Down
Down, in match play, is the number of holes by which you trail your opponent.
The term belongs to the basic vocabulary of match play. If you are two holes behind after ten holes, you are "2 down". Its counterpart is Up — the lead from the other player's point of view. If the match is level, you say All Square. What matters is the principle behind it: in match play it is not the total of your strokes that counts, only who wins the individual hole. A lost hole costs you exactly one tally, no matter whether you needed five or ten strokes for it. That is why a match always stays open even after a disastrous hole.
An example from the course of a match: you lose holes 2 and 5, win hole 7 — so after hole 8 you are exactly 1 down. From now on it is worth becoming bolder. Instead of playing to the safe middle of the green, you attack the flag directly and risk the aggressive approach putt. Your opponent in the lead, in turn, will play more calmly and safely. If the match keeps turning against you and you are three holes down with three holes left to play, your opponent stands Dormie — you would then have to win every remaining hole just to force extra holes at all.
In everyday play it helps to read the down count calmly. It is not a judgement of your game, just a snapshot of hole results. A single won hole brings you straight back into the match. That is exactly what distinguishes match play from stroke play, where every stroke sticks to the total. Once you have understood that, you play from behind with more freedom — and experience why many golfers consider match play the most exciting format of all.
FAQ
How should I change my tactics when I am down in match play?
If you are behind, more boldness pays off: attack the flag more directly and take calculated risks instead of only aiming safely for the middle of the green. Your opponent in the lead will usually play more conservatively — that is your chance. Even if you lose a hole badly, it still costs you only one tally — a single won hole brings you straight back.
Can I still turn a match around when I am several holes down?
Yes, as long as enough holes remain. In match play only the individual hole counts; a disastrous result does not stick to the total as it does in stroke play. It only becomes critical when your deficit reaches the number of remaining holes — then your opponent stands Dormie and you have to win every remaining hole.
What is the difference between down and up?
They are two perspectives on the same score. If you are 2 down, your opponent is simultaneously 2 Up. If it is level, you say All Square. The score is kept per hole, not per stroke — so it is enough to know the current state rather than adding up strokes.