How to Play Stableford in Golf — Points System Explained
Learn how Stableford scoring works in golf — points per hole, net vs. gross, and a worked example. Score points, not strokes.
What is Stableford?
Stableford flips normal scoring on its head. Instead of counting strokes and aiming for the lowest total, you earn points on every hole based on your score relative to par — and the highest total wins. It was invented in 1898 specifically so one disaster hole couldn't ruin your whole round: once you can't score any more points on a hole, you simply pick up and move to the next tee.
How Stableford scoring works
Points are awarded per hole based on your score against par:
- Double bogey or worse: 0 points
- Bogey: 1 point
- Par: 2 points
- Birdie: 3 points
- Eagle: 4 points
Add up your points across all 18 holes — highest total wins. If you're playing with handicaps, use your net score (after handicap strokes) rather than your gross score to work out your points per hole.
Worked example
A player shoots 4 pars, 2 birdies, and a bogey across 7 holes. That's 4 × 2 (pars) + 2 × 3 (birdies) + 1 × 1 (bogey) = 15 points from those 7 holes. A solid full round for most amateur golfers lands around 32-36 points — anything above that is a strong day.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to apply handicap strokes before converting to points — a net par (after a stroke) is worth 2 points even if your gross score on the hole was a bogey.
- Continuing to play out a hole you can no longer score on — Stableford's whole point is speeding up play by picking up once you're past double bogey with no points left to gain.
- Confusing standard Stableford with Modified Stableford, which uses different point values (including negative points for bad holes) — always confirm which version your group is using before you start.
Track Stableford automatically
Working out net scores and points by hand slows everyone down. Golf with Mates converts every hole to Stableford points automatically, using your handicap, so you always know exactly where you stand.
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Never count Stableford points by hand again.
Net scores, points per hole and totals — calculated live.