Golf Basic Ways of Play
This is an explanation of the two basic ways the game of golf is played
Playing the Game
The game of golf is played in two basic ways--match play and stroke
play.
Stroke Play
In stroke play, the winner is the golfer who takes the fewest number
of total strokes to complete a competition. Most professional tournaments
use stroke play for a total of 72 holes (four rounds). Ties are broken
by a playoff. In most tournament playoffs, the tied golfers continue
to play until one golfer scores lower on a single hole. In some cases,
ties are settled using an 18-hole playoff.
Match Play
In match play, one golfer or team plays against one or more others.
The player or team hitting the ball into the hole in the fewest number
of strokes wins that hole. The player or team winning the most holes
wins the match. The score is determined by the number of holes won.
For example, a player who is "2 up" has won two holes more than the
opponent. A match is decided when a golfer leads by more holes than
there are holes left to play. If both golfers or teams make the same
score on a hole, that hole is said to be halved. If the two golfers
or teams are tied at the scheduled end of the match, it is halved and
play may continue. Then the player or team who first wins a hole wins
the match.
