Three days, three formats, 28 points up for grabs — here’s a plain-English guide to how the Solheim Cup is actually decided at Bernardus.

The Solheim Cup is played over three days at Bernardus Golf, with Friday and Saturday each split into a morning session of foursomes and an afternoon session of fourballs, before Sunday is given over entirely to singles. Each of the three formats tests something slightly different, and knowing which is which is the fastest way into understanding a session as it unfolds.

Foursomes: one ball, two players, alternate shots

Foursomes — sometimes called alternate shot — pairs two players per side sharing a single ball, taking turns to hit it all the way to the hole. Partners hit alternating shots, testing both strategy and nerve as mistakes compound pressure — a bad shot from one player leaves their partner to deal with the consequences, which is what makes foursomes the format most likely to unsettle even experienced pairings. Four foursomes matches are played in the morning session on both Friday and Saturday, with eight players from each team involved in each session

Fourballs: better ball, more freedom

Fourballs — also known as better ball — switches the pressure. Each player plays their own ball, with the team score on each hole taken from whichever partner posts the better result. That extra safety net tends to produce more aggressive golf, since a player can chase a birdie without their partner’s score being at risk if it doesn’t come off. Four fourball matches follow foursomes in the afternoon session on both Friday and Saturday

Singles: 24 players, one day, no hiding

Sunday is given over to 12 singles matches, one player against one player, with all 24 players across both teams in action. There’s no partner to lean on and nowhere to hide a poor round — singles day has decided the destination of the trophy more than once in Solheim Cup history, and captains’ running orders (who plays who, and when) become a story in themselves

How the points add up

There are 28 points on offer in total, with 14.5 needed to win the trophy outright. Every match is worth one point, shared if the match is halved. If the match finishes 14-14, the trophy stays with the defending champions rather than changing hands — which means, with Team USA having won in 2024, a tied match at Bernardus would be enough for the USA to retain the Cup, while Europe needs the full 14.5 to take it back

The session-by-session breakdown:

• Friday 11 September — morning foursomes, afternoon fourballs
• Saturday 12 September — morning foursomes, afternoon fourballs
• Sunday 13 September — 12 singles matches, followed by the closing ceremony

Keep up to date with all the new from the Solheim Cup