Match Play Terminology Match Play: A golf competition where players compete one against another, rather than one against the field as in stroke play. Opponents compete to win individual holes, and the player who wins the most holes wins the match. A winning score of 3 and 2 means that the winner won by 3 holes with 2 left to play. Halved Hole: A hole is halved when each side holes out in the same number of strokes. All Square: In match play competition, "all square" means the match is tied--each side has won the same number of holes as the other side, or when each hole has been halved. Dormie: A match-play match is said to be "dormie" when one of the players achieves a lead that matches the holes remaining (i.e., 3 holes up with 3 holes to play), thus assuring himself of at least a halve. The player who is trailing can only hope to tie in regulation, but cannot win. When a match reaches this state, it is said to "go dormie" or to have "gone dormie." The player in the lead has "taken the match dormie." Conceded putt: A conceded putt is one that the opponent has said that you don't have to putt out; she has conceded that the other person will make the putt. Very important: Conceded putts are legal only in match play. They are illegal in stroke play. And conceded putts are solely at the discretion of the opposing player. They should only be offered, not requested. Conceded hole or match: A player may concede a hole or a match at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or the match. Concession of a stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn. Reckoning of Hole (status of match) : Reckoning of holes is kept by the terms: so many "holes up," or "all square" and so many "holes to play." Match Play Golf - Spectator Tips If you have never watched a match play tournament before, you are in for a treat. But there are some very distinct differences. This is not stroke play golf and as such matches can end anywhere on the course including as far back as the 11 th hole. Unlike stroke play golf you will need to physically follow a match in order to truly appreciate the golf. Earlier in the week you can sit at a hole and watch a number of matches come through but later in the weekend when there only four or two matches you will not see a lot of golf and you will not appreciate the true nature of matchplay. Early in the week pick a spot on the front nine and watch all the groups come through. Then when the last group has played through the front nine move to a hole in the middle of the back nine such as 15 or 16. Most matches will end around the 15 th or 16 th holes and this will allow you to see the conclusion or a key point in a number of matches. If there is a particularly close match you can always follow it in until its conclusion. Do not sit at 18 waiting for golf to come to you. It is quite possible that you will never see any golf if you sit and wait at the 18th hole. Put on your comfortable clothes and shoes and pick your favorite player and start walking.