Growing up in the US, I only played foursomes once, and it was a disaster.
While studying in London, I filled in on my club's team in winter matches against other local clubs. The format was foursomes. When I met my partner for my first match, the only thing he told me was, “never say you’re sorry.” I think it was great advice. We made a late charge, but lost a close one. While having a pint afterwards, our opponents said, “we knew we were going to win when a Yank showed up on the first tee. You’re hopeless at foursomes.” (This was the spring after the 2006 Ryder Cup.)
After a few more matches, I really enjoyed the format. I also think it would be a lot more fun with a regular partner. Most at my club and the ones we played had regular partners who they played with year after year in interclub matches and in foursome events at their clubs. I think if you played with the same person often, the whole aspect of letting your partner down would go away. There would have been enough times that you let each other down or got each other out of trouble that it wouldn’t be an issue any more. I also think that you need to play with a partner who is reasonably close in playing ability.
Since moving back to the US, I have tried to get friends to play the format, but have had no success.
The only time I’ve played foursomes since moving back was at the WSGA Team Championship. I think the tournament format was a blast, and would like to see more of it. The first round was fourball, second was foursomes, and third you each played your own ball. This would give you a 72 hole score. I believe the format was changed last year to a third round 2 man scramble, which I don’t personally like.