Lyöntipaaloitus

Lyöntipaaloitus is a Finnish term that translates to "stroke play" in English and refers to a scoring system in golf. In this format, the total number of strokes a player takes over a round or a series of rounds is recorded. The player with the lowest total score wins the competition. This is in contrast to match play, where players compete hole by hole.

Lyöntipaaloitus is the most common format for professional golf tournaments worldwide, including major championships like The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. It is also widely used in amateur competitions and casual rounds of golf. The simplicity of the scoring system makes it easy to understand and track progress.

The objective in lyöntipaaloitus is to complete each hole in as few strokes as possible. Scores are cumulative, meaning each shot taken contributes to the overall total. At the end of the stipulated rounds, typically 18 holes played over one or more days, the player whose ball-striking has resulted in the fewest strokes is declared the winner. Ties are usually resolved through a playoff, where players compete over a predetermined number of additional holes using the same lyöntipaaloitus format.