Three strokes under (aka double eagle/albatross or hole in one): 5 points.

Four strokes under (which there is basically no chance): 6 points.

This incentivizes risk-taking, as the reward is greater and there isn’t a huge penalty for big numbers.įor example, here’s how the R&A breaks down this classic system: Every score to par is equivalent to a set number of points that is pre-determined with your group. Stableford Scoring SystemĪs I mentioned in the beginning, the goal of the Stableford is to score the most points (which usually means you played the best golf, but not always). Now, let’s break down how it works so you can start enjoying this ancient but extremely fun way of playing golf. Now, it’s a wildly popular format over the pond for a lot of tournaments as the scramble is in the United States. This style of play was first put into tournament play in 1932 at Wallasey Golf Club in England. So even if you have a disaster hole (which as you know, happens more often than we care to admit) it won’t ruin the fun. So he developed the system to keep going and finish the round. Frank Barney Gorton Stableford developed this system in the late 1800s (read all about the History of Golf here)? He is sometimes called the “Patron Saint of Club Golfers” as he always had the average golfers best interest in mind.Īnyways, the doc found that golfers were giving up too quickly when they had bad starts. Stableford Scoring System History of the Stablefordīelieve it or not, but the Stableford scoring system has been around for over 100 years! That’s right, the creator Dr. So if you want to learn more about this unique scoring format, keep reading so you can get started this weekend with your buddies.

Instead, they are constantly bombing it and attacking flagsticks in the hope to make more birdies and eagles. In this event, you won’t see guys laying up or hitting for the middle of the green too often.

This format encourages aggressive play which makes it fun for fans and players. The top players in the world use this system in the Barracuda Championship. In fact, the Stableford is the only other format (aside from stroke and match) that is used on the PGA Tour. Instead, it’s an adapted scoring style that gives a score to eagles, birdies, pars, bogeys, and more.

In fact, it’s the exact opposite, the goal is to have the highest score but that doesn’t mean the goal is card doubles and triples. Unlike traditional stroke play, the goal isn’t to have the lowest score possible. While it’s not as popular as match play (like they play in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup), it’s equally as fun. It’s not like the normal scoring in golf which makes it a ton of fun. )/Rect/Subtype/FreeText/T(ksessions)/Type/Annot>

Barney error scratch