Your preferred tournament format - Stroke Play or Match Play?

PIGDivot

I propose this question on the heels of the Match Play tournament from this past weekend, and it got me wondering what people prefer more - stroke play or match play in tournaments?

One thing that popped into my head is reminding myself that Bobby Jones won all of his majors in match play, with a stroke play qualifier, similar to that of what the USGA does with the US Amateur, et al.

My question to you is, would you prefer to return to what Bobby Jones competed in, or is the current 72 hole stroke play norm for most tournaments preferable?

I do think that they should modify the Match Play tournament to have the Top 64 players play 36 holes of aggregate stroke play, and then the Top 16 qualifiers move on to the match play portion of the competition. And maybe they can't do this sort of setup in most tournaments due to space, time or otherwise, but I think watching match play to decide a champion is a much more preferable format for tournament golf IMHO.

Spuzz

If you add stroke play to the current format, you will likely see a lot of big names skip the match play.
Rory alluded to this in his presser.

You could see all Americans only enter, imo.

Sounds like sour grapes to me since Americans keep losing at the Ryder Cup in formats other than stroke play, and there were none in the final 4 this year.
JMO

Oldprof

When I'm watching a professional tournament I prefer stroke play. But when my brother and I play against each other we always use match play scoring (which I prefer in that situation).

Release

Match Play is a personal preference, however, stroke play will be a true test to skill over a 3-4 days format.
Anyone could get hot for one round. Mine oven just don't get heat up very often nowadays.

PA-PLAYA

I felt that the format change to the WGC Matchplay event was a good change. It worked well, gave everyone a chance to lose yet still advance from their bracket, and added a much needed element of additional excitement that carried through to the midway point of the tournament. If it's broke - fix it. Kudos to the tournament directors for realizing the importance of having the bigger names representing beyond one day in this event.

As for the major championships - matchplay probably wouldn't deliver the Sunday drama that the stroke play format offers. No offense whatsoever to take-your-pick-outside-the-top 50 in the world, but Robert Streb versus whoever isn't going to muster enough interest to keep me in front of the telly on an otherwise nice Sunday afternoon, despite how great either of the finalists are playing. Ratings could (and likely would) take an enormous hit.

As for the amateur level... my club does a 36-hole qualifier the weekend before our Club Championship (matchplay) begins. The qualifier is used to determine the field for the championship flight. I like it that way because it just tends to identify the most consistently good players. A lot of other local clubs do the standard weekend 36-hole stroke play deal, open to anyone at the club, flighted based on handicap. That's okay, but I think matchplay is just much more suitable, if for no other reason than to help eliminate 5+ hour rounds.

Weirfan

I like playing both competitions but definitely prefer match play

azgreg

I really like the strategy of match play.

letthebigdogshunt

I like to watch stroke play a few times a year. Each match is basically a tournament. Stroke play is three days getting in position for Sunday.

Martee

Stroke Play normally, but if playing for just a drink or so, match play is okay. My
game although not great is fairly consistent, pars and bogeys with the off birdie and
once an a while a double. That proves to be my advantage in stroke play but it
can be a death certificate in match play.

SashaLazic

Different energy and potential in stroke and match play. I would say that it does test all aspects of players game.
I would stay with current format as you can be prepared to see WGC and Ryder Cup in match play. Also for top junior or amateur events is good to have those two formats in one game as it will prepare young players for ruthless path of what is coming.

pike51

C. None of the above

I prefer the good ol' fashioned scramble. Where long drives are king and you'd better drop bombs or you're not winning.