Rules,
Format and Terminology
The Rules of Golf which govern play are determined by the United States Golf Association
and applied by The Professional Golfers' Association of America.
Match Play, including foursomes (two-man teams in alternate shot), fourball
(two-man teams in better ball) and singles (18 holes at match play). The order
of play during the first two days of competition (foursomes or four-balls) is
determined through mutual agreement of both teams' captains. There are a total
of 28 matches.
Match Play Guidelines and Terminology
Match play
is a game played by holes.
A
hole is won by the team, which holes its ball in the fewer strokes.
Score
is kept by the number of holes up (won) and the number of holes to play. (Example:
U.S. 2-up, with six holes to play)
When
a team is up (winning) by more holes than there are holes remaining, then the
match is closed out and a point is awarded.
One
point is awarded for each match won.
If
the match is tied or "halved" through 18 holes of play, each
team receives one half of a point.
A
total of 28 points are awarded in Ryder Cup competition.
If
a match is currently tied while in competition, then it is considered "all-square".
A match is considered
"dormie" when one side is up by the exact number of holes that
remain.
A player/twosome
is said to be 2-up thru 10 after winning two more holes then their opponent(s)
through 10 holes.
A
player/twosome is said to win the match 2-up after winning two more holes
than their opponent thru 18 holes.
A
player/twosome is said to win 3 and 2 after winning three holes more than
their opponent(s) with only two holes left to play, assuring victory.
What are Concessions? A stroke, hole or an entire match can be conceded
at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or the match. Concession of a
stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn
How many points
does one team need to win the Ryder Cup Matches? There are a total of
28 matches. One point is awarded for each match won. The side with the most points
at the conclusion of the Ryder Cup Matches wins the Ryder Cup.
Can
the Ryder Cup Matches end in a tie? If, at the conclusion of the Ryder
Cup Matches, the teams are tied at 14 points each, the team who last won the Ryder
Cup retains The Cup. In this year's case, the European Team would retain The Cup.
To win the Matches, either team will need 14 ½ or more points.
Foursomes
(four groups of two two-man teams) "Foursome" play is a match
where two golfers compete on a team against two other golfers and each side plays
one ball. The golfers play alternate shots (player A hits tee shot, player B hits
second shot, etc.) until the hole is played out. Team members alternate playing
the tee shots, with one golfer hitting the tee shot on odd-numbered holes, and
the other hitting the tee shot from the even-numbered holes. The team with the
better score wins the hole. Should the two teams tie for best score, the hole
is halved.
Fourball (four groups of two two-man teams) "Fourball"
play is a match in which each member of the two-man teams play their own ball.
Four balls are in play per hole with each of the four players recording a score
on the hole. The team whose player posts the best score on that hole wins the
hole. Should players from each team tie for the best score, the hole is halved.
Singles (twelve groups of two one-man teams) "Singles"
is a match in which one player competes against another player. A player wins
the match when he is up by more holes than there are hole remaining to play.
Pairings Each team captain submits the order of play for his team
to the appointed tournament official. The lists from each captain are matched
resulting in the pairings.
