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

• match player
  noun

Etymology

Origin of match play

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

match play

Rolapp said that the points system would be simplified and that match play could be introduced at either the Tour Championship or for the entire postseason.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

"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

The Ryder Cup can get contentious, at times personal, because of the one-to-one nature of match play.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 30, 2023

It will be seen that for match play the hoops are only 1⁄8 or at the most 3⁄8 in. wider than the diameter of the ball.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various