four-ball match

[ fawr-bawl, -bawl, fawr- ]

noun

, Golf.

1. a match, scored by holes, between two pairs of players, in which the four players tee off and the partners alternate in hitting the pair's ball having the better lie off the tee.

Word History and Origins

Origin of four-ball match¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

He and Scheffler combined to win their four-ball match Saturday, and on Sunday DeChambeau beat Sergio Garcia to put the U.S. to within a half-point of victory.

From Los Angeles Times

Chris Couch, who once lost a four-ball match against Woods in the Canon Cup, has plenty of respect for his younger counterpart.

From Golf Digest

In 2016, during the Ryder Cup matches at Hazeltine, Rory McIlroy had a spectator thrown out during a four-ball match on Saturday afternoon.

From Golf Digest

The last of those, by Tony Finau in the final four-ball match Saturday morning, kept the U.S. within four points going into their favorite format – foursomes, where the Yanks own a monstrous 50 ½ to 20 ½ advantage throughout the history of the event.

From Golf Digest

His point put America ahead for the first time since a 1-0 lead on Thursday with Woods and Thomas winning the opening four-ball match.

From Golf Digest