Stableford Golf: How to Play and How Points Are Counted
What is Stableford and why is it the most popular amateur format?
Stableford is the most widely played format in amateur golf worldwide. Unlike strokeplay (where you count every shot), in Stableford you earn points per hole based on how many strokes you take relative to your net par. A disastrous hole doesn't ruin your card — it simply scores 0 and you move on.
It was invented by Dr. Frank Barney Gorton Stableford in 1932 and has carried his name ever since. It is governed by Rule 21.1 of the Rules of Golf (2019 edition).
Stableford points table
| Result on the hole (net) | Points |
|---|---|
| Double bogey or worse | 0 |
| Bogey (+1 over par) | 1 |
| Par | 2 |
| Birdie (−1) | 3 |
| Eagle (−2) | 4 |
| Albatross (−3) | 5 |
| Condor (−4) | 6 |
The net result is your gross score (actual strokes) minus the handicap strokes you receive on that hole.
How to calculate your net result on each hole
Handicap in Stableford is distributed hole by hole according to the Stroke Index (S.I.) of each hole:
- If your Playing Handicap is 18, you receive 1 extra stroke on every hole (S.I. 1 through 18).
- If your Playing Handicap is 9, you receive 1 extra stroke only on the 9 hardest holes (S.I. 1 through 9).
- If your Playing Handicap is 27, you receive 2 extra strokes on the 9 hardest holes and 1 stroke on the other 9.
Example: par 4 hole, S.I. 5, Playing Handicap 18. You receive 1 extra stroke → your net par on this hole is 5. If you take 6 gross strokes: net result = bogey → 1 point.
What percentage of Course Handicap is applied?
In individual Stableford, your Playing Handicap is 95% of your Course Handicap (rounded to the nearest whole number), per the official WHS allowances table (USGA/R&A 2024).
Example: Course Handicap = 19. Playing Handicap = round(19 × 0.95) = round(18.05) = 18 strokes.
How to win at Stableford
The player who accumulates the most points across 18 holes wins. A typical total for a mid-handicapper in a decent round is between 32 and 38 points.
- Below 30 points: tough round.
- 30–35: average round.
- 36–39: good round.
- 40 or more: excellent round.
Key differences between Stableford and Strokeplay (Medal)
| Aspect | Stableford | Strokeplay (Medal) |
|---|---|---|
| What you count | Points per hole | Total strokes |
| Blow-up hole | Scores 0, move on | Stays in your total |
| Objective | More points | Fewer strokes |
| Handicap allowance | 95% of CH | 95% of CH |
| Amateur popularity | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Strategy in Stableford
The big strategic difference compared to Medal is that asymmetric risk favours attacking play:
- If you attempt a difficult shot and miss, the worst outcome is 0 points — the same as if you played safe and still made a triple bogey.
- If you attempt the shot and pull it off, you can earn extra points (birdie or eagle).
This means in Stableford you should attack more than in Medal: go for birdies when the opportunity arises, because the cost of failure is capped.
That said, on holes where you're already heading for 0 (guaranteed no points), pick up your ball and move on — there's no value in finishing a hole you won't score on.
Submitting your card
In an official competition, at the end of the round you submit the card with your gross score per hole (actual strokes, before handicap). The competition system applies the handicap automatically to calculate net Stableford points. In some competitions, you mark the Stableford points directly on the card — always check the competition instructions beforehand.