Holywell Bay Golf Club
Cornwall
• Par 70
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Best UK Golf Courses for Match Play Golf
Match play is a fundamentally different game from stroke play. The objective is not to minimise your total score but to win individual holes — and that changes every strategic decision on the course. Aggressive plays that would be reckless in a medal round become sensible in match play when you are two down with six to play. The best courses for match play are those with genuine risk-reward decisions on multiple holes: driveable par 4s, reachable par 5s, and holes where the bold line is genuinely rewarded.
Strategic context
The key strategic principle in match play is to adapt your aggression level to the match situation. When you are ahead, play conservatively and let your opponent make mistakes. When you are behind, take calculated risks to create birdie opportunities. Never concede a hole by playing safe when you need to win it — but equally, never give a hole away with an unnecessary gamble when a half is valuable.
12 courses found
Seascale Golf Club
Cumbria
• Par 70
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Lough Neagh Golf Club
Tyrone
• Par 70
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Montrose Golf Links Golf Club
Angus
• Par 70
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Alness Golf Club
Highland
• Par 71
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Littlestone Golf Club
Kent
• Par 71
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Caistor Golf Club
Lincolnshire
• Par 71
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Lochmaben Golf Club
Dumfries and Galloway
• Par 70
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Aberystwyth Golf Club
Ceredigion
• Par 70
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Swanston New Golf Club
Lothian
• Par 70
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Reay Golf Club
Highland
• Par 70
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Woolacombe & Mortehoe Golf Club
Devon
• Par 70
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is match play strategy different from stroke play?
In stroke play, every shot counts equally and the priority is to avoid big numbers. In match play, you only need to beat your opponent on each hole, so the risk-reward calculation changes completely. You can afford to be more aggressive when you need to win a hole, and more conservative when protecting a lead.
What is the best format for a match play competition?
Singles match play is the purest format. For team events, foursomes (alternate shot) and four-ball (best ball) are the classic formats used in the Ryder Cup and Walker Cup. Foursomes is the most demanding format as both players must work together on every shot.