Cut
The cut is the qualification line in a stroke play tournament, above which only the best players advance to the remaining rounds.
The cut divides the field after a fixed number of rounds, usually after 36 holes at a 72-hole tournament. Anyone above the cut line is eliminated and leaves the tournament early. The line is defined in advance, for example the best 65 players plus ties, or all players within a certain number of strokes of the leader. This keeps the field for the weekend rounds small and manageable. The opposite is a tournament without a cut, where the entire field plays all four rounds.
In practice you read the cut line on the leader board. Example: after two rounds you are at five over par. The cut line stands at plus four. You miss the cut by one stroke and are a spectator at the weekend. Pros often fight stubbornly in the second round for exactly this line, because the cut also decides prize money and ranking points. "Making the cut" is the first minimum requirement in professional golf every week.
A typical misconception is confusing it with the cut shot, a technical ball flight curve. The two terms share only the word. Also wrong: the cut is rather the exception in everyday club amateur golf. Most club tournaments in stroke play or Stableford are played over 18 or 36 holes without elimination. There every round counts to the end, and nobody has to go home before the last putt has dropped.
FAQ
What happens if I miss the cut at a tournament?
Then you are eliminated and leave the tournament early without playing the remaining rounds. For pros, the cut also decides prize money and ranking points — anyone eliminated usually goes home empty-handed. That is why "making the cut" is the first minimum requirement in professional golf every week.
How do I tell whether I made the cut?
The cut line is defined in advance, for example the best 65 players plus ties, and you read it off the leader board after the decisive round. If your score is above the line, you are out. An example: the line stands at four over par, you are five over — one stroke too many, and you are a spectator at the weekend.
Is there also a cut at normal club tournaments?
Usually not. Most club tournaments in stroke play or Stableford are played over 18 or 36 holes without elimination, and everyone plays to the end. The cut is primarily an instrument of major professional golf events to keep the field small for the weekend rounds.