CNN —

What are foursomes, who is playing, and why on earth is that rather inebriated spectator cosplaying as George Washington? The Ryder Cup can be a dizzying beast to wrap your head around if you're not a seasoned golf enthusiast.

In such headspinning circumstances, it's helpful to start with the basics.

Video above: Golf fans celebrate Ryder Cup victory in 2021

So without further ado, here's a drive through the format so you can get up to speed before tee off at New York's Bethpage Black Golf Course on Friday.

What is the Ryder Cup?

Launched in 1927, the Ryder Cup is a biennial tournament that pits the best golfers from the United States and Europe against each other in a battle for bragging rights and a shiny gold trophy.

That wasn't always the setup: for the first 50 years, i

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