When two or more golfers finish level at the top of a leaderboard, something has to separate them. Professional tournaments usually use playoffs, either sudden death or over several holes. Match play extends to extra holes. Club competitions often use countback, comparing scores on the final holes. Here's how golf decides ties.
Sudden-death playoffs
Tied players play hole by hole, and the first to win a hole outright wins the event. Playoff holes are chosen by the organisers, often the 18th or a loop of finishing holes. Sudden death is common in many professional tournaments.
Aggregate playoffs
Players play a set number of holes, such as two, three or four, and add up their scores. The lowest total wins. If still tied, they continue with sudden death. Some major events use aggregate playoffs.
Match-play ties
In knockout match play, an all-square match continues to extra holes until one player wins a hole. In team events, a halved match may simply count as half a point each. Read match play golf and team golf competitions explained.
Countback in club competitions
Most club competitions don't have time for playoffs, so ties are decided by countback:
- Best score over the last nine holes.
- If still tied, the last six holes.
- Then the last three holes.
- Then the final hole.
For handicap competitions, handicap strokes are adjusted proportionally for each section (for example, half the handicap for the last nine). If still tied, organisers may use a further method, such as a draw.
Read your first golf competition and golf trophies and prizes.
Shotgun starts and countback
When players start on different holes in a shotgun start, competitions may define the "last nine" as holes 10 to 18 regardless of where each player started. Check the competition terms.
Stableford ties
Stableford ties are often decided by countback on points over the last nine, six, three and final holes. Read Stableford strategy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sudden-death playoff?
A playoff where tied players play hole by hole until one wins a hole.
How are ties decided in club competitions?
Usually by countback on the last nine, six, three and final hole.
What is an aggregate playoff?
A playoff over a set number of holes, with scores added up; sudden death follows if still tied.
Do all tournaments use the same playoff format?
No. The format is set in the competition's terms.
The bottom line
Golf decides ties with sudden-death or aggregate playoffs in professional events, extra holes in match play and countback in club competitions. Always check the competition terms. For more on professional events, read how professional golf tournaments work.