Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A play-off is the additional competition used to decide a winner when a competition is tied. In match play, the Rules describe the tied match as being extended one hole at a time; a stroke-play play-off is a new round, with the Terms of the Competition setting the method.
How it matters in match play
If a match is tied after the final scheduled hole, it is normally extended one hole at a time until a player wins a hole. The holes are played in the same order unless the Committee sets another order. In a handicap match, handicap strokes continue according to the Committee's stroke-index allocation unless the Terms of the Competition say otherwise.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Play-off |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | Rules of Golf 3.2a(4), 3.2c(2) and 5.1 |
| Related concepts | Match Play, Extra Hole, Extended Match, Sudden-Death Play-off, Tiebreaker |
Worked example
Alex and Ben are all square after 18 holes; the Committee sends them to the 1st hole, and Alex wins that extra hole, so Alex wins the play-off and the match.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf 3.2a(4), 3.2c(2) and 5.1
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is a play-off the same as an Extra Hole?
Not exactly. An Extra Hole is one additional hole; a play-off is the deciding procedure, which may use one or more Extra Holes. In match play, the Rules describe this as extending the tied match one hole at a time.
How does a match-play play-off normally work?
The players continue one hole at a time until one wins a hole. The holes normally follow the round's order, but the Committee may set a different order in the Terms of the Competition.
Do handicap strokes reset in a match-play play-off?
Do not assume they reset. The stroke-index allocation set by the Committee normally determines where handicap strokes are given or received on extra holes, unless the Terms of the Competition provide another method.
Can a tied match be decided by a stroke-play play-off?
The USGA handicap guidance says a tie in match play should not be decided by a stroke-play play-off. The competition's Terms should state whether the match can end tied or specify a different play-off method.
Is a match-play play-off a new round?
No. Under Rule 5.1, extra holes for a tied match are a continuation of the same round. The Rules distinguish this from a stroke-play play-off, which is a new round.
Does every tied match have a play-off?
Not necessarily. The Terms of the Competition may allow the match to end tied or may prescribe a different method, so players should check those Terms before starting.