This sheet is intended to provide an overview of NIHGA Match Play Competition. In no way does it cover all rules, situations, or strategies. Helpful links are provided at the bottom of this document for additional details regarding rules and strategies.    

Format 

The match is played with 2-person teams that are opposing another 2-person team of similar skill level in a head-to-head competition. Players play from the same tees used throughout the season. As a team, you are encouraged to work with and advise your partner in reading greens, selecting clubs, and strategizing play so far as you do not breech any other rules in the process.

Handicaps 

Foursomes will be given personalized scorecards with the number of strokes their partner and opponents are allocated for the round with an asterisk for each stroke given on a specific hole.  The number of strokes given to you is based on the difference between your handicap and the handicap of the golfer with the lowest handicap among the four players.  

Scoring   

In match play the result of the hole or match is decided as follows: 

Your team wins the hole when:

  • You or your partner complete the hole in fewer net strokes than either or your opponents, 
  • Your opponent concedes the hole, or
  • Both opponents get penalties that result in the loss of the hole. 

Teams tie the hole when the lowest net strokes for the hole are the same for both teams 

You win the match when:

  • You lead your opponent by more holes than remain to be played, 
  • Your opponent concedes the match, or 
  • Both of your opponents are disqualified. 

If your match is tied after the 18th hole, the match will be determined by a putting contest, as follows. The members of each side will go to the nearest practice green. A location will be selected by the 2 sides in concert, about 30 feet from the hole. A coin flip will determine which side goes first. One person from the side that won the coin toss will putt first.  He/she will mark his/her ball. Then one person from the opposing side will putt to the same hole. Putting will continue with the farthest person putting next until the ball is holed by both sides. Whichever team took the least number of putts wins the playoff. If there is a tie, the other two people from each side will putt from the same area to see which side wins. If there is still no winner, both sides will pick another hole and go through the rotation until there is a winner.

Match Play Rules

Match play rules can get complicated, and it is highly unlikely that any player knows all rules. You should familiarize yourself with the rules in this document and watch the recommended videos at the links provided below. 

If you are in the middle of your match, and you are unsure of what to do in a certain situation, ask your opponent before taking any action. Opponents are encouraged to share their knowledge of the rules to prevent unintentional breaches of rules to the extent possible. If you and your opponents can agree on what to do, the outcome you agreed to will be conclusive even if it is wrong.  

If you cannot come to agreement, you may request a ruling from the NIHGA Board after the match is complete. You must notify your opponent that you are making a claim, agree to the facts of the situation and make it clear that you will be asking for a ruling from the Board.  This option should be used as a last resort.

Ignoring Breach of Rules

Unlike stroke play, you may overlook a breach of rules by your opponent.  The reason for this is that only you, or your side, are affected. It does not affect any other entrant in the match play competition.  However, if you agree to waive penalties in advance, both sides are disqualified. For this reason, you must not mention the breach to your opponent. If you do mention the breach and still ignore the breach, both sides are disqualified.  

Penalties

The general penalty for breach of rules in match play is “loss of hole”. Because you are playing with a partner, a “loss of hole” penalty applies only to the person who breached the rule.  It does not mean your side loses the hole.  The person that breached the rule records no score for that hole.  The partner still records their score, unless they, too, independently breached a rule.  

USGA penalties for match play are different from stroke play for the following:  

  • No penalty for hitting a ball at rest on the green when you are putting. Simply move the ball that was hit back to its original location and play the putted ball from where it stopped.
  • Hitting the wrong ball results in loss of hole. There is no penalty to your partner even if the ball you hit belonged to them.
  • Hitting outside the teeing ground, your opponent may cancel your stroke and make you replay your shot.  

The following NIHGA amended stroke play rules also apply to our match play outing.   

  • Winter Rules (move the ball up to 6” in your own fairway), 
  • Forced Carry (drop on other side after one attempt to cross), and 
  • Ready Golf (except on the putting green).  

The following NIHGA amended stroke play rules do not apply to our match play outing.

  • NO Maximum Score.  Instead of a maximum score, you have the option to not finish the hole, and effectively take loss of hole.
  • NO Mandatory 18” Gimmes.  Conceding putts (gimmes) is key to match play strategy. You or your partner may concede a putt of any length to your opponent. The concession must be clearly articulated to your opponent. Once a concession is made, it cannot be withdrawn or declined.  Once a putt is conceded, your opponent must stop putting and immediately pick up his/her ball. The conceded putt counts as one stroke.
  • NO Ready Golf for Putting.  Putting order is very important to the strategy of match play. The side that is farthest from the hole must putt first.  A side may allow the nearer partner to putt first when it is their turn to putt. If your side putts out of order, your opponent may choose to ignore the breach or they may recall your putt and make you putt again when it is your turn.  Why would your opponent choose to ignore your breach?  If you missed the putt, of course. 

Knowing the number of strokes all four players have taken is vital to your team’s strategy.  As such, you must tell your opponent of any penalty strokes taken as soon as practicable and must tell your correct score whenever asked.  If you make a mistake in reporting your score for the hole, you must correct it before your opponent takes his/her next stroke, If not, you incur a penalty of “loss of hole”. If you report the wrong score at the end of the hole, you must correct it before anyone tees off at the next hole or incur a “loss of hole” penalty. Exception: you do not lose the hole if your incorrect score had no effect on the result of the hole.

Other Items 

Dangerous Conditions: In the event of dangerous weather or medical conditions, both sides will suspend play immediately and seek shelter or medical attention, as needed. If you are unable to resume play, the winner will be whichever side was ahead at the time play was suspended.

Incomplete Round: If you need to drop out of the contest, your partner may continue to play solo. If your partner also drops out of the contest, you concede the match to your opponents.

Late Arrival

A late player may catch up with his/her partner and will not play any missed holes. Once a late player’s group has left the teeing area, the late player catching up with his/her partner must wait until the next hole to join the group. The partner plays solo on any holes the late player misses.

Helpful Links 

USGA Four Ball Match strategies (1.5-minute video) 

USGA Rule 23 Four Ball  (5-page document) 

Golf Monthly: 7 Match Play Rules You Must Know (8-minute video)  Please note that NIHGA uses Ready Golf in match play except on the green

Golfswing 5 Winning Strategies for Match Play (7- minute video)