Matchplay Golf
Formats Explained.
Individual matchplay, four-ball, foursomes, greensomes — every format, how handicaps work in each, and how to set up a fair match in seconds.
Definition
In matchplay golf, each hole is scored as a win, loss, or half rather than by counting total strokes. The player or team who wins the most holes wins the match — the margin on any individual hole is irrelevant, and a double-bogey on one hole has no bearing on the next.
What is matchplay golf?
Matchplay is a format of golf where the competition is decided hole by hole, rather than by total strokes over the round. You win a hole by completing it in fewer strokes than your opponent — and the player or team who wins the most holes wins the match.
Unlike strokeplay, a bad hole in matchplay doesn't cost you the entire round. You can lose a hole by six shots, concede it, and move on — the next hole is a fresh contest. This makes matchplay one of the most exciting and strategically interesting formats in golf.
Matchplay is used at every level of the game, from casual weekend rounds to club knockouts, society days, and the highest levels of professional competition — including the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup, and the WGC Match Play.
How handicaps work in matchplay golf
Handicaps level the playing field in matchplay golf, so players of different abilities can compete fairly. Under the World Handicap System (WHS), the process works in three steps:
Calculate the Course Handicap
Your Course Handicap is your Handicap Index adjusted for the specific course and tees you're playing. It uses the course's Slope Rating and Course Rating: Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par).
Calculate the Playing Handicap
The Playing Handicap is the Course Handicap adjusted for the specific format being played. In singles matchplay it's 100% of Course Handicap; in four-ball it's reduced to reflect the advantage of having a partner.
Find the shot difference
In matchplay, the lower-handicap player gives shots to the higher-handicap player. The number of shots given equals the difference in Playing Handicaps, allocated by stroke index across the 18 holes.
Dormie handles all three steps instantly — enter your Handicap Indexes, the course details, and it calculates everything for you.
Individual matchplay
The classic one-on-one format. Two players compete head-to-head, hole by hole. The player who wins the most holes wins the match — matches end when one player leads by more holes than remain (e.g. "3 & 2" means 3 holes up with 2 to play).
In individual matchplay, both players use 100% of their Course Handicap as their Playing Handicap. The higher-handicap player receives shots equal to the difference, allocated by stroke index. On holes where they receive a shot, their net score is one less than their gross.
This is the format used in R&A and USGA amateur championships, club knockout competitions, and most friendly head-to-head matchplay golf.
100% of Course Handicap for each player. Shot difference = difference between the two Playing Handicaps.
Four-ball matchplay
Four-ball matchplay (also called better-ball) involves two teams of two players. All four players play their own ball on every hole, and each team's score for the hole is the better of their two net scores.
Because the format gives each player a partner to back them up, the WHS reduces handicap allowances compared to singles — this reflects the statistical advantage of having a second ball in play. The lowest handicap among all four players receives 85% of their Course Handicap, and all other players are calculated relative to that player.
Four-ball is one of the most popular social matchplay formats, widely used in society days, club competitions, and events like the Ryder Cup.
The lowest handicap player among all four receives 85% of their Course Handicap. The other three players receive 85% of (their Course Handicap minus the lowest Course Handicap), added to the lowest player's allowance.
Foursomes
In foursomes (also called alternate shot), two-player teams share a single ball, taking turns to play alternate shots. One partner tees off on odd-numbered holes, the other on even-numbered holes — regardless of who holed out on the previous hole.
Because only one ball is in play per team, the handicap allowance is based on the combined handicap of the partnership. Each team's Playing Handicap is 50% of the combined Course Handicaps of both players, with the lower-handicap team giving shots to the higher-handicap team.
Foursomes is a demanding format requiring strong partnership and course management. It features prominently in the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup.
50% of the combined Course Handicaps of both partners. Shot difference = difference between the two teams' combined allowances.
Greensomes
Greensomes is a hybrid of four-ball and foursomes. Both partners tee off on every hole, the team selects the better drive, and then they alternate shots into the hole from there — similar to foursomes.
Because both players drive on every hole, greensomes is generally a little more scoring-friendly than foursomes. The WHS reflects this with a slightly different combined handicap formula: typically 0.6 × the lower Course Handicap + 0.4 × the higher Course Handicap per team.
Greensomes is a popular format for mixed competitions and society days, often preferred over foursomes because all players feel more involved from the tee.
0.6 × lower Course Handicap + 0.4 × higher Course Handicap per team. Shot difference = difference between the two teams' combined allowances.
Common questions about matchplay golf
What does "dormie" mean in matchplay golf?
Dormie is a matchplay golf term for when a player or team is as many holes up as there are holes remaining — meaning they cannot lose the match. For example, if you're 3 up with 3 holes to play, you're dormie. The match can only be halved or won from this point. It's also the name of our app, because that moment is exactly what Dormie helps you reach by keeping every match fair.
How is the Course Handicap calculated for matchplay?
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). You need the Slope Rating and Course Rating for the specific tees you're playing, both of which should be displayed on the scorecard or in the club's handicap system. Dormie lets you enter these values once and save the course for future rounds.
What is a Playing Handicap and how does it differ from Course Handicap?
Your Course Handicap is your Handicap Index adjusted for the course and tees. Your Playing Handicap is your Course Handicap further adjusted for the format being played. In singles matchplay it's 100% of Course Handicap — but in four-ball, foursomes, or greensomes, a percentage allowance is applied to reflect how the format changes scoring probability.
Can you concede holes, putts, or the match in matchplay?
Yes — in matchplay you can concede a putt, a hole, or the entire match at any time. A concession cannot be refused or withdrawn. This is one of the things that makes matchplay golf faster and more strategic than strokeplay; you never have to hole out a tap-in, and you can concede a hole you've already lost to save energy for the next one.
What is the difference between four-ball and foursomes in matchplay golf?
In four-ball (better-ball), all four players play their own ball throughout and the team's score is the better of the two net scores per hole. In foursomes (alternate shot), each team shares one ball and takes turns hitting alternate shots. Four-ball is generally higher-scoring and more popular socially; foursomes is more demanding and requires tight partnership.
How do you work out who gets shots on which holes in matchplay?
Shots are allocated by stroke index (SI), printed on the scorecard. The higher-handicap player receives a shot on each hole whose stroke index is less than or equal to the number of shots they're receiving. For example, if Player A gives Player B 5 shots, Player B receives one extra shot on the 5 holes with the lowest stroke indexes (SI 1–5). Dormie shows exactly which holes receive strokes so there's no ambiguity on the course.
Calculate your matchplay handicap in seconds.
Dormie handles every format — singles, four-ball, foursomes, greensomes — with accurate WHS handicap calculations. Free to download.