What is medal play in golf?
Medal play in golf is also known as strokeplay, and each player’s score in strokeplay is simply the total number of strokes that player takes to complete the round. The player’s medal score may be gross or net, depending upon whether the competition is using handicaps or not. If the competition is using handicaps, then the player’s score is adjusted by his or her handicap to get his or her net medal score.
Medal play is therefore distinct from matchplay. In matchplay each player takes on his or her opponents over a round aiming to win as many holes as possible. The player – or in the case when two golfers team up in formats such as foursomes or fourballs, the team – with the lowest score on the hole, wins. If the scores are equal on the hole then that hole is halved.
Medal play in golf is also distinct from Stableford competitions. Stableford is a popular format, especially on society or golf days. In Stableford competitions points are awarded for the score on each hole and these are totalled for the round and the player with the most Stableford points wins.
All of the men’s golf’s Majors – The Open Championship, US Open, US PGA Championship and The Masters – are competed for in medal play, as are the women’s Majors.
The US PGA Championship used to be a matchplay competition, but it changed to strokeplay in 1958. The leading team competitions, such as the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Solheim Cup, Presidents Cup and so on, are played as matchplay competitions.
Why is it called medal play in golf?
The most prestigious golf competitions these days, at club or professional level, tend to be played as strokeplay competitions. Often the winner was given a medal, and it used to be that the winner of the competition was called the Medallist. Thus strokeplay competitions also came to be known as medal competitions.
-
LIV Golf's Henrik Stenson Wins Car For A Fan At Port Adelaide Aussie Rules MatchThe Majesticks GC co-captain completed a golfing challenge during Port Adelaide's home game against St Kilda
-
Making The Cut's Not Enough - LET Pro Details How Finishing Outside Of The Top-25 Can Actually See Players LOSE MoneyHannah Gregg has described how even making the cut can see her lose money for a tournament week due to the worrying lack of prize funds on the LET
