How does match play work in golf?
B · Beginner · Scoring and forms of play · 2 of 13In match play two players, or two sides, play each hole as a separate contest. The lower score wins the hole, and the match is won by the player who leads by more holes than remain to be played. A player may concede a stroke, a hole or the whole match.
How it works
- Winning a hole: by completing it in fewer strokes, when the opponent concedes it or when the opponent gets the general penalty, which in match play is loss of the hole.
- Tying a hole: the same number of strokes. A tied hole is also called halved.
- The match score is kept as holes up, or all square when it is level.
- Winning the match: leading by more holes than remain. A player three holes up with two to play has won, a result written as "3 and 2".
- A tied match is extended one hole at a time until someone wins, unless the terms of the competition say it ends as a tie.
Concessions:
- The next stroke may be conceded at any time before it is made. The opponent has then completed the hole with that stroke counted.
- A hole may be conceded at any time before it is completed, and a match at any time before it is decided.
- A concession must be communicated without doubt, by words or a gesture. It is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn.
- Players may not agree to concede holes to each other to shorten the match.
Duties to the opponent:
- A player asked how many strokes they have taken must give the right number. A wrong answer not corrected before the opponent's next stroke loses the hole.
- A player who gets a penalty must tell the opponent as soon as reasonably possible.
- A stroke played out of turn may be cancelled by the opponent.
Tricky cases
Can a conceded putt be refused?
No. A concession "is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn".
A player sees the opponent break a Rule. Must they claim the hole?
No. A player may choose whether or not to act on the opponent's breach. What the two may not do is agree to ignore a Rule or penalty they know applies: that disqualifies both.
Is a conceded putt allowed in stroke play?
No. In stroke play the ball must be holed on every hole.
Why the rule exists
The Rules explain that match play has its own rules because the two players compete only against each other, can see each other's play and can protect their own interests. So they are allowed to concede, and to overlook a breach.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules of Golf, match play | As above | G 3.2 |
| Stroke play | No concessions. The general penalty is two strokes | G 3.3; G 1.3c |
| Three-ball match play | Three players each play a match against the other two with one ball | G 21.4 |
From the rule book
The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf, Rules 3.2, 6.4a and 6.5. Effective January 2023. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Golf (PDF).