Scoring formats · 1 to 4 players
Stableford: how to play
Also known as Stableford points
Points for every hole. A blow-up is a zero, not a disaster.
Stableford turns each hole into points scored against par. Par is worth two, a birdie three, a bogey one, and anything worse than a bogey scores nothing. Add the points up and the highest total wins.
Because the worst you can do on a hole is zero, one disaster does not wreck your round, which is why it is the most popular club and society format in the UK. With handicap strokes applied, every player scores against their own net par, so a 28-handicapper and a 4-handicapper can play for the same prize.
Score Stableford in Golf Daddy
Pick Stableford on the first tee and the app applies the strokes, keeps the live leaderboard and settles the points for the whole group. Free on iPhone and Android.
Stableford rules
- 1.Score each hole against par: eagle 4 points, birdie 3, par 2, bogey 1, double bogey or worse 0.
- 2.Albatross scores 5 and a four-under condor 6.
- 3.With handicaps, points are scored on your net score for the hole.
- 4.Once you can no longer score a point, pick up and move on.
- 5.Highest total points over the round wins.
How handicaps work
Your course handicap converts into shots on the holes with the lowest stroke indexes. A shot on a hole lowers your net score by one, so a gross bogey with a shot is a net par and scores two points. Off 20 you get a shot on every hole and a second on stroke index 1 and 2. Golf Daddy applies the shots and totals the points as you enter gross scores.
Worked example
Off 18 you get one shot per hole. A 5 on a par 4 is a net 4, so two points. A 7 on the same hole is a net 6, so zero: pick up and save time.
Tips and variations
- Thirty-six points is 'playing to your handicap'. Beat it and your index will move down.
- Know your shot holes before you tee off. A shot on a hard hole changes how aggressive you should be.
- Stableford is ideal for groups with mixed abilities and for anyone chasing a handicap without a club.
Stableford FAQs
How many Stableford points is a good score?
Thirty-six points means you played to your handicap. Forty or more is an excellent round that will cut your handicap; thirty or below is an off day.
What is a Stableford par?
Two points. The scale is built around par: one point for a bogey, two for par, three for a birdie, four for an eagle.
Does Stableford count towards my handicap?
Yes. Stableford rounds are converted to an adjusted gross score and count exactly like stroke play. Golf Daddy does the conversion for you.
Related formats
All golf formats and games →Play Stableford this weekend
Download Golf Daddy and let the app do the maths while you do the talking. Guests who haven't got the app can play too.