In the world of golf, no game setting is more interesting than the Match Play golf format. Two players are ready to get in a head-on battle to get the title of the best golfer among themselves. This is what the true spirit of golf is all about.
The legend of pros vs. beginners
In the world of golf, only two battles are worth talking about. The pro golfers vs. the beginner level golfers. The first ones usually play among themselves to boast about their skills in the game. The second is always pursuing a chance to be labeled as the best in their work.
So, this automatically leads to the build-up of a friendly conflict between pro and beginner golfers all around the globe. And what format do they usually choose when they come face to face? That's right, the 'Match Play' golf format.
What exactly is a ‘Match Play’?
The ‘Match play’ golf format is pretty easy to understand yet highly competitive when looking for a competitive game of golf. Throughout the round, the golfers will hit their very own balls. The match will end when both of the golfers reach the target goal.
Now, if one golfer has a lower hit score to reach the goal, the point is awarded to him/her. In case both the golfers have reached the goal with the same hit score, then either no point will be given or both the golfers will split the point in the half.
The core rule of a Match Play
The core rule of a Match Play revolves around your ability to reach the goal with a lower score. For example, if one golfer gets to the goal with a 12-hit score and the other golfer gets to the same goal with a ten-hit score, the latter will be awarded the point.
Why? Well, this is because the latter one has been able to reach the goal by hitting the ball only ten times. On the other hand, the opponent required 12 hits for the ball before finally reaching the goal. That concludes the winner for a round.
What decides a winner?
So, you know what decides the winner for a round of Match Play format. But what about the complete game? What decides the final winner of the match? Well, there are two scenarios under which the winner can be decided.
First, if the set rounds are completed, and both golfers tally the final score, the one having a lower score becomes the winner. Both golfers will set the number of rounds through a mutual discussion.
The second condition is when one of the golfers reaches a point where there is no way the other golfer can reach the lead mathematically. In that case, the game automatically comes to a stop with one final winner.
Gross Match Play
Now the Match Play can be played by following one of the two ways of counting the score. The first one is the Gross Match Play, where the handicaps are not considered, and the scores are calculated either way.
This means one more thing, the scores won't be adjusted. This rule will not be applicable to single goals alone but to the whole points adjustment in the end as well.
Net Match Play
The Net or the NET Match Play format is the complete opposite of the Gross Match Play with some additions. When the match is concluded under the banner of Net, the score of each golfer is adjusted in the end. This is done after each hole and according to the handicap rule.
Once the Net scores are finalized, the winner will be decided on the comparative basis of these scores. This rules out the mathematical advantage rule, as the end result, is calculated once all the rounds are finalized.
Adjusting for the Net Match Play
So here’s a more in-depth analysis of the Net Match Play score calculation as things can get quite tricky to calculate once the handicap is involved.
The whole procedure begins with each golfer declaring his/her own handicap. Once the handicaps are declared, the difference between them is calculated. The golfer that gets the highest score will receive an extra stroke. The number of holes that will get the stroke will be determined by the calculated difference number in the first place.
How to Play on a New Golf Course for the First Time
Here's an example through which you can better understand this concept. If player X declares five handicaps and player Y declares ten handicaps, player Y will be given free strokes on holes having difficulty ranging from 1-5.
What makes this format great?
The Match Play format eventually leads to a system where a winning match can lead to the success of the player in moving on to the next round or to getting ab advantage. Now, this type of format is excellent for the kind of tournaments where the ladder system is required to get an ultimate winner.
Also, if one golfer is facing difficulty at one hole, he/she can practically transfer that hole to the opponent. Can't forget to mention that the group will only be made up of two golfers, which makes things more competitive and decisive in the long run.
Variations of the Match Play
There is only one variation of the Match Play that is followed throughout international tournaments. This is played in a team of two where the two players in a team work together on the basis of points distribution in order to compete with the other team.
The whole point of playing in four balls is to wind up the tournament on a competitive note and get the maximum competitive score. Is this variation even effective in the long run? Well, yes, especially when the game dynamics are built to be efficient in accordance with a fixed time slot.
Final Note
Golf is truly a game of precision and a will to make it through, no matter what the odds are. The main reason why this game is regarded as the game of professionals and gentlemen throughout the globe is. Now, the format that aids the competitive dynamics of golf is the Match Play format.
The rules of point distribution can get tricky and everything at the time, but that is something worth understanding for the sake of the game.
Enrique Martínez Luque
Enrique Martínez Luque is the Argentina-based golf expert and professional writer. He built his career in the world of golf taking a number of positions. Enrique was the manager of a golf club, director at a federation level, an agent for professional golfers and director institutional relations on the Argentinian Tour. Assissted the professional golfers on major tours for almost 20 years. Worked as the press officer of national and international golf tournaments.
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