The game
Official Rules
4th & Fore is a competitive golf game that blends football scoring with golf strategy. Play it 1v1, 2v2, scramble — any format works. The game is played hole by hole with teams alternating between offense and defense.
01Overview
You still keep your normal golf score — that's how you determine the football points. It's just a fun way to add an extra layer of competition between teams, so you're still playing real golf while adding a twist.
02Game format
- Start with a coin toss to decide who begins on offense.
- Teams alternate roles (offense/defense) every hole.
- Offense can score touchdowns and field goals.
- Defense can score sacks, safeties and pick sixes.
03Scoring
Football-style points.
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Tie the hole | 0 |
| Win hole by 1 stroke | 3Field Goal |
| Win hole by 2+ strokes | 7Touchdown |
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Tie the hole | 0 |
| Offense loses by 1 stroke | 1Sack |
| Offense loses by 2–3 strokes | 2Safety |
| Offense loses by 4+ strokes | 7Pick Six |
Running score
- Hole #1: Team A scores a Touchdown7–0
- Hole #2: Team B kicks a Field Goal7–3
- Hole #3: Team B scores a Safety on defense7–5
Scoring applies through all 18 holes.
04Examples
- 1v1 — if you make par and your opponent makes double bogey, that's a touchdown (win by 2 strokes).
- 2v2 — if you and your teammate make par and bogey (team total = 9 on a par 4), and your opponents both make bogey (team total = 10), you win by 1 stroke, so it's a field goal.
- Scramble — the team score is based on the single ball being played. Treat it like 1v1 between teams.
05Onside kick
Each team can call one onside kick per round, but only after scoring a touchdown. If successful, they stay on offense.
Par 3
Closest to the pin off the tee wins.
Par 4 or 5
Team with fewest shots to reach the green wins. If tied, closest to the pin from the shot that reached the green wins.
06Onside kick penalty
If your team calls an onside kick and loses, you switch to defense, and the next offense gets a temporary scoring advantage for one hole:
- Touchdown = win by just 1 stroke
- Field Goal = tie
- Sack = lose by 2 strokes
- Safety = lose by 3 strokes
- Pick Six = lose by 5 or more strokes
See it played