Most of us play more stroke play than match play golf. Generally we play against the course in order to gain, maintain or improve a handicap.
But match play is an important format of the game and the Rules pertaining to it actually come before the Rules of stroke play and they're covered in Rule 3.2.
In match play you take on an opponent rather than the course and its scorecard. The rules differ in a number of ways as opposed to those that apply in stroke play and we outline these differences below.
The Basics of Match Play golf Rules
There are different formats in match play for both individuals and teams. There's singles match play, like Matt Fitzpatrick vs Max Homa at the 2023 Ryder Cup in the picture above, then there's fourball betterball, foursomes, greensomes and even doubles scramble.
In match play, the lowest net score on the hole wins that hole. If both players A and B make a par on a hole but player B is receiving a shot on that hole, then player B would win the hole. If there are no shots being given then the hole would be halved.
If a player wins the 1st hole they go 1-up, if they win the 2nd, they go 2-up... and so on. The match is over when one player or team leads by more holes than there are still to play.
If a player is four holes ahead with only three holes left to play, they would win the match by 4&3.
How do golf handicaps work in match play?
As mentioned above, in a handicap match play match, the lowest net score wins the hole. Shots are given and taken on the lowest indexed holes according to the difference between players' handicaps. So, if a player is receiving 10 shots in an individual match play match, they would receive those 10 shots on the holes that are indexed between 1 and 10.
Since the implementation of the World Handicapping System (WHS) the recommended allowance for individual match play is 100% of the difference between handicaps. If you're playing fourball betterball, each player gets 90% of the difference between themselves and the lowest handicapped player of the four,
To put that in context. If it's a singles match and player A has a handicap of 12 and player B has a handicap of 20, player A will give player B eight shots. They will receive those shots on the holes with indices 1-8.
If it's a fourball betterball match and player A and his partner player B both play off 12 and their opponents, players C and D both play off 20 then both players C and D would receive 90% of 8 shots, that's 7.2 so seven shots.
Match play golf rules can differ quite significantly from stroke play rules in a number of ways. Here are seven examples.
1. General Penalty
The general penalty for rules breaches in match play is loss of hole rather than two strokes in stroke play. But not all breaches attract the general penalty, so always check if you’re not sure.
2. Concessions
You can concede a hole or the entire match to your opponent (or opponents) in match play. You can do that at any time. Normally it's when you concede a stroke on the green, a "gimme" putt. Once a concession is offered, it cannot be withdrawn, nor can it be declined.
3. Disregarding Rules breaches
An interesting one in match play is that you can, if you wish and for whatever reason, disregard a Rules breach by your opponent. But, you can't agree with your opponent to deliberately ignore a rules breach or a penalty you are aware of. If you do that, you're both disqualified.
So, to clarify, if you saw an opponent dropping in the wrong place, you could ignore that if you were feeling generous, or if you thought their ball had ended in a bad spot! But, you couldn't both agree to play preferred lies if the course was a bit wet but there was no Local Rule on preferred lies in force.
4. Playing out of turn
In stroke play, "ready golf" is now encouraged and players can play out of turn if it is prudent and safe to do so. Ready golf doesn't apply to match play. The reason for that is that playing in turn is of tactical importance in match play. Your next shot could be influenced by the result of your opponent's shot so it's key that you play in turn. That means, whoever is furthest from the hole plays next.
That said, there is no penalty for playing out of turn in match play… but your opponent is quite at liberty to ask for the stroke to be cancelled and replayed should he or she so wish under Rule 6.4a.
This may, of course, depend on how good or bad the shot was!
5. Playing from outside the teeing area
If you play from outside the teeing area in stroke play, or if you play from the wrong tee markers, you have to play again with a one-stroke penalty. So if you play from the reds when you should have been playing from the whites, you should play three from the whites to correct your mistake.
But, in match play, there is no penalty. Your opponent can choose to cancel the stroke under Rule 6.1b and ask you to play again from inside the correct teeing area. Or, they may allow the shot to stand if you've hit one straight into a bush!
6. On the putting green
In stroke play, if you play a shot from on the putting green (most likely a putt) and your ball hits another ball at rest on that putting green, you face a two-shot penalty. But, in match play, according to the exception to Rule 11.1a, there is no penalty. You must play your ball as it lies and the ball that was moved must be replaced on its original spot.
7. Practice before a round (Rule 5.2)
In stroke play you are not allowed to practise on the competition course ahead of playing, nor test the surface of a putting green. You can have a chip or putt around your first teeing area, but that's your lot.
In match play, there are no such restrictions. You could even go out and play the whole course in the morning before playing your match in the afternoon.
It's good to know these differences between stroke play and match play as they could assist you and prevent you from making an error.
