Match Play vs. Stroke Play

[Brendon]

Vote for which you like better.

Personally, I believe Stroke Play takes more skill and is harder than Match Play is. Stroke Play is what is used in the professional PGA events, and it should stay that way. The Pro AM should have been that way too, at least in my opinion.

[RichF]

Vote for which you like better.

+1

I can never get 'into' The Ryder Cup formats at all...

[Brendon]

+1

Completely agree. Because neither can I.

[Clambake]

Personally, I believe Stroke Play takes more skill and is harder than Match Play is. Stroke Play is what is used in the professional PGA events, and it should stay that way. The Pro AM should have been that way too, at least in my opinion.

I disagree and feel that match play is more difficult. It is true that match play can mask a really bad hole where stroke play would count each shot, but in match play the player has to play against both the course AND his opponent. A player can determine a game plan in stroke play which he'll follow each round in a tourney (Tiger is a great example of this), but in match play one needs to also adapt during each round according to what the opponent is doing. It is a much more cerebral form of golf, requiring a lot more thinking on the fly.

Also, it should be noted that stroke play hasn't always been used in professional play. For years much of the pro tourneys were match play, and stroke play only started to become more prevalent with the advent of TV and the exploding economics of the game. Match play isn't as TV-friendly and it doesn't accommodate the size of the fields seen in most tourneys (think of how many rounds are needed to narrow down 154 players into a final group!), so as the economics changed so dramatically with TV it was necessary to move away from match play. Stroke play makes for better TV, but match play makes for a stronger sporting challenge, and it brings in the head-to-head element of great battles like Magic & Bird, Ali & Holmes, etc.

[JWL1957]

I love match play.

[wrx_junki]

I prefer to play match play with my friends seems more competitive that way.

[BonoVox]

I like both.

[Frank-0-Sport]

Greetings ...

If we're talking about match play among touring professionals, I prefer the Biennial Team Competitions (Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup) over individual events. Strictly IMHO there's more drama for the public to take in with team play than with individual play.

If we're talking about a normal individual professional tour event, I prefer to see it contested with either stroke or stableford scoring.

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Sport

[tterrag]

Well, if I understand correctly, all golf used to be played in the match play format. I don't know about you, but I prefer this format. It seems to be a lot more competitive. I have had some experience in match play, at the Nike Cup (junior event where Georgia plays Alabama), and my record in singles has been 7.0.1. I haven't lost in over 4 years. What do you think?

[bkoguy07]

i think you full of crap!


nah jk but I agree I think match play is pretty cool and should be played like this with friends.. I like the PGA layout though with the pros

[Fourputt]

I prefer to play match play, but it doesn't work as well for live TV, which is is a big reason why there aren't more match tournaments on the Tour. A match can end on the 10th hole if one player has a really bad day, and that leaves a lot of dead time for the TV coverage to fill. Too often many of the top players will be gone by the 2nd or 3rd bracket, so interest wanes. But on the plus side, match play offers more immediate gratification.... one stipulated round and the match is decided, then on the the next opponent. You know who wins, and who goes home without having to wait around for several days.

Match play is is how the game originated, and it's still the purest form of golf. Just you and your opponent and the golf course. Disputes about the rules are usually settled between you without outside interference, and whatever you decide stands. No worry about anyone second guessing you later... even if you are both mistaken on the procedure, it doesn't matter. Once you tee off on the next hole, the score stands unless your opponent registers a proper claim before then. You can even choose to ignore a rules breach by your opponent without incurring any penalty. It makes the game so much simpler.

[Blades4me]

I like both, but imo, match play is multi dimentional and subsequently tougher.

[alf174]

+1 for Match Play when competing. Stroke play when only playing the course.

[ghalfaire]

I voted for Match play although I play more stroke (metal?) rounds. I like the match format because you can have a bad hole and still play well enough to win. Usually a single stroke can't ruin the day like in stroke play. I even think the TV is just as good and in some way more exciting to watch with match play.

[Heroe123]

Completely situational for me. I loved playing in tournaments where your qualifying rounds were stroke play narrowing the field down to 16 players to go into a brutal 3 days of match play. But, the match play was always the best.

[Shorty]

I prefer to play match play, but it doesn't work as well for live TV,

I think you are right about that, except in the Ryder or Presidents' Cups.

With the WGC matchplay, day by day it seems more like a ghost town and unless you have a particular interest in one of the finalists, it can be an atmosphere free zone. Can't imagine the 2010 WGC final rating that well in the U.S.