Stableford

Each hole is scored against a fixed target, normally par. The competition committee can choose a different target.¹

On two par-4 holes, a player makes 3 and 6 without handicap strokes. The birdie earns three points; the double bogey earns zero. The total is three points.¹

In a handicap competition, strokes are applied on the relevant holes before points are calculated. A 5 on a par 4 becomes a net 4 if the player receives one stroke there, earning two points.¹

Once no points remain possible on a hole, players are encouraged to pick up. Not finishing that hole gives zero points. In standard Stableford, a hole cannot take points away from those already earned.¹

The name comes from Dr Frank Stableford, who experimented with a points system at Glamorganshire in 1898 and later developed it at Wallasey Golf Club. Wallasey held its first Stableford competition on May 16, 1932. He wanted golfers to keep enjoying a round after a difficult start.²

Modified Stableford uses a different points scale. The tournament now known as the Barracuda Championship adopted it in 2012. Its 2014 format awarded two points for a birdie and five for an eagle, while deducting one for a bogey.³