Golf rules from Fred reference Foursome /Greensome matches format

I am somewhat surprised today that foursomes matches are being played incorrectly, consequently loss of hole omitted on the score sheet.

Foursomes, is played with partners playing alternately from the teeing grounds and alternately during the play of each hole.

If a player plays when his partner should have played, his side loses the hole in matchplay or the side incurs a two shot penalty in strokeplay.

Note that penalty strokes do not change the order of play.

example; player “A” accidently moves his ball at address he incurs one penalty stroke but it is still his turn to play, as in the case of a player “A” playing the wrong ball, the side incur a two shot penalty but it remains with the player “A” to play next.

 

So we come to the main discussion, Who Plays the Provisional Ball?

If player “A” plays a ball which may be lost or out of bounds Player “B” shall play the provisional ball.

In the case of a tee-shot, if player “B” is a Lady, she plays the provisional ball from the men's Tee

If “A” incorrectly plays the provisional ball the result depends upon the status of the first ball.

If the first ball is found in play the provisional ball is discounted therefore no penalty for the side, however if the first ball is lost or out of bounds the provisional ball is in play with the consequence the side lost the hole in matchplay or incurred a two shot penalty in stroke play.

 

Greensome is a variation of the Foursome the difference being that at each tee both players Drive off and the most suitable result chosen. The partner plays the chosen ball which is then played alternately, the hole being played out as a foursome.