What do I write on my scorecard in Stableford when I get zero points?
You can leave the square blank or write any score that would earn zero points — both are correct under Rule 21.1b. The Committee calculates your points afterward, so the exact number you scribble doesn't matter as long as it's a zero-point score.
What the rule actually says
Rule 21.1b(2) gives you two options when a hole is finished and the result is zero points: write nothing at all, or write any stroke total that would produce zero points (that's more than one over the fixed target score, usually par). If you pick up without holing out because you've already reached zero-point territory, the same two choices apply — blank or a zero-point number. The Committee is the one who converts your strokes to points, so your card just needs to show a zero-point outcome.
Why both options exist
Some players like a clean card and leave the box empty; others prefer to record the actual strokes they took (say, a 7 on a par 4) so they can track their own game later. The Rules allow either because the Committee's software — or the scorer at the table — will ignore the stroke number and simply award zero points for that hole. Pace-of-play guidance even encourages you to stop playing once zero points are guaranteed, so you'll often face this decision before you hole out.
Handicap competitions work the same way
In a handicap Stableford, the Committee applies your handicap strokes to the score you entered before calculating points. That means you still write either nothing or a zero-point gross score; the net calculation happens afterward. Don't try to pre-adjust for your handicap on the card — just follow the same blank-or-zero-point-score rule and let the Committee do the math.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write 'X' or 'NR' instead of leaving it blank?
No — Rule 21.1b only permits leaving the box empty or entering a numerical score that yields zero points. Symbols like 'X' or 'NR' don't satisfy the requirement and could cause a scoring issue.
What if I hole out but my score is exactly one over the fixed target?
That earns 1 point, not zero. You must record the actual stroke count (e.g., 5 on a par 4) because the Committee needs the exact number to award the correct point.
Do I have to write the points I earned on the card too?
The Terms of the Competition may encourage you to add the points, but Rule 3.3b only requires the stroke score (or blank for zero points). Points are the Committee's job.
If I pick up early because I can't score points, is that a 'no score returned'?
Functionally yes — you'll get zero points — but on the card you still choose: leave it blank or write any zero-point stroke total. 'No score returned' is a results term, not something you write in the box.
Does writing a high number like '10' hurt me in any way?
No. The Committee discards the stroke value once they see it's a zero-point score. Your handicap index, net score, or anything else isn't affected by the specific number you write for a zero-point hole.