What does “all square” mean in golf?
All square (“tied”) is an expression from the match play. It indicates that neither side—players nor teams—is in the lead: each has won the same number of holes since the start of the match. On the scoreboards, it is often denoted as “AS”.
It is used at any point during the game (“all square after 9 holes”) or to announce the final result (“the match ends all square”).
How is a match play scored?
In stroke play, you add up all the strokes in the round. In match play, you play hole by hole:
- the team that finishes a hole in fewer strokes hits the hole;
- If the number of strokes is tied, the hole is shared (“halved” in English);
- The status of the match is expressed as the number of holes ahead: “1 up,” “2 up,” … or “all square.”.
The match does not necessarily go the full distance: it ends as soon as one side leads by more holes than there are left to play. The score is then announced as “3 and 2” (three holes ahead, two holes remaining).
Vocabulary related to “all square”
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| All square (AS) | Tie; neither side is in the lead |
| 1 up, 2 up… | A lead of one or two strokes… |
| 1 down, 2 down… | A round is played over one or two holes… |
| Asleep | A team leads by as many holes as are left to play: it can no longer lose in regulation time |
| Halved hole | Both teams reached the hole in the same number of strokes |
What happens if the match ends in a tie?
According to the Rules of Golf (Rule 3.2a), a match that is tied after the final hole is, by default, extended hole by hole until one side wins a hole. Any additional holes are part of the same round, and the strokes awarded apply to them just as they do during the round, unless the committee decides otherwise.
However, the rules of the competition may stipulate that the match ends with a tie. This is the case in certain team competitions: at the Ryder Cup, for example, a match that ends in a tie earns each team half a point. Other tournaments resolve ties differently, depending on the rules set by the committee.
All Square and Handicap
In handicap match play, the lower-ranked player receives strokes on certain holes, as indicated by each hole’s difficulty rating on the scorecard. This means that two players of very different skill levels can remain all square right up to the end—and that’s the whole point of this format.
How to Handle a Tied Game Effectively
- Play the hole, not the total score: A triple bogey only costs you one hole, which sometimes allows you to take more risks.
- Observe the opponent: If you're in a tight spot, a cautious shot to the middle of the green is often enough to make the hole.
- Stay focused on the putts you give away: In match play, you can give your opponent a putt, but a concession cannot be taken back.
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Frequently Asked Questions: “All Square” in Golf
What does “all square” mean in golf?
It's a tie in match play: both sides have won the same number of holes. This is often noted as “AS” on the scoreboards.
What happens when a match play ends all square?
By default, according to Rule 3.2a, the match is extended hole by hole until one side wins a hole. The tournament rules may also allow for a tie, as in the Ryder Cup, where each team then scores half a point.
What's the difference between “all square” and “dormie”?
"All square" means a tie. "Dormie" means that one side leads by as many holes as remain to be played: they can no longer lose in regulation time; at worst, the match ends all square.
Can you be all square in stroke play?
No, that term is used only in match play. In stroke play, we simply refer to a tie.