What Does It Mean in Golf to Win 4 and 3?

Ever tuned into the Ryder Cup or heard golfers at the club talking about a match finishing 4 and 3 and felt a little out of the loop? You’re not alone. This specific terminology belongs to one of golf’s most exciting formats, match play, and understanding it can open up a whole new appreciation for the game. We’re going to break down exactly what it means to win 4 and 3, how that score is calculated, and how match play differs from the typical way you’re used to keeping score.

First, Understanding the Two Worlds of Golf Scoring

Before any of the numbers make sense, you have to know that golf is generally played in two primary formats: stroke play and match play. Most of the golf you see on TV and likely play with your friends is stroke play.

• Stroke Play: This is the marathon. Every single shot you hit over 18 holes is added up. The person with the lowest total score at the end of a round (or a tournament) is the winner. One disastrous hole, like a 10 on a par-4, can completely derail your entire round. Your opponent for the day isn't really a direct competitor on a hole-by-hole basis, you're playing against everyone else in the field.
• Match Play: This is more like a boxing match. It’s a direct, head-to-head contest between you and one other opponent. Instead of counting up your total score, you compete to win individual holes. The 'round' is a series of 18 separate, one-hole battles. Your final score for the day - like a 78 or a 95 - is completely irrelevant. All that matters is how many more holes you won than your opponent.

Because of this difference, you could technically shoot a 90 and still beat someone who shoots an 85 in match play. How? Maybe you made a few pars to win holes while your opponent’s disastrous triple bogeys all happened on holes that you were already going to lose anyway. In match play, a snowman (an 8) is no worse than a double bogey if both result in losing the hole. That’s what makes it so different and, for many, so much fun.

How Match Play Scoring Works: The Art of "Up," "Down," and "All Square"

In match play, the score is always kept relative to who is leading and by how much. There are three possible outcomes on any given hole:

1. You score lower than your opponent and win the hole.
2. You score higher than your opponent and lose the hole.
3. You and your opponent have the same score, and you halve the hole.

The running tally of the match is described using the terms "up" (for leading), "down" (for trailing), and "all square" (for tied).

A Simple Match Play Scenario

Let's walk through the first few holes of a hypothetical match to see how this works in practice:

• Hole 1: You make a par 4, your opponent makes a bogey 5. You won the hole! The announcer would say you are "1 up" in the match.
• Hole 2: You both make a par 4. The hole is halved, or "pushed." The status of the match doesn't change. You are still "1 up."
• Hole 3: Your opponent makes a birdie 3, and you make a par 4. They won the hole. You lose your one-hole lead, and the match is now tied, or "all square."
• Hole 4: Your opponent wins this hole, too. Now, you are trailing. The status of the match is that you are "1 down."

This continues for the entire round. The score simply reflects the current lead (or deficit) in the ongoing battle of holes won and lost.

Breaking Down "4 and 3": The Winning Formula Explained

Now we get to the heart of the matter. A match ends when one player is "up" by more holes than there are holes left to play. It’s a mathematical certainty - the other player simply cannot catch up. This is where a score like "4 and 3" comes from.

Let's break it down piece by piece:

• The first number, “4”, means the winning player was 4 holes up.
• The second number, “3”, means there were only 3 holes remaining to be played.

Let’s Walk Through the "4 and 3" Victory

Imagine you and a friend are locked in a tight match. You’ve been trading holes back and forth, but you start to pull away on the back nine. You step up to the 15th tee with a 3-hole lead ("3 up").

You play the 15th hole brilliantly, making a solid par. Your opponent struggles and makes a bogey. You have now won the 15th hole.

Since you were already "3 up" and you just won another hole, your lead is now 4 holes. You are "4 up."

At this point, you both stop playing. You shake hands, and the match is over. Why?

After completing the 15th hole, there are only three holes left on the course: the 16th, 17th, and 18th. With a 4-hole lead and only 3 holes to play, victory is a mathematical certainty. Even if your opponent were to play a miracle stretch of golf and win all three of the remaining holes, they could only close the gap by three. You would still be "1 up" at the end.

Since there’s no way for your opponent to win or даже halvethe match, the competition ends immediately right there on the 15th green. The official result is recorded: You won, "4 and 3."

This is standard for all match play finals. A few other common finish scores include:

• 2 and 1: A player was 2 holes up with only 1 hole (the 18th) left to play.
• 5 and 4: The match finished on the 14th green because one player was 5 holes up with only 4 left to play.
• 1 Up: The match went the full 18 holes, with the winner finishing just one hole ahead.

Other Key Match Play Terms You Should Know

Once you understand "4 and 3," you're most of the way there. But there's a little more lingo that will make you sound like a seasoned match play veteran.

Dormie

This is a fantastic and pressure-packed term. A match is "dormie" when one player's lead is equal to the number of holes remaining. For example, if you are "3 up" standing on the 16th tee (with 3 holes to play), you are dormie.It means you cannot lose the match. The worst you can possibly do is halve it. If your opponent wins the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes, you end up all square. You are in a dominant position, and all the pressure is on your opponent to win out just to force a tie.

Concessions

One of the biggest differences in match play is the act of conceding putts (or even holes). If your opponent has a one-foot putt, it’s common sportsmanship to say, "That's good," allowing them to pick up their ball without putting. This keeps the game moving and is a sign of respect.

Concessions can also be strategic. You might concede a short but tricky putt early in the match, hoping that later, when the pressure is on, your opponent won't have the confidence because they haven't had to make one all day. You can even concede an entire hole if your situation is hopeless, allowing both of you to save energy and move on to the next tee.

A Few Simple Strategy Tips for Match Play

Playing match play effectively isn't just about hitting good shots, it’s about playing smarter than your opponent.

• Play the Person, Not Just the Course: Pay attention to your opponent. If they hit their tee shot into the woods, you don't need to try to hit a hero shot. A safe iron off the tee into the fairway suddenly becomes the smartest play in the world.
• Stay Aggressive When Appropriate: Unlike stroke play, one bad hole can’t ruin your day. It just means you lose one hole. This frees you up to take more risks. Considering going for that par-5 in two? In match play, it's often worth the risk. If you pull it off, you might win a hole you were expected to halve. If you fail, you only lose one hole.
• Reset After Every Hole: Whether you just made an eagle to win a hole or a triple bogey to lose one, it only counts as one point in the overall match. The most important hole is always the one you are about to play. A short memory is one of your greatest assets.

Final Thoughts

So, a "4 and 3" victory is a decisive win in match playgolf - a clear conclusion where one player establishes a four-hole lead with only three holes left, making it impossible for their opponent to catch up. It's the unique scoring system of this head-to-head format that makes it one of the most compelling ways to compete on the course.

In a tight match play battle, making the right strategic choice can be just as impactful as hitting a great shot. Knowing whether to play aggressively for a win on a specific hole or take a more conservative route is often the difference between shaking hands with a "1 up" victory or conceding early. When faced with those tough choices, having an expert opinion gives you the confidence to commit. On those occasions, I rely on Caddie AI to deliver quick, smart strategic advice right on the course, helping me analyze the situation and make the assertive decision needed to put pressure on my opponent and clinch the win.