
How Do I Score Match Play Golf?
- List each person or side on a separate line or row on the score card. ...
- Enter “AS” for “All Square” if the relative score between the two sides is tied. ...
- Enter “+1” on row for the first team to win a hole and “-1” on the side that loses the hole. ...
- Match play concludes if a side is ahead by more holes than are remaining in the round. ...
What are the rules of match play golf?
Jul 07, 2004 · Updated on 08/31/18. At root, match play scoring in golf is very simple: Golfers compete hole by hole, and the golfer who wins the most holes wins the match. But match play competitions can create some scores that novices might not be familiar with, scores that may look odd or use terminology unfamiliar to beginners.
How does match play scoring work?
Jan 14, 2022 · In team play, the best score is taken from each team. How does the scoring work? Whichever player, or team, completes the hole in the fewest strokes wins the hole, and therefore wins a point. If both scores are identical, the hole is halved, resulting in …
What is the scoring system in golf?
Jul 21, 2010 · How Do I Score Match Play Golf? Step 1. List each person or side on a separate line or row on the score card. Unlike stroke play, match play... Step 2. Enter “AS” for “All Square” if the relative score between the two sides is tied. For example, if …
How is match play scored?
Players or teams have one opponent they are playing against in their match. Each team is trying to score better than their opponent for an individual hole. The winning team on each hole is considered to be “1 Up”, while the losing team is considered to be “1 Down”. If the two teams tie, the teams move onto the next hole as no one has won the hole.

How do you mark a scorecard on match play?
Match Play So mark your scorecard "AS" for "all square" so long as the match remains tied. Once someone wins a hole, you'll mark the card "-1" if you lost the hole, or "+1" if you won the hole. This means you are 1-down or 1-up, respectively, in the match.Jul 3, 2019
What does it mean in golf to win 4 and 3?
When you see a match play score that is rendered in this way—2 and 1, 3 and 2, 4 and 3, and so on—it means that the winner clinched the victory before reaching the 18th hole and the match ended early.Aug 31, 2018
What do Ryder Cup scores mean?
How does Ryder Cup scoring work? Matches are worth a point for the winning team, a half-point in the case of a draw and no points for the losing team. The first team to reach 14 1/2 points (the minimum score needed to ensure a non-tie finish) wins the Ryder Cup.Sep 26, 2021
What are Stableford points in golf?
Stableford is a scoring system used in the sport of golf. Rather than counting the total number of strokes taken, as in stroke play, it involves scoring points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole.
What is match play?
Unlike in stroke play, where a player aims to post the lowest score over 18 holes, golfers in match play have to try to win more holes than their opponent.
How does the scoring work?
Whichever player, or team, completes the hole in the fewest strokes wins the hole, and therefore wins a point. If both scores are identical, the hole is halved, resulting in no change to the overall score.
Anything else?
When a player is in a position where they can still halve the match but cannot lose, this is known as “dormie”. So if Player A is 2-up with two holes to play, they are “dormie 2”.
Playing with handicaps
In a handicap match, it is the lowest net score that wins each hole. The golfer with the highest handicap receives extra shots according to the difference between each players’ handicaps.
Match play on tour
The Ryder and Solheim Cups are both match play golf events. Both are played over three days between teams of 12, with a variety of fourball, foursomes and singles matches.
What is match play scoring?
Match play scoring is based on the number of holes won. Match play differs from stroke play in that each hole counts as one point. The individual or team with the lower score on a hole wins the point. If you win more holes, you win the match.
What happens if you have the same score on a hole?
If both players or teams have the same score on a hole, the hole is said to be "halved.". The score does not change--the side that was up after the previous hole remains ahead by the same amount.
When writing down the names of the players on your scorecard, what do you do?
When writing down the names of the players on your scorecard, leave an empty line between your name and your opponent's--or your team and the opposing team. You'll use this line to keep track of who is ahead, or "up," in the match.
How does match play golf differ from stroke play?
Match play golf differs from stroke play in that one side or team plays another over the course of a round competing on each hole. Whichever golfer or team that holes the ball in the fewest number of strokes wins the respective hole. If handicaps are applied, the side or person with the lowest net score wins the hole.
How does match play scorekeeping work?
Unlike stroke play, match play scorekeeping maintains a record of the relative score of holes won between two sides independent of how many strokes are used to win the respective hole.
What does "AS" mean in golf?
Enter “AS” for “All Square” if the relative score between the two sides is tied. For example, if the first hole in match play results in both sides scoring par on the hole, the score card would be annotated “AS” for each side.
What happens when you tie a hole in golf?
If a hole is tied during play, it is considered to be “halved” and the score remains the same. Match play concludes when one side leads the other by a total score greater than the number of holes remaining in the match.
What is Phil's score on the first hole of the golf course?
Phil scores a 3 on the 1st hole, where Adams scores a 4. Phil is now considered 1 Up going to the 2nd hole. Phil hits 2 balls into the water on the 2nd hole, and Adam is safely on the green after 2 shots. Phil concedes the hole to Adam knowing that it is almost impossible for Adam not to beat Phil’s score on this hole.
What does 3 and 2 mean in golf?
3 and 2 means that a player is 3 Up with only 2 holes to play. NOTES. Even though Match Play Scoring is used for head to head competition, it is possible for a player to have multiple matches going on at 1 time. Scores are kept for each player, and can be compared to the players opponent’s scores.
