What is "match play"

Match play \Match play\ (Golf) Play in which the score is reckoned by counting the holes won or lost by each side; -- distinguished from medal play.

n. 1 (context golf English) A scoring system in which points are awarded for each hole won, as opposed to stroke play. 2 (context bowling English) A knockout competition between two single bowlers. 3 (context sports English) The playing of a competitive match, as opposed to training and practice.

n. golf scoring by holes won

Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes. In professional golf, a small number of notable tournaments use the match play scoring system.