Handicap Allowance in Four-Ball Golf
What is four-ball better ball?
In four-ball better ball, two teams of two compete against each other. Each player plays their own ball throughout, and the better (lower) net score from each team counts on each hole. The team whose better ball is lower wins the hole (in match play) or that score is recorded (in strokeplay).
It's one of the most popular formats in club golf precisely because everyone plays their own game — there's no pressure of alternate shots, and even a weak hole from one player is covered by their partner.
Why the handicap allowance is less than 100%
In four-ball, you always have a partner's score in reserve. This makes the format inherently more forgiving than individual play — if you blow up on a hole, your partner's score can still win it. The handicap system compensates for this advantage by reducing the allowance:
| Format | R&A Recommended Allowance |
|---|---|
| Four-ball better ball (match play) | 90% of Course Handicap |
| Four-ball better ball (strokeplay) | 85% of Course Handicap |
The lower allowance in strokeplay reflects the fact that over 18 holes, the cumulative advantage of having a partner's score available is greater than in a single-hole match play context.
How to calculate your playing handicap in four-ball
Step 1: Convert your Handicap Index to a Course Handicap using the course's Slope and Rating.
Step 2: Apply the format allowance.
Playing Handicap = Course Handicap × 0.85 (strokeplay) or × 0.90 (match play)
Round to the nearest whole number.
Example: Course Handicap 18, playing four-ball strokeplay: 18 × 0.85 = 15.3 → Playing Handicap: 15
Example: Course Handicap 22, playing four-ball match play: 22 × 0.90 = 19.8 → Playing Handicap: 20
Which holes do you receive shots on?
Your playing handicap shots are allocated hole by hole based on the Stroke Index (SI) on the scorecard. SI 1 is the hardest hole; SI 18 is the easiest.
With a playing handicap of 15, you receive one shot on the 15 holes ranked SI 1 through SI 15. On those holes, subtract 1 from your gross score to get your net score.
With a playing handicap of 20, you receive one shot on every hole plus a second shot on the 2 hardest holes (SI 1 and SI 2).
In match play four-ball, the shots are allocated the same way, but the lower-handicap player in the match is used as the base. The difference in handicaps between the two players determines who receives how many strokes. (If both players have the same handicap, no shots are exchanged.)
What if the two partners have very different handicaps?
The format works fine across handicap differences. The lower-handicap player will contribute on more holes (they score well more often); the higher-handicap player receives more shots and may win specific holes that the partner couldn't. Both contributions matter.
In match play four-ball, the team with the lower combined handicap will give strokes on specific holes to the opposing team. Check the local conditions for how the stroke allocation is managed across all four players.
Frequently asked questions
Does each player use their full handicap allowance, or is it a combined team number? Each player calculates their own individual playing handicap (Course Handicap × 85% or 90%) and receives their own shots on the specified holes. It's not a combined number.
Can my partner and I both get shots on the same hole? Yes — you each have your own shot allocation based on your individual playing handicaps. Both of you might receive a shot on the SI 1 hole if both playing handicaps are high enough.
What if there's a tie on a hole? In match play, a tie (halve) means neither team wins the hole. In strokeplay, both teams record their best ball score for that hole.
Does the allowance change if we play Stableford instead of stroke? The allowance remains the same (85% for strokeplay formats). Stableford is a strokeplay format so 85% applies, and the Stableford points are calculated from the net score after handicap strokes have been applied hole by hole.