How does Stableford scoring work?
A · Advanced · Scoring and forms of play · 1 of 9Stableford turns each hole into points: 2 for matching the target score, which is usually par, 1 for one over, 3 for one under and so on. The most points wins. In maximum score each hole's score is capped. In both, a player may pick the ball up without being disqualified.
How it works
| Score on the hole, against the target | Stableford points |
|---|---|
| More than one over, or no score | 0 |
| One over | 1 |
| The target score | 2 |
| One under | 3 |
| Two under | 4 |
| Three under | 5 |
| Four under | 6 |
- Stableford: the player with the most points over all the rounds wins. A player who does not hole out gets 0 for the hole.
- Maximum score: ordinary stroke play, except that no hole can cost more than a maximum the Committee sets, such as twice par, a fixed number or net double bogey. A player who does not hole out gets the maximum.
- Par/bogey: each hole is won, lost or tied against a target score, as in match play. The winner has the best total of holes won less holes lost.
- In all three, players are encouraged to stop playing a hole once it can no longer score.
- Stroke-play penalties apply. Five breaches that would mean disqualification in ordinary stroke play, such as not holing out or not correcting a wrong ball, cost only the hole: 0 points, the maximum score or a lost hole.
- In a handicap competition the Committee applies the handicap strokes hole by hole.
Tricky cases
Can a Stableford score for a hole be less than zero?
No. After any penalty strokes, the score for a hole cannot be lower than 0 points.
Does a player have to finish every hole?
No. The hole is completed when the player holes out, chooses not to or can no longer score on it.
Why the rule exists
One bad hole cannot wreck a round, and a player who is out of a hole can pick up and move on. The Rules themselves link these formats to pace of play.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules of Golf | As above | G 21.1; G 21.2; G 21.3 |
| Regular stroke play | Every hole must be holed out | G 3.3c |
| Scrambles, greensomes and other formats | Not covered by a specific Rule. The Committee adapts the Rules | G 21.5 |
From the rule book
The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf, Rules 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 and 21.5. Effective January 2023. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Golf (PDF).