How to Play Stableford
Stableford is a golf scoring system where you earn points on each hole — bogey 1, par 2, birdie 3, eagle 4 — and the most points wins, instead of the lowest stroke total. The genius is the floor: a blow-up hole is worth zero, never worse. Here's how to play it.
What's the deal?
Stableford flips stroke play on its head in one brilliant way: the worst you can score on any hole is zero points. Double bogey or worse? Zero. Move on. No more watching one triple bogey crater your entire round.
Instead of counting strokes, you earn points relative to par — bogey 1, par 2, birdie 3, eagle 4. Most points after 18 wins. Because the downside is capped, it rewards aggressive play: go for the birdie, because a blow-up costs you nothing extra.
Setting the stakes: Stableford is points-based, so put a dollar value on each point. $0.50 a point is the easy default — total everyone's points after 18 and settle the differences. Or run it winner-takes-the-pot for a simpler payout.
How to play Stableford
- 1Points per hole: double bogey or worse = 0 · bogey = 1 · par = 2 · birdie = 3 · eagle = 4.
- 2Everyone plays their own ball — stroke play as normal.
- 3After each hole, convert your score to points. Triple bogey? Zero, and move on.
- 4Keep a running points total through the round.
- 5Add up points after 18. Highest total wins; settle at $0.50 a point or winner-takes-the-pot.
Now Grab the Hat.
Wear it, swing freely, and let the points do the talking.
Shop The 1st Tee → See All 21 Games