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

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

The Ryder Cup takes place every two years and sees 24 of the best players from Europe and the United States go head-to-head over three days in match play competition.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Rachel Heck delivered the final point in a 3-2 victory and the celebration was on for Stanford, the No. 1 team and the top seed going into match play.

From Seattle Times • May 22, 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

Training for match play is rather a difficult subject for me to write about, for I have never gone in for proper "training."

From Lawn Tennis for Ladies by Lambert Chambers, Mrs.