Stableford Golf Scoring: Rules, Points Table, Gross and Net
Stableford is the points format most played in club competitions: instead of adding up strokes, every hole earns points according to the gap between your score and par — birdie 3 points, par 2 points, bogey 1 point… and the most points wins. Its genius fits into one rule: a disastrous hole never costs more than 0 points. Where a 9 on a par 4 wrecks a card in stroke play, in Stableford you pick up, write down 0 and move on to the next hole as if nothing had happened. The result: less pressure, a quicker pace of play, and an official format — invented by Dr Frank Stableford in 1931 — used today in most amateur competitions in France.
▶ The rule in 60 seconds, in French with English subtitles — the Game of Swing channel
How to play Stableford, hole by hole
- Note the par of the hole. It is the reference point for the table — in the Game of Swing app, the par of each hole can be edited directly when entering scores.
- Play the hole normally and count your strokes, penalties included.
- Convert the score into points using the table: the gap between your strokes and par sets the points for the hole.
- Pick up as soon as the hole is “dead”. If you can no longer score a single point (double bogey already reached), lift your ball and mark a cross (X): the app automatically counts it as 0 points, and you move on.
- Add up the points for all 18 holes. The player with the highest total wins the game.
The Stableford points table in full
| Score on the hole | Gap to par | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle (or better) | −2 or less | 4 pts |
| Birdie | −1 | 3 pts |
| Par | 0 | 2 pts |
| Bogey | +1 | 1 pt |
| Double Bogey or worse | +2 and beyond | 0 pts |
On a par 4: Julie makes a 3 → birdie, 3 points. Marc makes 5 → bogey, 1 point. Paul, who found the water, is already on 6 strokes without holing out: he picks up and marks a cross (X) — 0 points — and everyone heads to the next hole without waiting. At the end of the round: Julie 34 pts, Marc 29 pts, Paul 22 pts — Julie wins.
Gross or net Stableford: what's the difference?
In gross, points are calculated on the score actually played — that is how the Stableford game in the Game of Swing app works: simple, direct, ideal between players of similar ability.
In net, each player first receives strokes according to their playing handicap, spread over the holes according to their difficulty (the “stroke index” on the card). Points are then calculated on the net score. Example: with 1 stroke received on a par 4, a 5 becomes a net 4 → 2 points instead of 1. This is the club competition format: it lets a Handicap Index of 30 compete fairly against an index of 8. Net scoring requires the course's rated scorecard — its Course Rating, its Slope Rating and the stroke index of each hole: in the app, it is reserved for the courses of Game of Swing partner clubs.
36 points: the benchmark score
In net, a player who makes exactly net par on every hole scores 2 points × 18 holes = 36 points. Hence the expression “playing to your handicap”: finishing on 36 net points means playing precisely at your level. Above 36, you have outperformed — and your Handicap Index is set to come down. It is the figure every competitor looks at when handing in their card.
Why Stableford is so popular
- No hole wrecks your card. The worst case is worth 0 points: you stay in the game from the 1st hole to the 18th.
- Play is quicker. You pick up as soon as the hole has nothing more to give, instead of finishing a painful 10.
- It encourages attacking golf. Going for the birdie pays well (3 pts), missing costs almost nothing: the risk/reward balance favours aggressive play.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is each score worth in Stableford?
Eagle (2 under par) or better = 4 points, birdie = 3 points, par = 2 points, bogey = 1 point, double bogey or worse = 0 points. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins.
What is the difference between gross and net?
In gross, points are calculated on the score actually played. In net, you first deduct the strokes received from your handicap (spread according to the difficulty of the holes), then convert the net score into points. Net evens out the chances between players of different abilities.
Why is 36 points “playing to your handicap”?
Because net par on every hole = 2 points × 18 holes = 36 points. Finishing on 36 net means playing exactly to your handicap; above that, you have outperformed it.
Can you pick up your ball in Stableford?
Yes — it is even recommended. As soon as no point is possible on the hole, you lift your ball, mark a cross (X) — counted as 0 points — and move on to the next one. That is what makes the format so quick and enjoyable.
Every format on a single page: step-by-step rules, a worked example, the points scale and a strategy tip — to read the night before a round or to print. Stableford is in it, along with the 4 other formats you can play for free in the app.
Download the free sample →PDF · 14 pages · direct download, no email needed · the complete guide covers all 41 formats
Play your next Stableford without any mental arithmetic
Enter your strokes and the par: the Game of Swing app converts everything into points and handles ties and the live leaderboard. Stableford is one of the 5 free games.
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