. Sometimes, it’s about who’s “on” that day.
• Mistake to avoid: One player assuming the other will make it and not giving their own putt the full attention it deserves. Even if your partner makes it, you still need to focus on your own game.

6. Post-Shot Analysis (Briefly): Even after your ball is holed out, and your score is recorded for the hole, take a moment to see what your partner did.

• What to look for: Understanding their shot shape, how the ball reacted, and any lessons learned. This is how you improve as a team.
• Mistake to avoid: Just walking off the green without a second thought. You might miss valuable insights that could help on the next hole.

Common Mistakes in Better Ball Golf

• Confusing with Scramble — This is a biggie. Playing the wrong ball or thinking you get to pick the best shot after each hit leads to incorrect play and scoring. — Clarify the rules before you start: each player plays their own ball from tee to green.
• Lack of Communication — Not talking through shots, risks, or green reads leads to uncoordinated strategy and missed opportunities. You might end up both laying up when one could have gone for it, or vice-versa. — Regularly discuss your approach, the risks involved, and your partner’s read on the green before each shot.
• Playing Too Aggressively on Every Hole — While you want to score well, trying to force birdies on every single hole can lead to bogeys or worse, which drags the team score down. — Balance aggressive shots with safe, smart play when the situation calls for it. Know when to hit for glory and when to play for par.
• Ignoring Your Partner’s Ball — Even if you’ve made your score for the hole, paying attention to your partner’s shot and lie can provide valuable information for future holes or help you offer advice. — Watch your partner’s shots, understand their ball’s position, and even listen to their assessment of the lie. It’s a team effort, remember?
• Over-Reliance on Handicaps (If Used) — If handicaps are in play, it’s easy to think you’re automatically ahead or behind. This can lead to complacency or unnecessary pressure. — Understand exactly how the handicaps are being applied (e.g., full handicaps, a percentage) and focus on playing each hole to its best potential, regardless of the stroke adjustments.

FAQ

• What is the primary difference between Better Ball and Foursomes?

In Better Ball, each player plays their own ball throughout the hole, and the lower score counts for the team. In Foursomes (also called Alternate Shot), partners alternate hitting the same ball, taking turns from the tee box and fairway. It’s a much different strategic and execution challenge.

• How are handicaps typically applied in Better Ball?

Most commonly, handicaps are applied to the individual scores of each player on each hole. Then, the lower of those two handicap-adjusted scores is used as the team score for that hole. However, always check the specific rules for your competition, as variations exist.

• Can you play Better Ball with more than two players per team?

The standard and classic definition of Better Ball is strictly for two players per team. While you could theoretically adapt the scoring for larger teams, it wouldn’t be considered “Better Ball” in the traditional sense and would likely be called something else.

• What happens if both players score the same on a hole in Better Ball?

If both players on the team achieve the exact same score on a hole, that score simply counts as the team’s score for that hole. It’s a solid outcome for the team!

• Is Better Ball a good format for beginners?

Absolutely. Better Ball is an excellent format for beginners. It allows them to focus on their own game and learn the course without the intense pressure of individual stroke play. They can also benefit immensely from playing alongside a more experienced partner, learning strategy and course management in a supportive team environment.

• How does Better Ball scoring work on holes where one player makes par and the other makes bogey?

If one player makes par (say, a 4) and the other makes bogey (a 5), the team score for that hole is the lower score, which is the par 4. The bogey 5 doesn’t factor into the team’s score for that hole.

• Does the team continue playing a hole if one player has already made a score that guarantees the team score?

Generally, yes. Even if one player has made a birdie and the other player has made a par, the team score is the birdie. However, the second player should still finish the hole. This is important for practice, learning the course, and in case of any unforeseen penalties or disqualifications that might affect the recorded score. Plus, you never know when that extra stroke might matter for a scorecard tiebreaker.