What Does Match Play Mean in Golf?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
Play & formats
Golf term
Match play
Match play in practice
Scores are shown as "3 and 2" (three up with two to play). Match play encourages bolder strategy — you can gamble on one hole knowing the worst case is losing just that hole. The Ryder Cup is match play.
Related terms
Lost in the lingo? Browse the full golf glossary.
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