How do you play pairs in golf?

Answer 1

There are a few options. You can play fourball, combined scores, that is two teams of two, each play out the hole, you add the team totals together, whoever has the lowest combined score wins the hole.

You can do fourball betterball, this is two teams of two, each player plays out the hole and the lowest score in each team wins the hole.

You can do greensomes, this is where both players hit a tee shot on each hole, then they selected the best drive and play out the hole in an alternate shot format. (Whoever's drive is selected has to let their playing partner hit the next shot)

You can also do foursomes which is similar to greensomes, although one player from each team hits a tee shot and then their partner hit the next.

You may have to give shots if the handicaps vary, this may be decided by yourselves or the rules of the competition may state them. The most common is either full difference or 3/4 difference.