A Comprehensive Guide to Stableford Scoring
Understand the ins and outs of the Stableford scoring system, one of the most popular formats in club golf.
By Team on 21 July 2025
The Stableford scoring system is a popular alternative to traditional stroke play, designed to reward good play without overly penalizing a single bad hole. It's a favorite in club competitions and casual rounds for its forgiving nature. If you've ever wondered how to work out Stableford points, you're in the right place.
How It Works: The Points System
Instead of counting strokes, Stableford awards points based on your score relative to par on each hole. The par is adjusted for your handicap, creating a 'net' score.
- Net Double Bogey or worse: 0 points (a 'blob')
- Net Bogey: 1 point
- Net Par: 2 points
- Net Birdie: 3 points
- Net Eagle: 4 points
- Net Albatross: 5 points
The player with the highest point total wins. Our Stableford scoring calculator does all the math for you.
Working Out Points with a High Handicap
Your course handicap determines where you get strokes. For example, with a Stableford scoring 32 handicap, you get one stroke on all 18 holes, plus a second stroke on the 14 hardest holes (Stroke Index 1-14). On a par-4 hole with SI 10, your 'par' is effectively 6. A gross score of 6 would be a net par, earning you 2 points.