Understanding Stableford Scoring

Published on 20th April 2023 in New to Golf

Understanding Stableford Scoring

Stableford is the most popular way of scoring at club level.

Scoring Stableford

The number of points awarded on each hole is determined based on comparison of the number of strokes taken to a fixed score, usually par. This fixed score is then adjusted in relation to the player’s handicap. Once players have taken two strokes more than the adjusted fixed score, they may abandon the hole and move on to the next. Because of this, it is still possible to be competitive even allowing for a few bad holes. At the end of the round, the number of points scored on each hole is totalled to give a final score. The winner of a Stableford competition is the player with the highest point total.

The fixed or par score would be adjusted as per the stroke indexes (SI) of the holes, starting with the hardest hole as the lowest stroke index 1, through to the easiest, stroke index 18. For example, a 36 handicap would increase the score by 2 on all holes and a 45 handicap would increase their score by 3 on the 9 hardest holes (rated 1 to 9) and by 2 on the 9 easier holes (rated 10 to 18). If a hole is a Par 5 and rated 1, the hardest, then the 45 Handicapper would have a Par of 8 and a 36 Handicapper would have a Par of 7 on that hole.

The number of points awarded per hole is as follows:

Strokes taken in relation to their adjusted fixed score (their Par)

2 strokes over, no score recorded (Double Bogey or Wipe) 0 points

1 stroke over their par (Bogey) 1 point

equal their par or fixed score (Par) 2 points

1 stroke under their par or fixed score (Birdie) 3 points

2 strokes under their par or fixed score (Eagle) 4 points

3 strokes under their par or fixed score (Albatross) 5 points

4 strokes under their par or fixed score (Condor) 6 points

This points scale encourages aggressive play, since the reward for scoring under par is higher than the penalty for scoring over par. Once a player has made her shot and is one stroke over her par, she should pick up her ball and prepare to proceed to the next hole.