How Match Play Works in Golf
Win holes, not strokes.
Players2
Holes9 or 18
HandicapsOff the low
How it works
- Lower score wins the hole. A tie halves it.
- Keep track of how many holes up you are.
- Once you’re up more holes than are left, you win.
- Otherwise, whoever is up after the last hole wins.
Example
Mike is 3 up with 2 holes to play.
Jake can’t catch up. Mike wins 3 & 2.
Tips
- "Dormie" means you’re up as many holes as are left.
- A blow-up hole only costs you one hole.
- Concede short putts to speed things up.
FAQ
How do strokes work in match play?
The lower handicap plays at zero. The other player gets the difference, one stroke on each of the hardest holes.
What does "all square" mean?
The match is tied.