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

With match play, players compete to win individual holes, so if you land in an unraked bunker, and need three strokes to get out of it, you simply lose that hole.

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

The top-ranked Korda was tied for fifth place with Narin An when she finished her round, and the top eight advance to match play Saturday.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 5, 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

In my explanation of match play in a later chapter I am going into a detailed account of playing to the score.

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