Rules of Golf - Rule 2: Match Play
2-1. General
A match consists of one side playing against another over a stipulated
round unless otherwise decreed by the Committee.
In match play the game is played by holes.
Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, a hole is won by the side
that holes its ball in the fewer strokes. In a handicap match the lower
net score wins the hole.
The state of the match is expressed by the terms: so many “holes up’’ or
“all square,’’ and so many “to play.’’
A side is “dormie’’ when it is as many holes up as there are holes
remaining to be played.
2-2. Halved
Hole
A hole is halved if each side holes out in the same number of strokes.
When a player has holed out and his opponent has been left with a stroke
for the half, if the player subsequently incurs a penalty, the hole is
halved.
2-3. Winner of
Match
A match is won when one side leads by a number of holes greater than the
number remaining to be played.
If there is a tie, the Committee may extend the stipulated round by as
many holes as are required for a match to be won.
2-4.
Concession of Next Stroke, Hole or Match
A player may concede his opponent’s next stroke at any time provided the
opponent’s ball is at rest. The opponent is considered to have holed out
with his next stroke and the ball may be removed by either side.
A player may concede a hole at any time prior to the start or conclusion
of that hole.
A player may concede a match at any time prior to the start or
conclusion of that match.
A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.
(Ball overhanging hole — see Rule 16-2.)
2-5. Doubt as
to Procedure; Disputes and Claims
In match play, if a doubt or dispute arises between the players, a
player may make a claim. If no duly authorized representative of the
Committee is available within a reasonable time, the players must
continue the match without delay. The Committee may consider a claim
only if the player making the claim notifies his opponent (i) that he is
making a claim, (ii) of the facts of the situation and (iii) that he
wants a ruling. The claim must be made before any player in the match
plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of
the match, before all players in the match leave the putting green.
A later claim may not be considered by the Committee unless it is based
on facts previously unknown to the player making the claim and he had
been given wrong information (Rules 6-2a and 9) by an opponent.
Once the result of the match has been officially announced, a later
claim may not be considered by the Committee unless it is satisfied that
the opponent knew he was giving wrong information.
2-6. General
Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in match play is loss of hole except
when otherwise provided.
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