Every two years, golf shifts from an individual pursuit to a team battle. The Ryder Cup pits 12 of Europe’s finest against 12 Americans, and few parts of the week match the energy of the fourball sessions.

So what exactly is fourballs? Often nicknamed “better ball,” the format has two-man teams with each golfer playing their own ball. That means four balls are in play on every hole, but only the lowest score from each side counts. If an American posts a birdie that beats Europe’s best, the hole is theirs. If both sides tie, the hole is halved. Unlike foursomes—where teammates alternate shots—fourballs give players the freedom to fire at pins, knowing their partner might cover them if things go wrong.

This setup is tailor-made for fireworks. Big hitters can take on risky lines, while stea

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