Dormie
Also known as: dormie, what does dormie mean, dormie in match play, dormy
Dormie means you lead a match by exactly as many holes as are left to play, such as 2 up with 2 to play. You cannot lose the match in regulation. Your opponent must win every remaining hole just to tie it.
Dormie is a match play term. In match play, a player wins a hole by taking fewer strokes on it. A match is won when one side leads by more holes than remain. So a dormie lead is one hole short of a win.
A halved hole wins the match from dormie. For example, 3 up with 3 to play becomes 3 up with 2 to play after a halve, and that ends the match. Your opponent has no room for error.
What happens after a tied match depends on the event. Some go to extra holes. Others end all square.
Tips by skill level
When you are dormie, aim for the safe parts of each hole. A halve wins.
When your opponent is dormie, you need wins. Take smart risks early on the remaining holes.
Example
Sara is 2 up with 2 to play, so she is dormie. She halves the 17th, wins 2 and 1, and shakes hands.
Why it matters
Knowing the match state guides your strategy. A player who is dormie can play safe, while the opponent must take risks.
Common mistakes
- Thinking dormie means the match is already won
- Taking big risks when a halve would win
- Forgetting how extra holes work in the event
Frequently asked questions
Can you lose a match when dormie?
Not in regulation play. The worst result is a tie, if your opponent wins every remaining hole.
What does 2 and 1 mean in match play?
The winner was 2 holes up with 1 hole left to play, so the match ended early.
Sources
Related terms
- Match Play vs Stroke PlayStroke play scores every shot across the whole round for a cumulative total. Match play scores hole by hole, awarding each hole to whoever takes fewer strokes on it. So a single bad hole only costs one point, not a pile of extra strokes.
- Gimme PuttA "gimme" is a short putt that playing partners agree is close enough to the hole. It can be counted as made without actually being holed. It is a casual convention rather than an official rule, and formally allowed only in match play through a genuine concession.
- Nassau and Wolf (Golf Side Games)A Nassau is three matches in one: the front nine, the back nine and the full 18 holes. Each is scored as a separate match, so a player can lose the front and still win the back and the overall. Wolf is a game for four players where a rotating "wolf" picks a partner on each hole, or plays alone for more points.
- Foursomes (Alternate Shot)Foursomes, also called alternate shot, is a format where two partners play one ball and take turns hitting it. They also take turns teeing off, so one partner hits the first tee shot and the other hits the next hole's tee shot. It can be played as match play or stroke play.
Related guides & benchmarks
Have a question about this?
There is nothing here to film. Ask SwingVantage a follow-up question, or keep reading the related terms above.