You just have to find tournaments that are cheaper. I'm lucky enough that my home course has a monthly one that is $60 with cart. Only $6 more than their weekend rate. They still have about $450 in the pot for winnings too. Would your match play handicap be better because your given putts when your opponent is out of the hole? As far as I know 9 hole is calculated the same way. They just wait to combine 2 9 hole rounds.