Written by: Darin Green, Senior Director of Rules & Competitions
With the 125th U.S. Amateur taking place this week at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, it’s the perfect time to talk about golf’s oldest format, match play.
Long before stroke play took over as the standard, match play was the game. In this format, the goal isn’t to post the lowest overall score, it’s to win more holes than your opponent. Each hole is a fresh contest: win it and you go “1 up,” lose it and you’re “1 down.” The pressure resets every tee shot, rewarding momentum, consistency, and smart decision-making just as much as shot-making ability.
Match Play and the Rules of Golf
Match play stands apart when it comes to the Rules of Golf. Instead of competing against an entire field, it’s one player against another. And here’s something many golfers don’t realize, the Rules will often accept an agreement between opponents, as long as neither knew it was against the Rules.
For example, say two players agree to play from different set of tee markers than the Committee assigned, not realizing it’s not allowed. In match play, the match result would still stand. In stroke play, however, both players would be disqualified.
The Role of the Referee
At the U.S. Amateur, every match has a referee. Their job? Apply the Rules, handle disputes, and step in when there’s doubt. It’s a role that demands focus, because match play can turn on a single ruling, much like a referee’s call in other sports.
A Few Examples That Make Match Play Unique
- Playing Out of Turn
Stroke play encourages “ready golf” to keep things moving. Match play is different, if you play out of turn without agreement, your opponent can cancel your shot and make you replay it. Of course, if you both agree, you can still use ready golf to your advantage. - Playing the Wrong Ball
In match play, hitting your opponent’s ball means you lose the hole, no second chances. In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes and you must correct the mistake. - Taking Risks
Because matches are decided hole by hole, players may take more chances. Attempting a tough shot from a penalty area, for instance, knowing that losing a hole isn’t the end of the match. - No Scorecard Required
Match results are final when reported and accepted by the Committee. No signed scorecard needed, just the official result. - Concessions
A player may concede the match, the hole, or their opponent's next stroke nearly any time. A concession may not be rescinded. Concessions are normally used to speed up the match by conceding short putts or conceding the hole once it is clear that their opponent will eventually win the hole. Concessions are sometimes used strategically as well. For instance, a player may concede several short putts early in the round and then make their opponent putt them later in the round. - Sportsmanship at the Core
Golf is a game of honor. Players are expected to call penalties on themselves and concede putts when appropriate. In match play, where a referee may not be present for every moment, that integrity often defines the match as much as the golf itself.
Match play is more than a scoring method, it’s a contest of strategy, psychology, and trust. Every decision, whether to attack a pin, concede a putt, or play it safe carries immediate weight. And in this format, the Rules of Golf aren’t just there to keep order. They can be part of your strategy.
