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A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.

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 authorised
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
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.