Short answer. Match Play is "1v1 or 2v2, hole by hole". Each hole is won, lost or halved, and the match ends the moment one side is up by more holes than remain. The match value is paid from the losing side to the winning side; a halved match pays nothing.
How it works
Ringer walks the holes in order and stops at the first hole either side has not fully posted. In 2 vs 2 a side's score is its better (lower) net ball. Lower score wins the hole; equal scores halve it.
- Clinch. Decided the moment the lead is bigger than the holes left; the result freezes even if both sides keep scoring.
- Dormie. Up by exactly the number of holes left.
- Margins. "4&2" for a match closed early, "2 up" for one decided on the last hole, "AS" for a halved match.
Settings
| Setting | Options | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 1 vs 1 · 2 vs 2 (the toggle appears with 4 or more players) | 1 vs 1 |
| Sides | Side A, Side B, plus a partner for each in 2 vs 2 | you choose |
| How should we score? | Gross · Net (Course strokes) · Net (Off low) | Net, Off low |
| Handicap allowance | 100 / 95 / 90 / 85 / 80 / 75 or Custom | 100% |
| Match value | Dollar amount per side | $10 |
Off low gives the lowest handicap in the match zero strokes and everyone else the difference; in 2 vs 2 the low is the lowest of all four players.
Player count
Two or more players in the field. Sides are one player each, or exactly two each, all in the same tee group. A two-player round with no sides set is paired automatically.
How it's calculated
How the money is split
The match value is a side value: the winning side is +value, the losing side −value, split evenly across each side's players to the cent. A $10 2 vs 2 match moves $10 in total, each winner +$5 and each loser −$5, never $20. A halved or undecided match moves nothing. Match Play is a direct wager and never joins a Banker pot.
Worked example
1 vs 1, $10 match value, Off low at 100%. Alex is a 10, Ben a 6, so Ben plays off zero and Alex receives 4 strokes on stroke index holes 1 to 4.
| Holes | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1–6 | Alex wins 3, Ben wins 1, 2 halved | Alex 2 up |
| 7–12 | Alex wins 2, Ben wins 2 | Alex 2 up thru 12 |
| 13–16 | Alex wins 2, Ben wins 1, 1 halved | Alex 3 up with 2 to play |
The match is decided 3&2 and Ben pays Alex $10. Holes 17 and 18 do not change it.
Who can do this
The Commissioner adds the match and picks the sides. Players see it on the board's Matches module and in My Game. Match Play is single-round; on a trip only the first linked round is scored.
If it doesn't work
- "Choose both Match Play sides before adding the game." Pick a player for every spot.
- "Match Play sides must have the same number of players." Both sides need one player, or both need two.
- "Match players must be in the same tee group. Change the players or edit Groups & tees." Regroup, or pick players from one group.
- "N matches are still on the course." Final results wait for every match to be decided.
More messages are listed in Game error messages, explained.