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

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

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

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

The first three rounds are stroke play to determine the seedings for match play, which is played over the weekend.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 5, 2024

"The Play's the thing," and in match play a good defeat is far more creditable than a hollow victory.

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