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How It Works
Each hole is its own contest. The player with the lower net score on a hole wins that hole. Whoever wins the most holes wins the match. The running score is expressed as "X UP" (leading by X holes) or "X DN" (trailing). A tied match is called "All Square" (AS).
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Winning the Match
A match ends as soon as one player leads by more holes than remain. For example, "3 & 2" means 3 holes up with 2 to play — the match is over. If still tied after 18, the match is halved and money is typically not exchanged.
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Options & Variations
Bet-per-player (default $20). Presses (default off, $10) add a fresh bet for the remaining holes when a player falls behind. Handicaps: Index on Low HC (on) with a percentage (0/50/75/85/100%, default 100) and Full or Half strokes; harder holes give strokes first under standard USGA allocation, so a course handicap over 18 earns a second stroke on the hardest holes. With 3+ players you can run every pairing or enable just a subset of matches.
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Payouts
The winner collects the full bet. A halved match (tied after 18) exchanges no money.
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Pro Tips
•A bad hole only costs you one — unlike stroke play, there are no blowup numbers that wreck your card.
•Play the match, not the scorecard. Concede holes strategically to preserve energy for the ones that matter.
•Momentum swings fast. Winning two in a row can shift the entire complexion of a match.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does match play scoring work?
You win, lose, or halve each hole on score alone — the margin doesn't matter. The match score tracks holes up ("2 up"), and the match ends when a player leads by more holes than remain, like winning 3&2 (3 up with 2 to play).
How do handicaps work in match play?
The higher-handicap player gets the difference in course handicaps as strokes, allocated to the hardest holes by stroke index. A 5-stroke difference means a net stroke on the five hardest holes — the giver of strokes plays the rest straight up.
What does 3&2 mean?
The winner was 3 holes up with only 2 holes left, making the match mathematically over — you can't come back from 3 down with 2 to play. The remaining holes typically aren't played for the match (though side bets may keep them alive).
What happens if a match ends tied?
In casual money matches a tie usually just splits the bet. Formal competitions go to extra holes or award a half-point each in team formats like a Ryder Cup-style weekend.