In stroke play, the player with the lowest total score over the stipulated round wins. In match play, a player or side wins individual holes and the match goes to the side that is more holes up than remain to be played.
The same swing is used, but several procedures differ. Concessions are allowed in match play and some penalties have a different form.
How the result is counted
- 01
Stroke play: 84 strokes beats 87 over 18 holes.
- 02
Match play: winning six holes and losing four leaves a player two up, regardless of the stroke totals on those holes.
- 03
A match ends early when the lead is greater than the holes remaining, such as 3 and 2.
Concessions in match play
An opponent may concede the next stroke, a hole or the match. A concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn. There are no concessions in ordinary stroke play; the ball must be holed unless the format provides otherwise.
Order and penalties
In match play, an opponent may cancel a stroke made out of turn. In stroke play, there is normally no penalty for playing out of turn, although players must not agree to do so to give one of them an advantage.
Because penalties can differ, identify the form of play before applying a rule.
The essential point
Stroke play adds strokes; match play counts holes. That difference changes concessions, strategy and some rule procedures.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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