10 Things All Golf Foursomes Partners Can Relate To!

That first practice round with your partner can be quite revealing as suddenly two becomes one and perceived compatibility sinks to hope from expectation. But this format of the game requires practice so don’t allow a false start to knock your confidence. With enough rounds under your belt you’ll soon be nicknamed the new Seve and José.

It may not be the birds and bees of awkward sit downs but the conversation that determine who tees off on the first can still be a touchy subject. Egos must be put aside as foursomes tactics are key to success. Study the course layout to ensure you both play to your individual strengths. It may be a case of the sound iron player securing par-3 honours and the boomer of the group taking care of the long par-5s.

Foursomes is notorious for weeding out the criminals in any golf club but don’t let a larger than life handicap effect your game plan. Mammoth combined numbers can be unsettling but partners in crime can be served justice if you guys just keep cool heads. The numbers may still fall in your favour.

We’ve all experienced the eccentric with a lairy pair of trousers stepping onto the first tee to cries of, ‘with pants like that, I hope you can play!’ As a dedicated starter for many years I can ensure you, they never can. Resist the urge to get bogged down in your opponents’ wardrobes and focus on getting your own head straight instead.

It may seem obvious but golfers will repeatedly ignore their own limitations if threatened by a longer hitter. In foursomes more than any format, this will prove fatal. Ignore the 24 handicapper hitting it 300 yards and play your own game. Hopefully they’re off 24 for a reason and will come unstuck closer to the green.

Golf is hard and although this is a team format, difficulty levels remain the same. If you have to apologise, do so before you start your match. In fact, you may as well get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness because mistakes are inevitable. Forget the errors and concentrate on putting them right. Your partner will be much more pleased if you do.

That is the question - and your pairing must agree on the answer. Foursomes is all about the details and determining when a putt should be conceded is a way into your opponent’s mind. Some choose to give everything until one really matters, hoping to catch a competitor cold. Others take the 'Any Given Sunday' approach and refuse to give an inch. They’ll either be wondering why you’re so generous or why you’re so frugal, but either way, they’ll be wondering.

When you have two for the win it’s quite simple, TAKE THEM! There’s nothing worse than watching your partner steam it five feet past the hole to leave you a Dennis Wise (a nasty five footer) for the win. When stress can be alleviated, take every necessary step.

The great matchplay competitors will often say their number one tip to success in this format is to always expect the worst. If your opponent has hit their ball into the car park, assume they're going to make the next one. It sounds ridiculous and often gets ignored but heeding this particular tip will ensure nothing surprises you other than your own play.

It may take numerous forays into the woods but when the penny finally drops that conservative play is the order of the day, my goodness what a difference it will make. Unlike the singles format of matchplay where you can be more aggressive, foursomes is all about minimising mistakes. Keep the ball in play between the pair of you for the round and you’ll have the match sewn up before ever seeing 18.