Ryder Cup Format Explained – What Are Foursomes, Four-balls and Singles Matches?

The biggest golf team game on the planet is almost upon us again as the best USA and European hitters line-up at Bethpage Golf Course in New York. But just what is the Ryder Cup format and how are the points won over the three days. 

We explain all below – including the rules for the foursome, four-ball and singles formats.

Ryder Cup Format 2025 Explained 🏆

Most of the time golf is played as an individual sport – with players only able to lean on their caddies for advice during a tournament.

So, when it comes to the Ryder Cup, the best golfers in the world need to change their mentality – and get into ‘team mode’ for most of the event.

This is because four of the five Ryder Cup sessions are team-based formats, with only the final day singles reverting back to playing on your own in a Matchplay style.

These team games are called foursomes and four-balls – where players are paired up in a two-man team to take on their opponents.

But just what are foursomes and four-balls when it comes to the Ryder Cup format?

We explain below – but, first-up, here is the schedule for the three days – with the USA (home team) confirming this format for 2025.

Friday 26th September 2025 – DAY ONE

• Morning: Foursomes (4 Matches)
• Afternoon: Four-balls (4 Matches)

Saturday 27th September 2025 – DAY TWO 

• Morning: Foursomes (4 Matches)
• Afternoon: Four-balls (4 Matches)

Sunday 28th September 2025 – DAY THREE

• Afternoon: Singles (12 Matches)

Maybe the US team, who are favourites with the golf betting sites, are looking at history when confirming this year’s Ryder Cup format.

As this set-up has seen the US record a 9-3-1 record when both Friday and Saturday have started with the foursomes.

Ryder Cup 2025 Dates and Event Info ⛳

• 🏌️  Event: 2025 Ryder Cup
• 📅  Date: Fri 26 Sept – Sun 28 Sept
• 🕛  Opening Tee Time: Approx. 1.00pm BST
• 🏆  Defending Champions: Europe
• 📺  TV Channel: Sky Sports
• ⛳️  Venue: Bethpage Black Course | Farmingdale, New York, USA
• 🎲  Odds: Europe 6/5 | USA 4/6

Ryder Cup Foursome Format Explained ⛳

The foursome format at the Ryder Cup will see two teams of two players go head-to-head.

Players from each team will play ALTERNATE shots – with one player teeing off on the odd number holes and the other on the even.

Once a player tees-off, his playing partner will then play the next shot – and so on alternating shots until the ball is holed.

The team with the lowest score on each hole will win that hole – while if both sides get the same score, it’s halved.

Captains for each side will pair up players and then a drawn is made to see who they will face.

There will be FOUR foursome matches on both mornings of the 2025 Ryder Cup – meaning each team will use eight of their 12-man squad here.

Looking at the Rory McIlroy Ryder Cup record, the foursomes have been his biggest points winner too, with seven wins and 7 1/2 points won.

Ryder Cup Four-ball Format Explained ⛳

The Ryder Cup four-ball format at the Ryder Cup again sees two teams of two players lock horns.

But this time, each player in the match will tee-off and then play their own ball.

Then the player (or players) with the lowest score on each hole will either win that hole for their team or halve it.

Play moves on over the 18 holes – until a team has more points than there are holes left for the other side to reel them back in.

Again, like the foursomes, captains for each side will pair up players and then a drawn is made to see who they will play.

There will be FOUR four-ball matches on both afternoons of the 2025 Ryder Cup – meaning each team will use eight of their 12-man squad here.

Ryder Cup Singles Format Explained ⛳

The final day at the Ryder Cup is always ‘Singles Day’ where ALL 12 players from each team will be in action.

These 12 players will be drawn against a player from the other team – meaning ALL 24 Ryder Cup players will be on the course for the singles Ryder Cup format.

Unlike the opening two days, where it’s more ‘team focused’ – the Ryder Cup singles is back to more traditional golf, but in Matchplay.

There will be 12 games and, therefore 12 points on offer here, with the player with the lowest score in their Matchplay head-to-head winning that hole.

If both players get the same score on a hole – it’s halved.

They will play over 18 holes – or when a player has more points than there are holes left.

Ryder Cup Scoring – How Does It Work? 📝

So, we now know how the Ryder Cup format will pan out over the three days – but just how does the scoring work?

It’s simple really.

Each match over the event is worth ONE POINT.

If a match finishes in a tie – then each team will get 1/2 a POINT each.

Over the five Ryder Cup formats there are a total of 28 points on offer (8 foursomes, 8 four-balls, 12 singles).

So, all this means it will be the first team to get to the magic 14.5 POINTS in order to win the Ryder Cup.

If both teams end up with 14 points – the Ryder Cup is a tie and the current holders will retain it if this happens.

The last Ryder Cup tie was in 1989 at The Belfry (GB), but as the current holders, the European team retained the title.

Ryder Cup Format History – How Things Have Changed Over The Years 📜

The current Ryder Cup 2025 format has been in place since 1979 – but it was slightly different before that.

Back in 1927, the first Ryder Cup – there were only 12 total points on offer, with four 36-hole foursomes and eight 36-hole singles.

And also held over just two days and not the current three

This format was in place between 1927 and 1959.

You can see below how the Ryder Cup formats have changed over the years here.

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