Stroke play versus match play

Match play is against your opponent, while stroke play is against the course

Almost every golfer uses stroke play to determine the winner of a game. Stroke play is a scoring system where the number of strokes are accumulated from all 18 holes. The lowest number of strokes determines the winner. This scoring system is also called medal play, because a trophy or medal is often awarded to the winner in a tournament. The first mention of stroke play in a tournament was at St. Andrews, Scotland, in 1759, but at that time match play still dominated golf.

Match play is a scoring system in which golfers try to win one hole at a time, regardless of the number of strokes, with the objective of winning the majority of the 18 holes. If your opponent has a double bogey while you have a bogey, you win that hole. If both players have the same score, the hole is all-square (tied) or halved. When a player is up more holes than there are holes left to play, the match comes to an end.

For example, if the score is 3 and 2, it means the winner is up three holes with two holes left to play. It does not mean that one player has won three holes and his opponent has won two holes.

A strange term in match play is “dormie.” When one golfer achieves a lead that matches the number of holes remaining, the match is in dormie.

Match play was the original scoring system when golf or goulf was invented in Scotland in 1421.  The entire concept of birdies, pars and bogeys did not evolve until the 1890s. Match play remained popular as late as 1957, the last year in which it was used in the United States PGA championship.  

With the advent of the PGA tour and the demands of television, there are few match play tournaments left. They include the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup, the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Tucson, the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Europe and the Solheim Cup for women.

How the styles differ

There are numerous reasons why match play is very different than stroke play:

• Match play is against your opponent, while stroke play is against the course. 
• Shooting over 100 in stroke play can be very demoralizing for any golfer, so do not keep score.
• If you have a terrible hole, concede the hole to your opponent and pick up your ball. It is only one loss of 18 holes.

Strategy is very different in match play. The strategy constantly changes between playing conservatively to being aggressive, depending on your opponent’s next shot. A golfer can be more aggressive than in stroke play because total score does not count. The only consequence for not going for it is to lose one hole.  

Tips for match play

• Be the first off the tee and the first on the green to put pressure on your opponent. 
• You have the right to know how your opponent’s shot turned out before you hit. If your opponent hits into the water, you can play conservatively, taking the risk out of play.
• Putting strategy and sportsmanship are important, for knowing when to concede a four-foot putt or make your opponent putt is part of the mental game of golf.
• Match play lends itself to best ball, doubles competition and team competition.

One hole at a time

Golfers put far too much emphasis on stroke play and trying to play par golf. It is unnecessary and counterproductive to learning and enjoying the game. If two golfers are of equal ability, 10 of the 18 holes will be halved, with only eight holes determining the final outcome of the match.  That makes for good competition.

There are many versions of match play, along with some difficult rules and handicap systems, but keep it simple and enjoy playing one hole at a time.