Question About Golfing Format in UK

[Smithj36]

I will be going to London in June and I have already contacted the Walton Heath Golf Club about playing there. They gave me a few times available for the Old course and they use the term 4 ball or 2 ball. Does this mean that you play in either a group of 4 or 2 but you play our own ball? I wasn't sure if this might mean each person in group hits and then from there everyone plays the best shot (like a scramble format used in the US)

 

Thanks

[davep043]

Others are probably more knowledgeable, but I believe they use the term fourball to indicate a group of four players, each playing his own ball. This differentiates it from foursome match play, which is more commonly called alternate shot, four players, but playing only two balls. Its my understand that foursome match play is much more common in the UK than it is in the US. I really doubt that they would mean anything similar to a scramble.

 

I'd recommend that you communicate to them to be sure you understand exactly their meaning.

[North Butte]

Fourball is four golfers with four balls in play.

 

Twoball is either two or four golfers with just two balls in play. Either two golfers playing a singles game or four playing alternate shot.

 

On a twoball day The members playing behind you will expect you to finish in under three hours. On the fourthball days the members stay home and let you do whatever the hell you please ;-)

[raynorfan1]

I will be going to London in June and I have already contacted the Walton Heath Golf Club about playing there. They gave me a few times available for the Old course and they use the term 4 ball or 2 ball. Does this mean that you play in either a group of 4 or 2 but you play our own ball? I wasn't sure if this might mean each person in group hits and then from there everyone plays the best shot (like a scramble format used in the US)

 

Thanks

 

Most likely if they're offering you a "two ball" time, it's to pair you up with another two ball to make a four ball.

[duffer987]

This is common at UK clubs - heck some are even only 2 ball courses.

2 ball means you can have a teetime for a twosome playing their own ball or have a foursomes match (alternate shot the more usual term in North America)

4 ball means a typical group of four players, all playing their own ball.

 

Edit - we really all need to find something better to do ;)

[Smithj36]

thanks for the feedback, I will verify with the club as well.