Understanding Stableford Scoring System – Complete Overview

Stableford scoring system is used to give score points based on each hole. This article explains how it works and benefits golfers of all skill levels.

The two most basic forms of playing golf are match play and stroke play. But, other than these, have you ever heard about the Stableford scoring system?

What is the Stableford scoring system in golf?

The Stableford scoring system is a golf format that allows players to score points according to the number of strokes taken on each hole. This system has been around for over a century and is now commonly used by golfers of all levels.

Stableford points

Every hole’s point value is determined by comparing the number of strokes taken to a predetermined score which is usually a par. This fixed number then adjusts depending on each player’s handicap rating.

As mentioned earlier, the standard Stableford scoring points scored on each hole as per R&A, and the USGA are as follows:

Points	Strokes taken in relation to an adjusted fixed score
0 Points	Double Bogey or Worse (Two strokes or more over par)
1 Point	Bogey (One stroke over par)
2 Points	Par
3 Points	Birdie (One stroke under par)
4 Points	Eagle (Two strokes under par)
5 Points	Albatross/Double Eagle (Three strokes under par)
6 Points	Condor (Four strokes under par)

Modified Stableford scoring format

As the name suggests, the Modified Stableford format is the modified version of the Stableford golf system. This method is employed once a year on the PGA Tour during the Barracuda Championship (formerly known as Reno-Tahoe Open). Unlike traditional scoring methods, where the aim is to have the lowest score, the goal in a Modified Stableford is to have the highest score.

The PGA Tour’s 2019 Barracuda Championship utilized the modified Stableford scoring with the following point allocations:

Points	Strokes taken in relation to par
8 points	Albatross (3-under-par)
5 points	Eagle (2-under-par)
2 Points	Birdie (1-under-par)
0 points	Par (level)
-1 point	Bogey (1-over-par)
-3 points	Double Bogey or worse (2-over-par or more)

History of Stableford scoring

In the late 1800s, Dr. Frank Barney Gorton Stableford (also sometimes known as the Patron Saint of Club Golfers) revolutionized golf by creating the revolutionary Stableford scoring system that kept players engaged even after bad starts to their rounds.

This ground-breaking format was first introduced for casual play at Glamorganshire Golf Club in Penarth, Wales. It was then utilized in tournament play at Wallasey Golf Club in England as early as 1932.

As a Glamorganshire and Wallasey Golf Clubs member, Stableford also belonged to Anglesey Golf Club North Wales for most of the 1920s. 

The advantage that comes with playing Stableford is it enables players to speed up their pace as they don’t have to finish a hole if no points can be earned; instead, one can collect his/her ball and move on to the next hole.

This form of golf is especially loved in Great Britain since even after having an unlucky round, you still get competitive scores.

Stableford handicap stroke indexes

The stroke Index is the metric utilized to assign handicaps to holes. Any player with a Playing Handicap 18 will be granted an extra shot on every hole they play. This means that if the players make a gross bogey, it would equate to net par and would earn them two points for that particular hole.

A golfer with a Playing Handicap of 9 will receive shots on the Stroke Indexes from 1-9. Likewise, one with an index rating of 5 would be given strokes for holes ranging from 1-5.

If a golfer has a handicap of over 18, they will get multiple shots on some holes. For example, those with the Playing Handicap of 28 will receive two strokes at Stroke Indexes 1-10 and only one stroke for indexes 11-18.

Any golfer with a Playing Handicap of +3 must add extra shots onto their gross score for holes with stroke indexes between 16-18. That means in order to earn two points on these particular holes, the players must be able to attain at least one birdie during their round. 

With the proper technique and skillful swing mechanics, even players with plus figures can make this happen.

Conclusion

The Stableford scoring system is an effective and fair way to play golf competitively. It encourages players to take risks and rewards them for doing so. At the same time, it takes the pressure off players who may not have the skills to shoot low scores by giving them points for playing well.

The Stableford system is based on holes-in-one, double bogeys, etc., and assigns points for each score. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins the game.

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