MATCH PLAY
Hole by Hole Battle
🎯Objective
Win more holes than your opponent. Unlike stroke play, total strokes don't matter - only who wins each hole. A blow-up hole only costs you one hole, not your entire round!
👥Match Play Formats
👤Individual (1v1)
- • Head-to-head competition
- • Lower score wins each hole
- • Classic golf duel format
👥👥Team (2v2)
- • Two teams of 2 players
- • Best ball (lower score) per team
- • Ryder Cup style competition
📊Hole Outcomes
Win the Hole
Lower score → Go 1 UP (or reduce deficit by 1)
Lose the Hole
Higher score → Go 1 DOWN (or reduce lead by 1)
Halve the Hole
Same score → No change in match status
📖Match Play Terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| All Square (A/S) | Match is tied |
| 2 UP | Leading by 2 holes |
| 3 DOWN | Trailing by 3 holes |
| DORMIE | Up by same number as holes remaining (e.g., 3 UP with 3 to play) |
| 3&2 | Won 3 UP with 2 holes remaining (match ended early) |
| 1 UP (Final) | Won by 1 hole after 18 |
When Does the Match End?
The match ends when one player/team leads by more holes than remain:
- • 5 UP with 4 to play → Match over (5&4)
- • 2 UP with 1 to play → Match over (2&1)
- • 1 UP with 0 to play → Match won on 18th
- • All Square after 18 → Can play sudden death or declare a tie
📝Example Match
| Hole | Chad | John | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 | Chad | Chad 1 UP |
| 2 | 5 | 4 | John | All Square |
| 3 | 4 | 4 | Halved | All Square |
| 4 | 3 | 5 | Chad | Chad 1 UP |
| 5 | 4 | 6 | Chad | Chad 2 UP |
After 5 holes, Chad is 2 UP. He needs to stay ahead to win the match!
📋Handicaps in Match Play
Individual (1v1): 100% of Difference
If Chad is a 10 and John is an 18, John gets 8 strokes on the 8 hardest holes (by handicap ranking).
Team (2v2): 90% of Lowest Handicap
In best ball format, strokes are calculated from the lowest handicap player and distributed at 90%.
🧠Strategy Tips
Play the Opponent, Not the Course
If your opponent is in trouble, play safe. Don't risk giving back a hole you should win.
Concede the Gimmes
Short putts can be “given” to speed up play and show sportsmanship.
Big Numbers Don't Kill You
A 10 on a hole only costs you one hole - not your whole round like in stroke play.
Close Out When You Can
When DORMIE, focus intensely. One more halved hole wins the match.
Ready for a Match Play battle?