2025 Ryder Cup Format Explained

The 2025 Ryder Cup heads to the legendary Bethpage Black in New York, and with it comes the electric team format that sets this event apart from any other in golf. If you’ve ever wondered how it all works — match types, scoring, and the quirky envelope rule — you’re in the right place.

How Many Points to Win Ryder Cup Match Play?

The Ryder Cup is a three-day event featuring 28 total matches, each worth one point. To win the Cup outright, a team needs 14.5 points. However, if the defending champion team scores exactly 14 points, they retain the Cup.

The breakdown:

Day 1 & 2: Four foursomes and four four-ball matches each day
Day 3: 12 singles matches

Ryder Cup Foursomes vs Four-Ball: What’s the Difference?

Two very different match types make up the team portion of the Ryder Cup:

Foursomes (Alternate Shot)

Each two-man team plays one ball per hole, alternating shots. Strategy and chemistry are key. The pressure is intense — especially at a course like Bethpage Black, where recovery shots are brutal.

Four-Ball (Better Ball)

Each player plays their own ball, and the lowest score on the hole counts for the team. It’s more forgiving than foursomes and tends to produce more birdies — and momentum swings.

Find Out What Would You Shoot At Bethpage Black?

What Is the Ryder Cup Envelope Rule?

The envelope rule is one of golf’s weirdest traditions.

On Sunday, each captain places one player’s name in a sealed envelope — just in case the opposing team has a last-minute injury or withdrawal during singles.

If that happens, the envelope players are matched against each other, and the match is recorded as a halved point.

It’s never used often, but it’s a precautionary move that’s been part of Ryder Cup lore since 1979.

Why Bethpage Black Makes 2025 a Can’t-Miss Ryder Cup

Set on Long Island, Bethpage Black is one of the toughest public tracks in America.

Known for its brutal rough, narrow fairways, and punishing bunkers, it’s no surprise it hosted U.S. Opens in 2002 and 2009. Expect drama — and high scores — especially in foursomes.

Curious how your game would hold up? Find out what you’d shoot at Bethpage Black here.

Final Thoughts

The Ryder Cup is more than just golf — it’s emotion, nationalism, pressure, and camaraderie rolled into a weekend.

Now that you understand the format, scoring, and nuances like the envelope rule, you’re ready to enjoy 2025’s showdown at Bethpage Black with a whole new level of appreciation.