match play

American  

noun

Golf.

1. play in which the score is reckoned by counting the holes won by each side.

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match play British  

noun

1. golf Compare Stableford stroke play

   1. scoring according to the number of holes won and lost

   2. ( as modifier )

      a matchplay tournament

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• match player
  noun

Etymology

Origin of match play

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Mark Fine, who has co-written a book about bunkers, says the increased use of rakes after World War I was the result of a shift from match play to stroke play.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

If this were 1974, TV fans could have seen this knock-down, grudge match play out in real time.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2024

"I've played in a few. I love playing match play."

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2024

Excerpts from a women’s soccer match play on a screen; she says nothing, her slouching body in silent contrast to the athletes’ lean physiques.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2024

Physical fitness is one of the great essentials of match play.

From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem