A Practical Guide to Alternate Shot Strategy

The format changes everything

In alternate shot, partners play one ball and take turns until the hole is finished. That means your shot doesn’t just affect your score; it hands your partner the next problem. A heroic line over water may feel exciting until your teammate is left with a downhill bunker shot from a plugged lie.

Choose tee order with the course in mind

Don’t simply let the longer player hit all the odd holes. Look at the par 3s, forced carries, and approach distances. If one player is excellent with hybrids, maybe they should get the tee shots that set up long approaches. If the other is steady with wedges, arrange the order so they see more scoring shots when possible.

Play to the next player’s comfort

Good alternate shot strategy asks, what shot do I want to leave? A 160-yard approach from the fairway may be better than a 115-yard wedge from rough behind a tree. Layups should be placed to favorite yardages, not just “somewhere short.”

Useful rules:

• Favor the club that keeps the ball in play.
• Leave full swings when nerves are high.
• Avoid short-siding your partner.
• Talk through the plan before the shot, then let the player swing.

Communication should be calm and brief

Before the shot, agree on target, club, and acceptable miss. After the shot, keep reactions useful. “We’re fine, front right is safe” helps. A long postmortem while your partner walks to the ball does not.

The best mindset

Alternate shot is not about avoiding every mistake. It’s about making mistakes easier to survive. Teams that stay patient usually beat teams that chase the perfect sequence.