Best ball scoring, explained

What is best ball?

Best ball is a team format where each player plays their own ball for the entire hole — no shared shots, no picking spots. On every hole, the team records the lowest (best) individual score of its members. It's a favorite for two-man and four-man competitions because every player contributes full swings and real scores.

How best ball scoring works

1. Every player tees off and plays their own ball to the hole.
2. On each hole, compare the team's individual scores.
3. Record the best (lowest) score as the team's score for that hole.
4. Add the best scores across all holes for the team total.

The player with the low score "carries" that hole for the team, but anyone can be the hero on any given hole.

A worked example

Two players on a par-4. Player A makes a par (4); Player B makes a bogey (5). The team's score on the hole is 4 — A's best. On the next par-3, B sticks one to 3 feet and makes birdie (2) while A takes a bogey (4): now B's 2 is the team score.

Best ball vs. scramble

In a scramble, the team plays every shot together and takes the best of each; in best ball, every player plays their own ball and only the best score on each hole counts toward the team total. Best ball rewards individual play inside a team structure, while a scramble rewards pure teamwork — so best ball suits stronger fields and scramble suits mixed or beginner fields. If your field leans casual, read how to score a golf scramble.