{"id":2750,"date":"2026-11-04T00:43:45","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T23:43:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/comparatifs\/le-match-play-regles-deroule-et-strategie\/"},"modified":"2026-11-09T22:55:46","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T21:55:46","slug":"match-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/guides\/match-play\/","title":{"rendered":"Match Play Golf: Rules, Format and Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"

In match play, your total score doesn\u2019t matter: what counts is beating your opponent hole by hole. A 9 on a hole costs you only that one hole, not an entire card. This format\u2014the Ryder Cup\u2014has its own vocabulary, rules, and strategy. Here are the essentials for playing\u2014and winning\u2014it.<\/p>\n

What is match play in golf?<\/h2>\n

Match play pits two players\u2014or two teams\u2014against each other each hole<\/strong>. The player who finishes a hole in fewer strokes\u2014including penalties\u2014wins it. In the event of a tie, the hole is split. The match is won as soon as one side leads by more holes than remain to be played.<\/p>\n

That's the big difference compared to the stroke play<\/strong>, the format used in professional tournaments on television, where all the strokes on the course are added up. In match play, strokes are counted only on a hole-by-hole basis, and you don\u2019t even have to finish a hole\u2014you can simply concede it. The scorecard<\/a> is mainly used to track the status of the game.<\/p>\n

Match Play Vocabulary<\/h2>\n

The score is expressed in holes ahead, never in strokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Expression<\/td>\nMeaning<\/td>\nExample<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 up, 2 up\u2026<\/td>\nBe 1, 2\u2026 holes ahead<\/td>\n\u201cI'm 2 up after the 9th\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 down, 2 down\u2026<\/td>\nBe 1, 2\u2026 holes behind<\/td>\n\u201cShe's one under par at the start of the 15th.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
All square<\/td>\nTie in the game<\/td>\nAfter the 12th, everyone had won the same number of holes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Asleep<\/td>\nThe lead is equal to the number of holes remaining<\/td>\n3 up with 3 holes left to play: impossible to lose over 18 holes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3 & 2<\/td>\nVictory by 3 holes with 2 holes remaining<\/td>\nThe game ends at 16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shared hole<\/td>\nTied on that hole<\/td>\nThe game status remains unchanged<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

A victory on the final hole is referred to as \u201c1 up\u201d or \u201c2 up.\u201d The expression all square<\/strong> is detailed in our definition of the all square in golf<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Example
Match example: Player A was down by one on the 15th hole and won 3 & 2 on the 16th.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rules Specific to Match Play<\/h2>\n

Concessions: The Given Putt<\/h3>\n

In match play, you can to concede<\/strong> your opponent their next shot, an entire hole, or even the match. The most common scenario is the given putt<\/strong>: The ball is a few centimeters from the hole; you say, \u201cIt\u2019s a gift,\u201d and your opponent picks it up, counting one more stroke. A concession must be clearly indicated, either by a word or a gesture. Once made, it cannot be refused or withdrawn. In stroke play, however, there are no concessions: every ball must be holed.<\/p>\n

The order of play, and playing out of turn<\/h3>\n

At the start of the round, the order of play is determined by a draw or by mutual agreement. After that, the side that won the previous hole plays first; in the event of a tie, that side retains the honor. For the remainder of the hole, the player farthest from the flag plays first. If you play out of turn, there is no penalty, but Your opponent can cancel your move<\/strong> and have you replay it in the correct order. He'll often choose to do this if your move was excellent.<\/p>\n

Penalties and the number of strokes<\/h3>\n

Many infractions that result in a two-stroke penalty in stroke play result in, in match play, losing the hole<\/strong>. Other penalties, such as a one-stroke penalty, apply in the same way under both formats. You must also tell your opponent the exact number of strokes played when asked, including penalties. For specific cases, refer to the Rules of Golf or the tournament referee. The basics are summarized on our page Golf Rules and Basics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tied after 18 holes<\/h3>\n

If the match is tied going into the final hole and a winner must be determined, extra holes are played until one side wins a hole. Some competitions, such as the Ryder Cup, allow for a tie, which is worth half a point to each side.<\/p>\n

Handicap in Match Play<\/h3>\n

A handicap allows two players of different skill levels to compete on equal footing. The player with the higher handicap receives strokes, calculated based on the difference between their handicaps. These strokes are applied to the holes indicated in the \u201chandicap\u201d or \u201cHcp\u201d column on the scorecard, which ranks the holes from the most difficult (1) to the easiest (18). On a hole where you receive a stroke, your score is reduced by one stroke to match your opponent\u2019s score. The portion of the difference applied\u2014particularly in foursomes and four-balls\u2014is determined by the competition rules.<\/p>\n

Singles, foursomes, and four-balls: the three formats<\/h2>\n