What happens if my match ends tied?

If your match ends all square, you keep playing one hole at a time until someone wins — it's still the same round, not a new one. In stroke play, a playoff counts as a brand new round.

Match play: sudden death, same round

When a match is tied after the last hole, you don't start over. You just keep going, hole by hole, until one player wins a hole. Rule 5.1 calls this the continuation of the same round. That matters because anything that applies "during a round" — like when you can replace a damaged club or when advice rules kick in — keeps applying without reset.

Stroke play: playoff is a new round

Stroke play is different. If there's a tie and the committee runs a playoff, that playoff is a completely new round. You get a fresh start on things like club replacement, and the round officially begins again from the first playoff hole. The committee sets the format — could be holes, could be a different course — but either way, it's round two.

Why the distinction matters

The "same round" vs "new round" line changes what you're allowed to do. In a match-play extension, you're still in your original round, so restrictions from earlier holes carry forward. In a stroke-play playoff, the slate wipes clean — you can swap a damaged club, the advice rules reset, and any "during the round" conditions start fresh.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The committee decides the match ends in a tie → No extra holes are played and the result stands as halved — this only happens if the competition terms allow it

Frequently asked questions

Does a match-play extension count as a new round for handicap purposes?

No. The extra holes are part of the same round, so the entire match — including the extension — posts as one 18-hole (or fewer) score for handicap.

What if I give the wrong stroke count during a match-play playoff?

The same Rule 3.2d(1) applies: give the wrong number of strokes taken and you lose the hole unless an exception saves you. See what if I give the wrong number of strokes taken during a hole for the full breakdown.

Can I change clubs during a match-play playoff?

Only if a club gets damaged during the extra holes under the normal Rule 4.1 rules. You can't just swap because it's a new hole — it's still the same round.

What if the committee says a tied match stays tied?

Then it's halved and you're done. Rule 5.1 only kicks in when the competition terms say play continues until there's a winner.

In stroke play, does the playoff start on the same hole we finished?

The committee decides the playoff format and starting hole. It could be the 1st hole again, a specific playoff hole, or even a different course — but it's always a new round.

Do I get a new caddie or fresh advice allowance in a stroke-play playoff?

Yes. Since it's a new round, you can change caddies and the advice restrictions reset — just like teeing off on day two of a tournament.