Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
In golf match play, down describes a player's or side's deficit in holes won. Being 1 down means the opponent leads by one hole; being 2 down means the opponent leads by two. It is a match score, not a count of total strokes.
How it matters in match play
Down is used with the number of holes separating the sides: Alex is 1 down when Ben has won one more hole than Alex. The deficit can change after every hole, including to All Square. It does not by itself show whether the match is close to being decided; the number of holes remaining matters under Rule 3.2a.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Down |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | Rules of Golf Rule 3.2a |
| Related concepts | Up, Lead, All Square, Won Hole, Lost Hole |
Worked example
After 12 holes, Ben has won five holes, Alex has won three and six are halved, so Alex is 2 down; if Alex wins the 13th hole, the match becomes 1 down.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf Rule 3.2a
Sources: www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
What does 1 down mean in golf match play?
It means the opponent leads by one hole. For example, if Ben has won four holes and Alex has won three, with the other holes tied, Alex is 1 down.
Is being down the same as being behind by strokes?
No. Match play is decided by holes won, lost or tied, not by the total number of strokes across the round. A player can be down even if the stroke totals look close.
Can a player who is down still win the match?
Yes, if enough holes remain. A player can recover the deficit by winning later holes. Under Rule 3.2a, the match ends when one side leads by more holes than remain, unless it is extended under the applicable competition terms.