How this Ryder Cup rules change completely flipped a key format’s strategy

The Ryder Cup has always been about putting the team over the individual, and in the case of the foursomes format (alternate shot) it also means potentially switching golf balls to accommodate your partner — but not anymore.

Since 2006, the Ryder Cup (and Presidents Cup) changed the rules that stipulated that foursomes teams had to use one model of golf ball for the entire match. Instead they can now switch at the completion of every hole, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t strategy involved.

What is the foursomes format?

As a refresher, foursomes — a.k.a. alternate shot — is a 2-vs.-2 matchup in which each team plays one ball, alternating shots between the two players until the ball has been holed. If scores are tied, the hole is halved.

How golf balls are selected

When you consider just how dialed-in players are when it comes to their iron carry distances and trajectories, most pairings will elect to use the preferred ball of the player hitting the approach shot rather than the drive off the tee.

This is the easiest decision because thanks to modern launch-monitor technology and driver optimization, there isn’t a huge difference on total distance numbers off the tee to the point where any given ball will lose or gain a significant percentage.

Balls

“With three practice-round days and arguably a practice-round trip, there’s ways to get used to somebody else’s golf ball off the tee, and that’s really what it is,” said U.S. captain Zach Johnson, speaking to the media on Tuesday. “If we are playing together, I’m probably going to tee off with your golf ball more times than not so that we can have more control with your iron play or your wedge play or whatever it may be with your own golf ball. That’s kind of the unwritten rule.”

Although it could be a minor issue if a player misses a green on their approaching, meaning the other player would not be able to use their normal ball for some short-game shots. That said, these are the best players in the world, and they’re all using premium urethane-covered balls, so adjustments shouldn’t take too long.

Here’s a look at the balls used by each member from the U.S. and Europe.

Team USA

Sam Burns – Callaway Chrome Soft X

Patrick Cantlay – Titleist ProV1X

Wyndham Clark – Titleist ProV1X

Rickie Fowler – TaylorMade TP5X

Brian Harman – Titleist ProV1

Max Homa – Titleist ProV1

Brooks Koepka – Srixon Z-Star Diamond

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Collin Morikawa – TaylorMade TP5

Xander Schauffele – Callaway Chrome Soft X

Scottie Scheffler – Titleist ProV1

Jordan Spieth – Titleist ProV1X

Justin Thomas – Titleist ProV1X

Team Europe

Ludvig Aberg – Titleist ProV1X

Matt Fitzpatrick – Titleist ProV1X

Tommy Fleetwood – TaylorMade TP5X

Tyrrell Hatton – Titleist ProV1X

Nicolai Hojgaard – Callaway ChromeSoft X

Viktor Hovland – Titleist ProV1

Shane Lowry – Srixon Z-Star XV

Robert MacIntyre – TaylorMade TP5X

Rory McIlroy – TaylorMade TP5X

Jon Rahm – Callaway ChromeSoft X

Justin Rose – Titleist ProV1 Left Dot

Sepp Straka – Srixon Z-Star Diamond