Rule 22 of Golf Explained: Foursomes (Alternate Shot) and How Partners Take Turns
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How we wrote this: A plain-English summary of Rule 22 of the Rules of Golf as published by The R&A (the same Rules the USGA publishes), checked October 29, 2026. Read the official Rule text for every detail.
What Foursomes is (Rule 22.1)
In Foursomes, also called Alternate Shot, two partners play as a side, using one ball and taking turns. It can be played in match play or stroke play. The side is treated like a single player under Rules 1–20.
Threesomes is a match play variation: one player plays against a side of two partners who take alternate shots.
Acting for the side (Rule 22.2)
- Either partner may act for the side before a stroke, for example marking, lifting, replacing, dropping or placing the ball, whoever is due to play next.
- Each partner, and their caddie, may help the other in any way the other's caddie may help, such as giving advice. They may not give help that a caddie isn't allowed to give.
- Any action or breach by either partner or either caddie applies to the side.
- In stroke play, one partner may certify the scorecard.
Taking turns (Rule 22.3)
- The partners alternate who tees off on each hole.
- After the tee shot, they alternate strokes for the rest of the hole.
- If a stroke is cancelled, replayed or doesn't count, the same partner plays again.
- A provisional ball is played by the partner whose turn it is next.
- Penalty strokes don't change the order.
Playing in the wrong order gets the general penalty. In stroke play the side must correct it: the right partner plays from where the wrong-order stroke was made, and the wrong strokes don't count. If the side doesn't correct it before teeing off on the next hole, or before returning the scorecard after the last hole, it's disqualified.
Starting the round (Rule 22.4)
- The side chooses who plays first from the first tee, unless the Terms of the Competition decide.
- That partner must be ready at the starting time. The other must be at the starting point, or on the hole near where the tee shot is expected to finish.
Partners may also share clubs, as long as they have no more than 14 between them (Rule 22.5).
Standing behind your partner (Rule 22.6)
You must not stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball while your partner makes a stroke. The penalty is the general penalty.
Related: Four-Ball, team competitions, starting times and pace of play, advice and caddies.