Ever found yourself in a match where one disastrous hole kills the competition? Or played a round of stroke play that felt a bit… lonely? Enter Medal Match Play, a brilliant golf format that takes the head-to-head excitement of match play and marries it with the every-shot-counts pressure of stroke play. This guide will walk you through exactly what Medal Match Play is, how the scoring works, and arm you with the right strategies to master this intense and incredibly fun game.
At its heart, Medal Match Play is a one-on-one (or two-on-two) competition where, instead of winning a hole to go "1 up," you win the hole by the number of strokes you beat your opponent. The running total throughout the match is the cumulative difference in strokes between you and your opponent.
Think of it as a hybrid answring the big "what ifs" of other formats:
This format creates a unique dynamic. The match is never truly over until the final putt drops. A 5-stroke lead, which would feel nearly insurmountable in regular match play, can vanish with one heroic eagle or one unfortunate trip to the woods.
Medal Match Play follows the basic flow of a regular match, but the scoring is where you need to pay close attention. It’s simple once you get the hang of it. Let’s walk through a three-hole example of a match between "Player A" and "Player B."
You play each hole as you normally would, counting your total strokes from tee to cup. Concessions of short putts are common, just as in regular match play, but remember conceding a putt means accepting the stroke for it (e.g., if you concede a 2-foot putt for par, your opponent's score for the hole is a 4).
This is where the math comes in, but don't worry, it's straightforward. The goal is to keep a running total of the stroke difference.
Here’s our scenario:
You continue this process for all 18 holes. The golfer who is "up" the most strokes at the end of the round is the winner. Unlike standard match play, where a match can end on the 15th green if one player is "4 up with 3 to play," a medal match play contest is always live. Theoretically, a player who is "10 down" heading to the 18th hole could win the match if they make an ace and their opponent scores a 12! (Unlikely, but possible.)
This format demands a different mental approach than any other. Your strategy needs to be fluid, adapting to your position in the match and what your opponent is doing. Sloppy play is punished severely, while brilliant play is handsomely rewarded.
This is the golden rule. In regular match play, you might feel lazy over a 4-foot bogey putt if your opponent is already in for par. You tell yourself, "Doesn't matter, the hole is lost anyway." In medal match play, that thinking is a disaster. Missing that putt means you lose the hole by two strokes instead of one. Saving one stroke by grinding over every last putt can be the difference between winning and losing. You must fight for every shot, on every hole, no matter how grim the situation looks.
Because big swings are always possible, the pressure is constant. A comfortable lead feels less comfortable here. If you’re "4 up," you can't just coast in with conservative bogey golf. If your opponent catches a heater and makes two birdies, your lead is nearly gone. You have to stay engaged and continue to play solid golf to protect your lead stroke by stroke. Conversely, if you're down, don't get discouraged. Hope is never lost. Re-focus and look for an opportunity to post a low number and get right back in it.
Your strategy should change based on the scoreboard:
While not a format you see every day on the PGA Tour (though it does appear, famously in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play final), it’s a tremendous game for average golfers. Here’s why you should give it a try:
From a coaching perspective, this format is incredible for improving your mental game. It forces you to maintain focus on every shot for 18 holes. Because every stroke between you and your opponent directly impacts the score, it’s the perfect way to simulate the pressure of a real stroke-play tournament. It trains you to recover from bad shots and to never take any shot for granted.
Tired of the same old games with your buddies? Medal Match Play is a fantastic alternative. It keeps the round from getting stale, engages both players until the very end, and is a perfect format for a friendly wager where the payout can be based on the final stroke differential.
Ultimately, it’s a pure test of golf skill and mental toughness. There's no hiding. You can’t survive on a couple of lucky holes. Winning a Medal Match Play round means you outplayed your opponent, shot for shot, over 18 holes. It's tough, it’s draining, and it’s one of the most satisfying ways to win a match.
Medal Match Play is a fantastic golf game that blends the direct competition of a match with the score-keeping reality of medal play. It’s an intense format that keeps you locked in from the first tee to the final putt, teaching you the valuable lesson that every single stroke has immense value.
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