When you ask a friend to play golf, what are you really asking? You might call it a ‘game,’ a ‘round,’ or maybe you've heard the term ‘match’ thrown around. While they all point to getting out on the course, knowing the right lingo and the type of golf match you're playing is the first step toward better strategy and more fun. This guide breaks down exactly what you call a golf match, covering everything from the fundamental competition styles to the popular games you and your buddies can play this weekend.
At its core, nearly every golf competition, from a casual weekend game to the final round of the U.S. Open, boils down to one of two fundamental formats: Stroke Play or Match Play. Understanding the difference between them is fundamental to knowing how golf is scored and played competitively.
Stroke play is the most common format in golf and the one you’re likely most familiar with. It's the standard for professional tournaments you see on TV and the format used for calculating your official golf handicap.
How it works: The rules are beautifully simple. Every stroke you take on every hole counts. You add up your total score after 18 holes, and the player with the lowest total score wins. Whether it’s a tap-in par or a dreaded triple-bogey, every shot gets tallied on the scorecard.
In stroke play, you are essentially competing against every other player in the field simultaneously, with the golf course as the main opponent. One disastrous hole - that snowman ‘8’ on a par-3 - can seriously damage your entire score for the day. Consistency and damage control are everything.
Match play is a completely different animal. It’s a direct, hole-by-hole competition between you and an opponent (or two teams against each other).
How it works: Instead of focusing on your total score for the round, each hole is a separate contest. The player with the lowest score on a given hole wins that hole. If you score a 4 and your opponent scores a 5, you win the hole. If you both score a 4, the hole is "halved" (tied), and no one wins.
The overall winner is the player who wins the most holes, not the one with the lowest total number of strokes. This is where match play becomes so compelling. Had a blow-up hole and made a 10? In stroke play, your round might be over. In match play, the worst you can do is lose that one hole. You can then walk to the next tee with a clean slate.
The score in match play is kept relative to who is leading:
The match ends when one player is "up" by more holes than there are left to play. For instance, if you are "4 up" with only 3 holes remaining, the match is over, and you win "4 & 3."
Beyond the umbrella terms of Stroke Play and Match Play lies a world of fun, friendly games that add a strategic and social twist to a standard round. Calling your buddy for a "golf match" could mean suggesting any one of these. Here are the most popular formats explained.
Popular in charity and corporate outings, a scramble is a team game (usually with four players) focused on teamwork and fun. Every player on the team tees off on each hole. The team then decides which of the tee shots is the best. All players then move their balls to that spot and play their second shots from there. This process continues for every shot until the ball is holed. The team records one score for each hole.
It's incredibly low-pressure and beginner-friendly. Because you're always playing from the best shot, you get more opportunities to hit from good lies in the fairway. It takes the stress out of individual mistakes and speeds up play, making it a fantastic social format.
In a typical "Best Ball" match, you have two teams of two players (making it a "Four-Ball"). Each of the four golfers plays his or her own ball throughout the hole, from tee to green. At the end of the hole, you compare scores. The lower score between the two teammates becomes that team's score for the hole. For example, if you make a 4 and your partner makes a 5, the team score is 4.
Best Ball still gives you the satisfaction of playing your own ball for the entire round, but with a safety net. If you have a bad hole, your partner can bail you out. This encourages more aggressive play, you might try to drive the green or go for a risky pin position, knowing your partner can secure a safe par.
If you've watched the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, you've seen this tense format. Two-person teams play just one ball, taking turns hitting it. Player A tees off on all the odd-numbered holes, and Player B hits the second shot. Then Player A hits the third, and so on. On all the even-numbered holes, Player B hits the tee shot. Coming up with a strategy for who tees off on which holes is a huge part of the game.
Alternate Shot is a true test of partnership and strategy. It can be challenging, as you have to adjust to your partner's shots, but it's also a fast way to get around the course. A great shot feels even better because you've set your partner up for success, but a bad shot can make you feel like you've really let them down!
A "Skins Game" is a match play format where each hole is worth a "skin." A skin is usually a set monetary value or a number of points. To win the skin for a hole, a player must have the outright lowest score among the group. If two or more players tie for the lowest score, the skin is not won. Instead, it "carries over," and the next hole is now worth two skins. This can continue, leading to a high-pressure, high-reward putt on a single hole paying for the whole round.
It makes every single hole feel important and rewards brave, go-for-broke golf. Even if you're having an otherwise rough day, one incredible shot for birdie can win you a valuable skin and change the entire feel of the match.
The Nassau is one of the most classic golf bets, and it's essentially three matches in one round. There are three separate points (or bets) up for grabs:
This is typically played using match play scoring for each nine, as well as the overall. For example, you could lose the front nine 2 & 1, but still have a chance to win the back nine and the overall match.
It’s perfect for keeping a match competitive. Had a disastrous start? Don't worry, you can wipe the slate clean and start a brand-new match on the 10th tee. It breaks the round into manageable, competitive chunks and ensures no one checks out mentally after a few bad holes.
So, what do you call a golf match? The answer is, it depends! It can be a simple "round," but more often it refers to playing under a specific format like Match Play or Stroke Play, or enjoying a friendly game like a Scramble, Best Ball, or Skins. Understanding these formats is not just about sounding like you know the lingo, it's about choosing the right game that fits your group’s skill level and competitive spirit to make every round more engaging.
Choosing the right format is one thing, but executing the right strategy on the course is another matter. Navigating the pressure of a Skins game or deciding when to play aggressively in a Best Ball match is where an expert opinion can be a game-changer. I help you with that right on the course, offering instant strategic advice for any format you're playing. You can ask me for a smart play in your tense Nassau, get a club recommendation during a key Best Ball hole, or even get guidance on how to play a tough lie - all so you can make confident, intelligent decisions, no matter what kind of match you're in. Feel free to give Caddie AI a try and see how playing with less guesswork leads to more fun.
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