Match Play Rules
Players: 2, or 2 sides
Match play is scored hole by hole, not by total strokes. Win a hole and you go one 'up'; lose it and you go one 'down'; tie and the hole is 'halved'. The match ends as soon as a side is more holes up than there are holes left to play.
Scoring the match
Only the result of each hole matters, so a blow-up costs you a single hole, not your whole round. The running margin is given as holes 'up' or 'down', and a level match is 'all square'.
A final score like '3 and 2' means a side was three holes up with two to play, so the match was over.
Dormie and concessions
'Dormie' means a side is up by exactly the number of holes left, so it cannot lose, only win or halve the match. Players can concede a putt, a hole, or the whole match at any time, which is part of match-play etiquette and strategy.
Common questions
What does 3 and 2 mean in match play?
The winning side was three holes up with only two holes left, so the match ended early.
What is dormie?
When a side leads by as many holes as remain. It can no longer lose the match, only win or halve it.
What is the difference between match and stroke play?
Match play scores hole by hole and the most holes won wins; stroke play counts total strokes for the round.
Keep reading
In the app
Skins Golf keeps score for you
Set it up once and Skins Golf scores it live, applies handicap allowances, and keeps the leaderboard honest every hole. We keep score, you keep your word.