Stableford Calculator

Stableford Scorecard

Enter your Playing Handicap and gross score for each hole. The scorecard automatically calculates your handicap strokes and net Stableford points.

Number of strokes you receive at this course and format

Stableford Scorecard
HoleParSIStrokesGrossPoints
1411
243
3317
457
541
6413
7315
855
949
Out (1–9)360
10412
1144
12316
1358
1442
15414
16318
1756
18410
In (10–18)360
Total720

How Stableford scoring works

In Stableford you don't count total strokes — you earn points per hole. On each hole, your net score (gross strokes minus any handicap strokes you receive on that hole) determines the points you earn:

Net result vs parNamePoints
3 under net parNet albatross5
2 under net parNet eagle4
1 under net parNet birdie3
Net parNet par2
1 over net parNet bogey1
2 or more over net parNet double bogey or worse0

How handicap strokes are allocated per hole

The Stroke Index (SI) of each hole determines the order in which handicap strokes are distributed. The hole with SI 1 receives strokes first; SI 18 is last.

With a Playing Handicap of 18, you receive exactly 1 stroke on every hole. With Playing Handicap 20, you receive 1 stroke on all holes plus an extra stroke on the holes with SI 1 and SI 2 (2 strokes on those two holes). The scorecard calculates this automatically.

Important: the handicap you enter here is your Playing Handicap, not your Handicap Index. For individual Stableford, the Playing Handicap is your Course Handicap multiplied by 95% (rounded to the nearest whole number). Use our handicap calculator if you need to work out your Playing Handicap first.

Why Stableford is the most popular club format

Stableford has one huge psychological advantage over strokeplay: a very bad hole simply scores zero points. It doesn't ruin your card. In stroke play, an 8 on a par-4 can destroy an otherwise good round. In Stableford, that same hole simply doesn't exist in the final tally.

This makes Stableford more relaxed, more strategic (you can go for the birdie without fear of wrecking your card) and fairer across different handicap levels. For the full explanation, read our guide on what is Stableford and how it works.

Frequently asked questions

What Playing Handicap should I enter if I don't know mine?

Your Playing Handicap appears on the competition entry sheet or in your federation's app (GHIN, England Golf, etc.). If you don't have an official handicap, use an approximate number of strokes you think you'd receive on a standard course.

Can I use this scorecard in an official competition?

This tool is a support calculator to check your score. The official competition scorecard is always the valid document — it must be signed by your marker and returned to the committee.

What happens if I score more than 20 on a hole?

In Stableford you can pick up and score zero on any hole. There's no point continuing to play a hole that's clearly gone wrong — pick up and move on. In official competition, you should record your actual score for handicap differential calculation purposes.

Why are par and SI editable?

The default values are for a standard par-72 course. Your course may have a different par or SI distribution. Click "Edit par / SI" and change the values to match your actual scorecard.

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