Finer points of playing foursome golf.......

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Break90

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I found out today I've been selected to play for my new club in a Cambridgeshire Golf comp called the Jock Stewart Memorial Trophy.

its a team event, three foursome matches, one in each of three handicap brackets (5-9, 10-14, 15-20.) played of scratch.

its the first time I've ever played foursomes, I know the format, but are there any hints and/or tips that you would suggest for this format?
 
Break90 said:
I found out today I've been selected to play for my new club in a Cambridgeshire Golf comp called the Jock Stewart Memorial Trophy.

its a team event, three foursome matches, one in each of three handicap brackets (5-9, 10-14, 15-20.) played of scratch.

its the first time I've ever played foursomes, I know the format, but are there any hints and/or tips that you would suggest for this format?
Click to expand...

Don't say sorry ! Neither partner should ever say sorry for a poor shot

Tie off on which ever holes you feel comfy with and just enjoy it
 
Study the course you're playing and work out whether the tee shots on the odds or evens will be better for which partner.
 
Find out what your partners favourite distance is for a shot to the green. Then if you have to play a lay up, you can give him/ her the best chance of hitting the green.

Discuss what ball to use before you get to the course.

Don't get wound up about poor shots- either yours or theirs.
 
As above, it's a very tactical game where you have to plan carefully.

Work out which of you is the stronger driver, iron player, putter etc then decide who takes odds and who takes evens. Things to consider are stuff like trouble right or left, who hooks and who slices etc so you can plan accordingly. Or maybe just tee off on the same holes as your equivalent handicap opponent? The higher handicapper might feel intimated when trying to follow a scratch player ripping one 300yds down the middle.

Enjoy the format, not everyone's cup of tea but I love scratch foursomes :thup:
 
drive4show said:
As above, it's a very tactical game where you have to plan carefully.

Work out which of you is the stronger driver, iron player, putter etc then decide who takes odds and who takes evens. Things to consider are stuff like trouble right or left, who hooks and who slices etc so you can plan accordingly. Or maybe just tee off on the same holes as your equivalent handicap opponent? The higher handicapper might feel intimated when trying to follow a scratch player ripping one 300yds down the middle.

Enjoy the format, not everyone's cup of tea but I love scratch foursomes :thup:
Click to expand...

After the first bad shot you hit say to your partner "thank god I don't have to hit the next one" - always gets a fine reaction
 
HomerJSimpson said:
I don't do foursomes. Not sure Hawkeye and I are cut out for it. I would send him to parts of the course he don't know about.
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Surely that is part of the fun of it. My partner hardly misses a fairway, but when he plays foursomes with me he gets to practice hacking out of thick rough, chipping under trees, and dropping out of ponds.:whistle:
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Don't say sorry ! Neither partner should ever say sorry for a poor shot

Tie off on which ever holes you feel comfy with and just enjoy it
Click to expand...

Not sure I agree with that actually. If I play an absolutely dog awful shot that puts my partner in the clag I'm going to apologise about it, but I'm not going to dwell on it. If my partner kept hitting it in the rubbish and never acknowledged he was having a shocker and causing me to always try and recover that would also start to annoy me a little.

I do however agree that apologies should be reserved for when you truly screw up!
 
I'd agree with the don't say sorry. You'd normally play with someone you know and like...so they will know your disappointed. As has been said, find out lay up yardages for par 5's and away you go. Keep chatting and enjoy it.

I've got to play foursomes next week in a 2-day pro am around Hunstanton. At the minute I am struggling to hit the ball...so fear not!
 
I'm generally not a fan of pairs golf. Might sound like a bit of a miserable bugger, but I hate feeling that I'm being carried or that my partner is useless!! Would rather be responsible for my own game.
 
woody69 said:
Not sure I agree with that actually. If I play an absolutely dog awful shot that puts my partner in the clag I'm going to apologise about it, but I'm not going to dwell on it. If my partner kept hitting it in the rubbish and never acknowledged he was having a shocker and causing me to always try and recover that would also start to annoy me a little.

I do however agree that apologies should be reserved for when you truly screw up!
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Love opponents who apologise - they're the ones who lose
 
davidy233 said:
Love opponents who apologise - they're the ones who lose
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I always apologise, and have won two foursomes board competitions in the last four years. I find it is the quality of the golf, rather than what I say that matters.

I would admit that the quality golf does tend to come from my partner.:)
 
richart said:
I always apologise, and have won two seniors mixed foursomes board competitions in the last four years. I find it is the quality of the golf, rather than what I say that matters.

I would admit that the quality golf does tend to come from my partner.:)
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Fixed for you Rich :thup:
 
Foursomes is my favourite game in golf. I'm fortunate to have been unbeaten in 5 yrs of foursomes at 2 different clubs, 2yrs at one then 3yrs at another. Secret is to find a partner who you Gell with, not only playing wise but know each other's game and to communicate when necessary and know when to keep quiet.

Theres nothing better then when it all comes together and you are both in sync with each other.
 
Dave1980 said:
Never say sorry, and enjoy playing from different parts of the course!
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Yep it's good seeing parts that you wouldn't normally see, I played one shot sat on a barbed wire fence as my mate hooked his tee shot :o He still reminds me every time we visit that course.

Played in a mixed foursomes last year and enjoyed it as we got to the 4th round and my partner kept apologising but we both had an agreement by the 9th hole, don't apologise or that's all we are going to end up saying to each other for the entire round :D
 
Be patient. You will hit it in the clag, as will your partner... don't get wound up by it. I love it, and greensomes.
 
Lincoln Quaker said:
Yep it's good seeing parts that you wouldn't normally see, I played one shot sat on a barbed wire fence as my mate hooked his tee shot :o He still reminds me every time we visit that course.

Played in a mixed foursomes last year and enjoyed it as we got to the 4th round and my partner kept apologising but we both had an agreement by the 9th hole, don't apologise or that's all we are going to end up saying to each other for the entire round :D
Click to expand...

A good job me and you didn't do it at Silloth, we'd still be on the back 9 now.;)
 
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