Seven Things to Know for Match Play

New for 2023, the NCGA and Junior Tour of Northern California are now offering a Match Play Challenge. 

Learn about the NCGA Match Play Challenge

Learn about the JTNC Match Play Challenge 

In lieu of the new events, we thought we'd provide you a breakdown of some of the differences between match play and stroke play. 

Match Play consists of two players playing against each other where both competitors are trying to win the hole that is being played by having the lower score. On any given hole, a player will either win, lose or tie the hole. There are some unique things to know when competing in a match play competition.

Opponent (Match Play) vs Competitor (Stroke Play)

Most golfers tend to view these terms as interchangeable, but in the Rules of Golf, there is a specific distinction between the two and it’s important to know why. In Match Play a player always competes against an opponent. The match only exists between these two players and either player’s actions can only affect the status of the match taking place. In Stroke Play, a player competes against an entire field of competitors. Any action taken by a player can have an influence on the entire field and vice versa. 

Conceding the next stroke or conceding the hole entirely

A unique option that players have when competing in Match Play is to concede the next stroke or concede the loss of a hole. Conceding the next stroke is allowed any time before the opponent’s next stroke is made. When this happens, the opponent has then completed the hole with a score that includes that conceded stoke and the ball may be removed by anyone. Conceding a hole is allowed any time before the hole is completed, including before the players start the hole. A concession is made only when clearly communicated, either verbally or by an action that clearly shows the player’s intent to concede the stroke, the hole or match. A concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn.

Responsibilities of Player and Opponent

Telling opponent about number of strokes taken

• When asked for the number of strokes taken, or when giving that information without being asked the player must give the right number of strokes taken. A player who fails to respond to the opponent’s request is treated as giving the wrong number of strokes taken and the player gets the General Penalty (loss of hole).

Telling opponent about penalty

• When a player gets a penalty they must tell the opponent about that penalty as soon as reasonably possible, before the player makes their next stroke. This applies even if they player does not know about the penalty. Failing to inform the opponent about the penalty before the opponent makes their next stroke (or takes similar actions such as conceding a hole) results in the player getting the General Penalty (loss of hole).

Knowing match score

• Players are expected to know the match score. If players mistakenly agree on a wrong match score they may correct the mistake before making a stroke to begin another hole, or for the final hole, before the match result is finalized. If not corrected in time, the wrong match score becomes the actual match score.
  

Penalties

In stroke play, a General Penalty is two penalty strokes. In Match Play, a General Penalty is a loss of hole penalty. Another type of penalty in Match Play is a Match Adjustment penalty. In Stroke Play, if a player starts a round with 15 clubs and notices after the third hole, they get two penalty strokes on the first two holes of their round. If a player plays their first three holes with 15 clubs in Match Play, the match is adjusted by two holes in favor of the opponent. For example, a player wins the first three holes of the match and notices they have 15 clubs after completion of the third hole. The player was 3-up in the match after winning the first three holes but after applying the match adjustment penalty of a maximum of two holes the player is 1-up after three holes.

Rulings

Without a referee present, rulings are handled by the players. In Stroke Play, if there are any doubts about how to proceed under the rules, the player has the right to play two balls under Rule 20.1c(3). In Match Play, there is no right to play two balls. If the players are uncertain and there is no referee present the players may agree to how to proceed. For example, If a player is taking relief from a cart path and they are unsure if the relief procedure is nearest point of complete relief and one club length or two club lengths, the players can come to an agreement on how many club lengths are allowed. If they incorrectly agree to two club lengths, that ruling stands with no penalty for incorrectly following the relief procedure. If the players cannot come to an agreement on how to proceed, the player can make a request for a ruling to be decided by someone on the Committee when one is available. If the player thinks they get two club lengths and the opponent thinks they only get one club length, the player can take relief with two club lengths but the opponent can make a request for a ruling. A few holes later, if the two players see a referee, they can ask what the ruling is and the referee would rule that the player played from a wrong place resulting in the player losing the hole. Rulings requests in Match Play can be found in Rule 20.1b.