Match Play golf game rules
In match play you win holes, not count strokes. Lower score on a hole wins it; the player who wins the most holes wins the match.
How to play
Win a hole and you go 1 up. Tie and the hole is halved. The match is over when one side is up by more holes than are left — "3&2" means 3 up with 2 to play.
Singles and best ball
Singles is one against one. Best ball (four-ball) is two against two, with each team's lower score on the hole counting.
Scoring and money
The match pays a single stake to the winner; a match that finishes all square pushes. Side Pot can also add money per hole won and presses like a Nassau.
Handicaps
Players get strokes on the hardest holes by stroke index. Common allowances: 100% for singles and 90% for four-ball.
Worked example
Dave against Mike, $10 match, gross. Dave wins holes 3, 8 and 11; Mike wins hole 6; every other hole is halved.
Dave is 2 up with 1 to play after 17, so he wins 2&1. Mike pays Dave $10.
These numbers come straight from the scoring Side Pot uses in a real round. Load them into the calculator below and change anything.
Match Play calculator
Dave, Mike
- Dave+$10Net up
- Mike−$10Net down
Why (1 entries)
- Mike → Dave $10 · Match Match: Dave 2&1
Common questions
What does 3&2 mean in match play?
The winner was 3 holes up with only 2 holes left, so the match ended early.
Can you concede a putt in match play?
Yes. Conceding a short putt is part of match play etiquette; just record the score as made.
Related games
Let Side Pot keep the book.
Tap scores, and every Match Play result, the money and the settle-up are worked out for you.
Score your next Match Play round