Rule 23: Four-Ball

Each partner plays their own ball and the better score counts for the side.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2a · recall

When only one partner completes the hole, that partner's score is the side's.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2a · applied

With no score for the hole, the side loses it in match play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2a · applied

A stroke-play side with no score for a hole is disqualified unless it corrects in time.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2a; Rule 3.3c · applied

Best-Ball is a variation of Four-Ball in which an individual plays a side.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.1 · recall

Rule 11.2 does not apply here, and the player's ball does not count for the side.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2c · applied

The ordinary Rules for match and stroke play apply, with Rule 23's changes.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.1 · recall

A side needs at least one completed score.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2a · applied

The other partner does not need to hole out.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2a · applied

On D only partner 2 finished, with 6. A counts 4, B counts 5 and C counts 3.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2a · applied

The side's gross scores go on a single scorecard.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b(1) · recall

At least one gross score per hole, and entering both is allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b(1) · recall

There is no penalty for entering more than one partner's score.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b(1) · applied

Each score must be identified as the score of the partner who made it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b · applied

The Committee decides which score counts, including any handicaps.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b(2) · recall

With equal scores the Committee may use either, and switches if one proves wrong.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b(2) · applied

Only one partner needs to certify under Rule 3.3b(2).

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b(1) · applied

The side enters and certifies, the Committee decides what counts.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b · applied

The lowest gross or net score counts.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b(2) · applied

D carries no partner's mark. A and B name one partner each, and C names both.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.2b · applied

One partner's stroke to start the first hole starts the side's round.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.3a · recall

The other partner must hole out, choose not to, or be disqualified for the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.3c(2) · applied

It is not necessary for both partners to be present or to play every hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.4 · applied

An arriving partner starts only between holes, before the other partner starts one.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.4 · applied

They may still advise and help, and take actions for the other partner.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.4 · applied

A breach of Rule 23.4 carries the general penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.4 · recall

A hole is completed once its result is decided.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.3c(1) · applied

The arriving partner joins between holes.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.4 · applied

The round ends when the side completes the final hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.3b · applied

A is before anyone has started the 6th. At B an opponent has already teed off, and C and D are later still.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.4 · applied

A player may take any action concerning the partner's ball the partner could take.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.5a · applied

An action concerning the partner's ball is treated as the partner's own.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.5b · applied

Partners must not agree to leave a ball in place to help anyone.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.5a; Rule 15.3a · applied

When it is the side's turn, either partner may play next.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.6 · applied

Continuing after a concession to help the partner wipes out the partner's score for the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.6 · applied

A player and their caddie may help the partner in any way the partner's own caddie may.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.5a · applied

Rule 23.8 is about the player's own next stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.8 · applied

Yellow handles Blue's ball just as Blue could.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.5a · applied

Rules 23.5, 23.6, 23.7 and 23.8.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.5-23.8 · recall

When it is the side's turn, the partners choose who plays.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.6 · applied

Penalties other than disqualification normally apply only to the player.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9a(1) · applied

The player has no score for the side, but the partner continues.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9a(1) · applied

A breach that helps the partner's play applies to the partner too.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9a(2) · applied

A wrong ball is never treated as helping the partner or hurting an opponent.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9a(2) · applied

Rule 1.2 is on the list where one partner's disqualification takes the side with it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9b(1) · applied

This group of breaches disqualifies the side only if both partners breach at the same hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9b(2) · applied

In all other cases the player stays in, but that hole's score is lost for the side.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9b(3) · applied

Most penalties stay with the player; some reach the side.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9 · applied

In stroke play a 14-club breach also penalises the partner.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9a(2); Rule 4.1b · applied

A is the 14-club breach, which reaches the partner. B is a wrong ball, and C and D touch only the player's own ball.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 23.9a(2) · applied