What does it mean when Adam is 2 up in golf?
Now, let’s fast forward to the last couple of holes in the round. Once the players reach the 17th hole, Adam is still 2 Up. This means that Phil must win the hole outright, otherwise, Adam will be 2 Up with only 1 hole to play, and have no chance of winning the match. This is where you’ll see “2 and 1″, which means the player won with a 2 Up ...
What happens if two teams tie?
If the two teams tie, the teams move onto the next hole as no one has won the hole. Actual number of strokes over or under par are irrelevant. You’re only trying to score better than your opponent, which is why you will see teams pick up their ball if they know they cannot beat their opponents score.
How many opponents are there in golf?
THE RULES. Players or teams have one opponent they are playing against in their match. Each team is trying to score better than their opponent for an individual hole. The winning team on each hole is considered to be “1 Up”, while the losing team is considered to be “1 Down”.
Can teams concede holes?
Teams are allowed to concede the hole to their opponent, as well as give them a “gimme”, for shots they know they will most certainly make. Other formats (fourball, foursomes, singles) can use match play scoring. Adam and Phil are opponents playing a match play game.
What is a round in match play golf?
A round in match play golf will see two golfers competing head to head against each other and not against the rest of the field. Rather than trying to post the lowest score for the round golfers are here trying to win (or not lose) more holes than their opponent.
What happens to the golfer with the highest handicap?
The golfer with the highest handicap will be awarded an extra stroke on as many holes as that calculated difference number.
What happens if you hit your own ball in golf?
The golfer with the lowest score is said to have won that hole. If both scores are identical then no points (or holes won) are awarded for that hole.
When is a winner declared?
Or in other words, a winner is declared when his opponent can no longer tie or win the match even if he were to win all of the remaining holes.
What does it mean when a golf match is even after 18 holes?
When the match is even after any given hole, then it is noted on the scorecard as “AS” or “All Square” next to the hole number. A game of match play golf that is all square even after the complete 18 holes is considered as a tie between two players or teams.
How many players can play golf?
The various games of golf can either be played by two players who play head to head, or by two teams of players.
How does the golf game get its name?
The game is played by two golfers who partner up. Each of the two golfers has to play with their golf ball, which is why the game got its name. The partner’s score that’s the lowest is counted as a team score on each of the holes.
What holes do W and Z play in round robin?
From holes 7 to 13, W and Y are going to partner against X and Z. On holes 13 to 18 , players W and Z will partner against X and Y. While the Round Robin golf game can be a bit confusing for those who are playing it for the first time, it is a great tame to play for those golfers who have mixed abilities.
How many holes are there in Round Robin?
The Round Robin gameplay may seem confusing to some players. This is partly due to its unique format. Here’s a quick breakdown of Round Robin’s gameplay. There are three six-hole games that are played following a two on two format. The partners in Round Robin change after ever six holes.
What is handicap rating?
Handicaps. Difficulty ratings are issued by the United States Golf Association for every hole on sanctioned golf courses. This makes it easier to determine which hole scores need to be adjusted when both teams have different handicaps.
What is the meaning of "win" in golf?
The player or team that’s able to complete a hole in the fewest strokes wins. Matches can be won by winning the most holes that remained to be played. During gameplay, it is possible for a player or their opponent to concede a hole, stroke, or even the entire match to their opponent.
What is match play?
Match play is a different beast as we take on an opponent rather than the scorecard. The rules differ in a number of ways too. Match play is one against one or two against two rather than the whole field (Photo: Getty Images) Before we pick out some of those, let’s talk about the match play basics.
How to practice golf before a round?
Practice before a round (Rule 5.2) 1 Golf Monthly is packed with all the information you need to help improve your game. 2 Take your game to the next level with tips, drills and advice from top Tour Pros and the UK’s top coaches. 3 Impartial in-depth reviews of the latest equipment will ensure you buy the best whatever your budget 4 If you are looking to venture away with friends Golf Monthly will give you plenty of ideas of where to play and stay.
What is the difference between 4 and 3 in golf?
The match is over when one player or side leads by more holes than there are still to play. A 4&3 victory is when one side is four holes up with only three holes to play. In a handicap match, it is the lowest net score that wins each hole.
What happens if you hit a ball on the putting green?
If you play a stroke from on the putting green and your ball strikes another ball at rest on the putting green, you will incur a two-shot penalty in stroke play. Under match play golf rules, there is no penalty (Exception to Rule 11.1a).
How many strokes does a 12 handicap give?
So, in a match between two players off 12 and 20, the 12-handicapper gives the 20-handicapper eight strokes.
Is there a penalty for playing from outside the teeing area?
In a similar way, if you play from outside the teeing area (or the wrong set of tee markers on the same hole or a different hole), there is no penalty in match play.
Does ready golf include match play?
The commendable drive towards ‘ready golf’ doesn’t include match play, as the order of play at any point on a hole is deemed to be of greater tactical importance than in stroke play.
What is match play?
Match play is a form of play where a player (or players) plays directly against an opponent (or opponents) in a head-to-head match. You win a hole by completing it in the fewest number of strokes, and you win a match when you are winning by more holes than remain to be played.
Do you have to keep scorecards in stroke play?
If you and your opponent don’t agree on how to proceed, you should do what you think is correct. Your opponent can then make a request for a ruling, which will later be decided by the Committee. In match play, you are not required to keep a scorecard – scorecards are only required in stroke play.
