- Games
- Stableford
Stableford scoring, and modified Stableford
Instead of counting strokes, you score points on each hole for how you did against par, and the most points wins. It suits leagues and mixed groups: a blow-up hole costs you nothing more than zero, so nobody's round is over after one bad hole.
Free for a single round. Players never sign up.
The rules. Par is two points.
Stableford scores each hole on a points table against par, usually net of the player's handicap strokes on that hole. Par is worth 2, each stroke better is a point more, each stroke worse a point less, down to zero. Add up the eighteen holes; most points wins.
Once a player can't score a point on a hole, he can pick up. That's what makes Stableford quick and kind to high handicaps: a net double bogey and a net 9 both score zero.
- Work out each player's strokes. Course handicap (often at an allowance, 95% under the World Handicap System for individual Stableford), one stroke a hole on the hardest holes by stroke index.
- Play the hole and take the strokes off: a 5 with a stroke is a net 4.
- Score it against par. Net double bogey or worse 0, bogey 1, par 2, birdie 3, eagle 4, albatross 5.
- Pick up once you can't score: there's nothing to gain by finishing the hole.
- Total the points. Most points wins. 36 is "playing to your handicap" over eighteen holes.
Standard and modified.
Standard Stableford is the one in the Rules of Golf, usually played net. Modified Stableford is the professional format: usually gross, it pays far more for eagles and birdies and takes points away for bogeys, so it rewards attacking golf and punishes the blow-ups that standard Stableford forgives.
In modified Stableford the highest score wins as usual, but a total can be negative.
| Score on the hole | Standard | Modified |
|---|---|---|
| Albatross (3 under) | 5 | 8 |
| Eagle (2 under) | 4 | 5 |
| Birdie | 3 | 2 |
| Par | 2 | 0 |
| Bogey | 1 | −1 |
| Double bogey or worse | 0 | −3 |
Same net score, different points.
Dale (course handicap 8) and Ray (20) play net Stableford. Dale gets a stroke on stroke index 1 to 8; on this front nine that's holes 1, 2, 4 and 6. Ray gets a stroke on every hole and a second on stroke index 1, the 4th. Each cell shows the gross score and, underneath, the net.
| Hole | Par | SI | Dale | Pts | Ray | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 7 | 5 net 4 | 2 | 6 net 5 | 1 |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 net 3 | 3 | 5 net 4 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | 15 | 3 net 3 | 2 | 5 net 4 | 1 |
| 4 | 5 | 1 | 6 net 5 | 2 | 6 net 4 | 3 |
| 5 | 4 | 11 | 4 net 4 | 2 | 7 net 6 | 0 |
| 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 net 5 | 1 | 5 net 4 | 2 |
| 7 | 3 | 17 | 4 net 4 | 1 | 4 net 3 | 2 |
| 8 | 4 | 9 | 7 net 7 | 0 | 5 net 4 | 2 |
| 9 | 5 | 13 | 4 net 4 | 3 | 6 net 5 | 2 |
| Out | 36 | 43 net 39 | 16 | 49 net 39 | 15 |
The same nine in modified Stableford, Dale gross: bogey −1 on the 1st, par 0 on the 2nd and 3rd, bogey −1, par 0, double −3, bogey −1, triple −3, birdie +2 on the 9th. Total −7. The birdie barely makes up for one bogey.
Points games groups play.
Once a round is scored in points, the table and the target are what change.
Handicaps. Strokes on the hard holes, points against par.
A course handicap of 8 gets one stroke on each of stroke index 1 to 8. A 20 gets one on every hole and a second on stroke index 1 and 2. A plus handicap gives strokes back, starting on the easiest holes.
The World Handicap System's recommended allowance for individual Stableford is 95% of course handicap, the same as individual stroke play. Many groups and leagues play full handicap.
A player playing exactly to his handicap scores 2 points a hole, 36 over eighteen. That's what makes Stableford easy to read mid-round: anything above 2 a hole is beating your handicap.
Settling the money. A pot, paid by place.
Stableford is usually a pot. Eight players at $10 is $80; paying two places 75/25 gives first $60 and second $20, and each player's result is what he won less his $10.
Ties split the places they cover: if two players tie for first, they share first and second, $80 between them, $40 each. With two places paid, that is the whole pot.
In Live Links Golf. Scored off the card, points and pot.
Stableford, Modified Stableford, Quota and Chicago are worked out from the scores: every hole's points, the ranking and the pot. Nobody types in a winner.
Stableford, asked on the first tee.
How many points is a par in Stableford?
Two. A bogey is 1, a birdie 3, an eagle 4, an albatross 5, and a double bogey or worse scores nothing. In net Stableford these are net scores, after handicap strokes.
What is modified Stableford?
A points format with a steeper table that goes negative: albatross 8, eagle 5, birdie 2, par 0, bogey −1, double bogey or worse −3. It's usually played gross.
What is a good Stableford score?
36 points is playing exactly to your handicap over eighteen holes, 2 points a hole. Anything above 36 net is beating your handicap.
What handicap allowance is used for Stableford?
The World Handicap System recommends 95% of course handicap for individual Stableford. Many friendly games and leagues play full handicap.
Can you pick up in Stableford?
Yes. Once you can't score a point on a hole there's no reason to finish it, which keeps the round moving.