In golf, the term "stroke play" refers to a scoring format where the total number of strokes used by a player to complete a round or course is counted. Unlike other formats such as match play, where players compete hole by hole, stroke play emphasizes overall performance throughout the round. The objective is to minimize the number of strokes taken. Stroke play is commonly seen in tournaments and championships, and players are ranked based on their total strokes, making it a fundamental aspect of competitive golf.