Match play
Played hole by hole against an opponent; you win when you lead by more holes than are left to play.
- Players
- Individual or sides
- Scored by
- Holes
- Difficulty
- Simple
- WHS allowance
- 100 %
Four holes on the card
| Hole | 1Par 4SI 7 | 2Par 3SI 15 | 3Par 5SI 1 | 4Par 4SI 11 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EmmaHcp 12 | 5net 4 | ||||
| JackHcp 4 | 4 |
- Match
- All square
Step by step
How it is played
| Your opponent makes 4 | Holes | |
|---|---|---|
| 5+ | You lose the holeMore strokes than your opponent | −1 |
| 4 | You halve the holeThe same as your opponent | 0 |
| 3 | You win the holeFewer strokes than your opponent | +1 |
- If you receive a stroke on that hole, your 5 strokes count as 4: you halve with your opponent's 4.
- The match goes to whoever leads by more holes than remain: 3 up with 2 to play.
A hole is won by the player who completes it in fewer strokes, penalty strokes included; with the same number of strokes the hole is halved. The match is won by the player who leads by more holes than remain to be played (Rule 3.2a). A player may concede the opponent's next stroke, a hole or the match (Rule 3.2b).
The cases that raise questions
Conceding a putt, a hole or the match.
A player may concede the opponent's next stroke, a hole or the match. A concession is final: it cannot be declined or withdrawn (Rule 3.2b).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 3: The Competition
A player plays when it was the opponent's turn.
There is no penalty, but the opponent may cancel that stroke and have it replayed in the right order (Rule 6.4a).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 6: Playing a Hole
Handicap
WHS recommendation (Appendix C): 100%; the lower playing handicap plays off 0 and the other receives the difference. The Committee sets it.
Your playing handicap
Enter each player's course handicap: the format's allowance does the rest.
Each player's playing handicap
- You8
- Your opponent0
- You: 100 % × 12 = 12
- Your opponent: 100 % × 4 = 4
- Rounded to the nearest whole number.
Basis in the Rules
Rule 3.2 of the Rules of Golf (match play).
Got it?
A 5-question recap to check you have it. Every answer comes with its why and its source.
The card, for your group
The format at a glance, with its short link. Send it to your group before you tee off.
Organising a Match play?
Morris sets up the terms, the groups and the handicap allowance with you on WhatsApp.