Within the Rules of Golf in respect of match play a Four-Ball is defined as a match in which two players play their better ball against the better ball of two other players. In respect of stroke play it is defined as a competition in which two competitors play as partners.

In a 4BBB tournament, golfers tee off in groups of four, and each golfer plays his own ball throughout. So there are four golf balls in play on each hole, but only one ball (the better ball, or low ball) counts per team per hole.

As an amateur golfer, you may not play for prize money (i.e., cash) in a competition. However, you may participate in informal gambling or wagering when it is incidental to the game and it is not an organized cash game.

Four Ball Better-Ball (4BBB) – Four Ball is a match between two teams of two players (a total of four balls being played, hence the name) against each other using better-ball scoring.

In a “Scramble” format the players or designated team captain decide after each shot which one the best shot is. Each player on the team plays their next shot from that spot; within one club length no closer to the hole. In a “Best Ball” format, each player plays their own ball throughout each hole.

A 6 6 6 tournament is a special type of event that is typically only played in casual games and tournaments held by golf clubs for members. It is special because the format of the event changes every six holes, making three changes per round.

Best Ball/Four Ball is a competition where two golfers play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole (so pick a good partner!).

Four-Ball Match Play (Rule 30) is a match in which two players play their better ball (lowest score on the hole) against the better ball of two other players. The name first appeared in the 1908 R&A’s Rule Book, and came from the fact that there were four balls in play at one time in a match, thus the name Four-Ball.

To win a scramble, you are going to need to make every putt that you should make and a few that you shouldn’t. The next player you are looking for is someone with the ability to consistently hit the ball in the fairway. He or she doesn’t have to be long, only accurate. This frees up your power hitter.

Scramble If there’s a common theme among all these things, it’s that holes in one need to be registered in legitimate, law-abiding rounds that the USGA would approve of counting toward your handicap. A scramble, fun as they are, doesn’t fit that criteria.

Calculating Handicaps in a 2-Person Scramble

1. First, both golfers on a team determine their course handicaps.
2. Then take 35-percent of Golfer A’s course handicap;
3. and add it to 15-percent of Golfer B’s course handicap.