What Is Best Ball In Golf?

Best ball is a golf format where players compete as a team while still playing their own golf ball from tee to green. After the hole is completed, the best score from the team is used as the team score for that hole.

For example, if a two-person team scores 4 and 5 on a hole, the team score is 4. In a four-person best ball event, the lowest score among the four players is counted.

Best ball is popular because it combines individual golf with team scoring. Every player plays their own round, but each team benefits when one player makes a good score.

How Best Ball Works

• Each player plays their own ball for the entire hole.
• Each player records an individual score.
• The lowest score from the team counts as the team score.
• The format can be played as 2-person, 3-person, or 4-person teams.
• Events may use gross scoring, net scoring, or both.

Unlike a scramble, players do not move their ball to the best shot location. Everyone plays their own ball, and the team score is selected after the hole is finished.

Best Ball Scoring Example

Here is a simple two-person best ball example.

• Hole 1: Player A scores 4. Player B scores 5. Team score is 4.
• Hole 2: Player A scores 6. Player B scores 4. Team score is 4.
• Hole 3: Player A scores 5. Player B scores 5. Team score is 5.

After three holes, the team score is 13.

In a four-person best ball event, the same idea applies, except the lowest score among all four players counts for the team.

Common Best Ball Options

Best ball can be used as a serious tournament format or as a fun team game for leagues, charity events, member events, and weekend groups.

• 2-person best ball
• 3-person best ball
• 4-person best ball
• Gross best ball
• Net best ball
• One best ball of the team
• Two best balls of the team
• Flighted best ball events
• Best ball with skins
• Best ball match play

Best Ball vs Scramble

Best ball and scramble are both team formats, but they are not the same. In a scramble, players choose the best shot and everyone plays from that selected location. In best ball, every player plays their own ball for the full hole.

Best ball keeps more individual golf involved, while scramble formats usually create a faster, more relaxed team experience.

Best Ball vs Better Ball

Best ball and better ball are often used to describe similar formats, especially in two-person team events. In many golf groups, “better ball” means the lower score of two partners counts on each hole.

The important thing is to define the rule clearly before the event begins: how many players are on each team, how many scores count, and whether the event is gross, net, or both.

Good For

• Men’s club tournaments
• Ladies league events
• Member-guest events
• Charity tournaments
• Two-person team games
• Four-person team competitions
• Club championship side formats
• League nights
• Golf trips

Best Ball FAQ

Does every player play their own ball?

Yes. In best ball, each player plays their own ball from tee to green.

How many scores count on each hole?

Usually one score counts per team, but some events count two best balls of the team.

Can best ball use handicaps?

Yes. Net best ball applies handicap strokes before determining the team's best score on each hole.

Is best ball the same as scramble?

No. In a scramble, everyone plays from the selected shot location. In best ball, each player plays their own ball for the entire hole.

Can best ball be played as match play?

Yes. Best ball match play is common in team events, member-guest tournaments, Ryder Cup-style competitions, and league formats.

Related Tournament Formats

• 2-Person Scramble
• 4-Person Scramble
• Skins Game
• Individual Stroke Play
• Weekly League Night
• Custom Formats