Match Play vs. Stroke Play (Rule 3): Winning Holes, Concessions, Gross and Net Scores
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How we wrote this: A plain-English summary of Rule 3 of the Rules of Golf as published by The R&A (the same Rules the USGA publishes), checked October 29, 2026. Read the official Rule text for every detail.
Every golf competition is defined by three choices, Rule 3 says:
- Form of play: match play or stroke play.
- How players compete: as individuals, or as partners on a side (Foursomes and Four-Ball, Rules 22–23), or in teams (Rule 24).
- How players score: gross (no handicap strokes) or net (handicap strokes applied so players of different abilities can compete fairly). See how a Handicap Index works.
Match play vs. stroke play
| Match play | Stroke play | |
|---|---|---|
| You compete against | One opponent, hole by hole | Everyone, by total score |
| Score that matters | Holes won, lost or tied | Total strokes, including penalty strokes |
| General penalty | Loss of hole | Two strokes |
| Concessions | Allowed | Not allowed: you must hole out |
Rule 21 covers other stroke play scoring methods: Stableford, Maximum Score and Par/Bogey.
Winning and tying in match play
- You win a hole by completing it in fewer strokes than your opponent, or if your opponent gets the general penalty.
- A hole is tied ("halved") if you take the same number of strokes, or you both agree to a tie after at least one of you has played a stroke on that hole.
- You win the match when you lead by more holes than remain (for example 3 up with 2 to play), or when your opponent concedes.
- A tied match is extended one hole at a time until someone wins, unless the Terms of the Competition say it ends in a tie.
Concessions
A player may concede the opponent's next stroke (the "gimme"), a hole or the match, as long as it's before that stroke is made, the hole is completed, or the match is decided. A concession counts only when it's clearly communicated, in words or by an action such as a gesture. If your opponent lifts their ball because they reasonably misunderstood something as a concession, there's no penalty, and the ball is replaced. Players can't agree to concede holes to each other just to shorten the match.
Your responsibilities
In match play, you must tell your opponent how many strokes you've taken when asked, and tell them when you get a penalty. Giving the wrong number can cost you the hole. In stroke play, a marker records your score. After the round, both you and the marker must certify each hole score, and you must return the scorecard to the Committee. In a handicap match, players should tell each other their handicaps before starting, and declaring one that's too high can mean disqualification.
Related: the spirit of the game and penalties, resolving Rules issues, teeing and order of play.