Why are there always FOUR people in a group for golf?

Question

Why not a Fivesome? Or just a Threesome? Maybe a Sixsome? Why is this? How did it come about? I mean, it sort of makes sense, but I am still curious how this got to be...

Answer 1

Who cares I just golf

Answer 2

Tradition has dictated the limit to a group playing golf to be four. Practicality has also had a hand in it, as often there are games set up where two are paired up against two. Those games include:

Better Ball - all players play the hole and best score for each team is registered

Alternate Shot - Where the members fo the team will switch off and hit until the hole is complete

Best Ball - Where team members hit their shot, then both play from the best location, etc.

Often, friendly (and sometimes not so friendly) wagers are placed on a hole by hole or whole game basis.

On professional tours, generally for the first two days, the players will play in threesomes, then for the last two days will be paired in twosomes with the people closest to them in the tournament standings. Due to weather or television considerations, there may be threesomes, but never foursomes.

Answer 3

There is not always four in a group. Most are four, some are three, and others are two.

More than four slows down play too much and is not allowed on most courses.

Answer 4

The reason for four players in a group is that you usually have two sides of two players each in your match.

Answer 5

I BELIVE IT CAME FROM THE FACT THAT GOLF WAS FIRST PLAYED AS MATCH PLAY NOT STROKE PLAY SO FOUR PEOPLE WOULD BE TWO MATCHES...

Answer 6

?????