what is a four ball in golf

In golf, a four ball is a format of play where two partners compete together as a team, with each of them playing their own ball throughout the entire round. The team score on each hole is the lower score of the two players on that hole. In a match play competition, a four-ball consists of two teams of two players competing directly against each other. All four golfers play their own balls throughout the round, and each hole is won by the team whose member has the lowest score. The format can also be used in stroke play competitions, where competitors are paired and play as a team, and the winners are the team with the lowest aggregate score over a set number of holes.