How the Ryder Cup works: these are the rules and forms of play

The Ryder Cup is known for its electrifying atmosphere and its special forms of play that set it apart from conventional golf tournaments. To fully understand the legendary duel between Europe and the USA, it is essential to know the Ryder Cup rules and the unique match play format. It is not about the total number of strokes over 18 holes, but about winning individual holes against your opponent.

The tournament takes place over three days - from Friday to Sunday - and comprises a total of 28 matches, all of which are played over 18 holes.

The points system: Who wins the Ryder Cup?

Every match won is worth one point for the respective team. If there is a draw after 18 holes, the match is "split" and each team receives half a point. There is no extra time or play-off to decide a split match.

To win the Ryder Cup, a team needs 14.5 points. In the event of a 14-14 draw after all 28 matches, the last team to win the Ryder Cup retains the trophy. For the challenging team, this means that it must score at least 14.5 points to win.

The three forms of play at the Ryder Cup

A total of three different Ryder Cup forms of play are used on the three days of the tournament, each of which requires special tactical considerations from the captains:

Foursomes: A Ryder Cup form of play that demands teamwork

• When is it played? Friday and Saturday, usually four matches per day. The home captain decides whether foursomes are played in the morning or afternoon.

How do foursomes work at the Ryder Cup?

• Foursomes is a team competition between two teams of two.
• The two players of a team take turns playing the same ball.
• One player hits the tee shot on the first hole, the partner plays the next shot from the lie of the ball, and so it goes on until the hole is completed.
• The players also take turns teeing off: One tees off on all odd-numbered holes (holes 1, 3, 5 etc.), the other on all even-numbered holes (holes 2, 4, 6 etc.).
• The winning team is the one whose players hole the ball with the fewest strokes.

Special feature: This form of Ryder Cup play requires a high degree of teamwork, coordination and trust, as the partners are responsible for each other's shots. Since 2006, teams in foursomes have been allowed to change golf balls after each hole, which was previously not permitted and affected the strategy.

Fourball: The Ryder Cup game form for aggressive duels

• When is it played? Friday and Saturday, usually four matches per day. The home captain decides whether fourball is played in the morning or afternoon.

How do the foursomes work at the Ryder Cup?

• Fourball is also a team competition between two teams of two.
• In contrast to foursomes, each of the four golfers plays their own ball over the entire hole. This means that four balls are in play at the same time.
• At the end of each hole, only the better score of the two players in a team is counted.
• The team whose player achieves the lowest individual score on this hole wins the hole.

Special feature: This Ryder Cup form of play is often considered more aggressive and allows players to take more risks, as there is a partner who can save the hole if the other player makes a mistake.

Individual matches: The decisive Ryder Cup rules

• When will it be played? On Sunday, the last day of the tournament. All twelve players from each team will play, so there will be twelve singles matches in total.

How do the singles work at the Ryder Cup?

• Players compete against each other in direct one-on-one duels.
• The player with the lower score on a hole wins the hole.
• The player who has won the most holes at the end of the match wins the point for his team.

Special feature: The individual matches are often the most emotional and decisive games of the Ryder Cup. This is where the players' individual strength and nerves of steel are put to the test under extreme pressure, as there is no partner to make up for mistakes. The captains line up their twelve players for the singles matches without knowing the exact order of the opposing players, which adds another strategic layer. Theoretically, the continental duel could be decided on Saturday, but it has never happened.

Match Play terminology: important terms at the Ryder Cup

There are some special terms in Match Players that you should know:

• X Up (e.g. "3 Up"): Means that a player or team leads by X holes.
• X and Y (e.g. "3 & 2"): Describes the final result of a match. "3 & 2" means that the winner has won the match with a 3-hole lead with 2 holes left to play. The match is therefore over early.
• All Square (AS): Means that the match is tied.
• Dormie: A player or team is "dormie" if he/she is leading with as many holes left to play. For example, if a player is 3 holes ahead and there are only 3 holes left to play (3 up with 3 to play), he is dormie. The player can no longer lose the match, but can at most tie.

The unique format of the Ryder Cup, in particular the combination of different forms of play and the gripping match-play mode, is a major reason for its unparalleled excitement and drama. Understanding the Ryder Cup rules is crucial to fully grasp the fascination of this event. It demands not only golfing skills from the players, but also team spirit, strong nerves and strategic thinking.