Matchplay Golf
Terms Explained.

The match is tied — both players or teams have won the same number of holes. Abbreviated as A/S on scorecards and match records. A match can end all square if the format allows drawn results; in knockouts, extra holes are played until someone wins.

See Foursomes. Two-player teams share one ball, taking turns to play alternate shots throughout the hole. One partner tees off on odd holes, the other on even holes.

The colloquial term for four-ball matchplay. Both players in a team play their own ball; the lower net score counts as the team's score for the hole. See Four-ball Golf.

In a knockout competition, a bye is given to a player who does not have an opponent in a given round. They progress automatically to the next round. Byes are used to fill bracket positions when the number of entries is not a power of 2.

An offer from one player or team to their opponent to treat a putt, hole, or the entire match as won without playing it out. Once given, a concession cannot be refused or withdrawn. Concessions do not apply in strokeplay — only matchplay.

Your Handicap Index adjusted for the specific course and tees you're playing. Formula: Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). This is the starting point for all matchplay handicap calculations. See How to Calculate a Matchplay Handicap.

A number expressing the expected score for a scratch golfer (Handicap Index 0.0) on a given set of tees under normal playing conditions. Usually one decimal place (e.g. 71.4). Printed on the scorecard or available from the club. Used alongside Slope Rating to calculate Course Handicap.

The state when a player or team leads by exactly as many holes as remain in the match. From dormie, the leader cannot lose — the worst outcome is a halve. For example, "dormie 3" means 3 up with 3 holes to play. The word comes from the French dormir — you can rest easy. Full dormie guide →

A matchplay format for two teams of two. All four players play their own ball; each team's score on a hole is the better of their two net scores. Also called better ball. See Four-ball Golf.

A matchplay format where two-player teams share one ball and take turns hitting alternate shots. One partner drives odd holes, the other drives even holes. The most demanding team matchplay format. See Foursomes Golf.

An informal term for a conceded putt — a short putt that an opponent concedes rather than making you hole it. Common for putts inside a couple of feet. The ball is considered holed and one stroke is added to the score. Not a term found in the Rules of Golf, but universally understood on the course.

A pairs format where both partners drive on every hole, the team selects the better drive, and then alternate shots from there. More forgiving than foursomes, more social than four-ball. See Greensomes Golf.

When both players or teams make the same net score on a hole, the hole is halved — neither side wins it. A halved hole results in no change to the running match score. A halved match (all square after 18) means neither player wins unless the format requires a winner.

A portable number representing a golfer's demonstrated ability across any course and set of tees, under the World Handicap System (WHS). Expressed to one decimal place (e.g. 14.2). Used to calculate the Course Handicap for a specific course. Issued and maintained by national golf bodies.

The right to tee off first on a hole. On the first hole, the order is determined by lot. Thereafter, the player or team who won the previous hole has the honour. If the previous hole was halved, the honour remains with whoever had it on that hole.

A format of golf decided hole by hole rather than by total score. The player or team who wins the most holes wins the match. Matches end when the leader's margin exceeds the number of holes remaining (e.g. 3&2). See Matchplay Golf Rules.

A player's gross score on a hole minus any handicap shot they receive on that hole. The net score is what determines who wins each hole in matchplay. If you make a 5 on a hole where you receive a shot, your net score is 4.

The Course Handicap further adjusted for the specific format being played. In singles matchplay it equals 100% of the Course Handicap. In four-ball, foursomes, or greensomes, a percentage allowance is applied. The Playing Handicap determines how many shots a player or team receives.

A number from 55 to 155 that measures the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The standard (average) Slope Rating is 113. A higher Slope Rating means the course is more difficult for higher-handicap players relative to scratch golfers. Used in the Course Handicap formula.

A scoring format where points are awarded based on net score versus par on each hole (1 point for bogey, 2 for par, 3 for birdie, etc.). Total points over 18 holes determine the result. Not matchplay — players compete against a points total rather than hole by hole against an opponent. See Stableford vs Matchplay.

A ranking of holes from 1 to 18 indicating where handicap shots are allocated. SI 1 is where the first shot is given; SI 18 is the last. If a player receives 8 shots, they get one extra shot on the holes ranked SI 1 through 8. Printed on every scorecard. See What is Stroke Index?

The running score in a matchplay contest. "3 up" means you've won three more holes than your opponent. "2 down" means your opponent has won two more holes than you. The match ends when the lead exceeds the number of holes remaining — e.g. 4 up with 3 to play = match won 4&3.

The universal handicapping system introduced in 2020 by the R&A and USGA, replacing six separate regional systems. The WHS provides a consistent method for calculating Handicap Indexes across different courses, countries, and conditions. All WHS calculations are what Dormie is built on.