Scoring Information

How does Stableford Scoring work?
The Stableford system allocates a point's score for each hole that the player completes. At the completion of the round the player adds up all the scores for each hole and that becomes their score for the round.
However, you must also take your handicap into account in determining the nett Birdie, nett Par, nett Bogey etc. For example, if you have a handicap of 18 you are allowed one extra shot on each hole to achieve birdie, par or bogey etc. If your handicap is 36(women) you are allowed 2 extra shots to achieve par etc. If your handicap lies between 18 and 36, say 24, you are allowed one extra shot on each hole and a further extra shot (two in all) on the six most difficult holes (Stroke Indices[SI] 1-6) to achieve par etc. If you have a handicap below 18, (15 for example) then you only receive shots on holes with Stroke indices 1-15. On the holes where the Stroke Indices 16, 17 & 18 you will not receive any extra shots. A lot of golfers believe that holes are indexed on the scorecard according to their relative level of difficulty. The most difficult hole is classed as Index 1 and the least difficult as Index 18. This is not quite true. The English Golf Union like clubs to spread the Indices through the scorecard to allow a better spread for Matchplay competition. See this article Stroke Index Recommendation. If there is a tie when all the scores are totted up and the cards compared it is normal to attempt to separate tied scores on 'Countback'. This is where the score for the last 9 holes are compared and the highest one is declared the winner. If the score for the last nine is equal the last six are compared – if the scores are still tied then the last three and finally the score on the final hole is used to determine the winner.

What is a Nett Albatross?
A nett albatross is where a player scores 3 under their Nett Par. For example. Say a Par 4 has a Stroke Index of 9 and the player has a 20 handicap. They will receive a shot at this hole. If the player holes their 2nd shot, they mark a 2 down on the scorecard. This is known as your 'Gross Score'. They can then take their 1 shot off and put a 1 down in the Nett Score column. This is your 'Nett Score'. 1 is 3 less than the Par of 4 therefore giving the player 5pts. This is quite rare

What is a Nett Eagle?
A nett eagle is where a player scores 2 under their Nett Par. For example. Say a Par 4 has a Stroke Index of 14 and the player has a 14 handicap. They will receive a shot at this hole. If the player holes their 3nd shot, they mark a 3 down on the scorecard. This is known as your 'Gross Score'. They can then take their 1 shot off and put a 2 down in the Nett Score column. This is your 'Nett Score'. 2 is 2 less than the Par of 4 therefore giving the player 4pts.

What is a Nett Birdie?
A nett birdie is where a player scores 1 under their Nett Par. For example. Say a Par 5 has a Stroke Index of 15 and the player has a 27 handicap. They will receive a shot at this hole. If the player holes their 5th shot, they mark a 5 down on the scorecard. This is known as your 'Gross Score'. They can then take their 1 shot off and put a 4 down in the Nett Score column. This is your 'Nett Score'. 4 is 1 less than the Par of 5 therefore giving the player 3pts.

What is a Nett Par?
A nett par is where the adjusted score is the same a the Par of the hole. For example. Say a Par 4 has a Stroke Index of 6 and the player has a 27 handicap. They will receive 2 shots at this hole. If the player holes their 6th shot, they mark a 6 down on the scorecard. This is known as your 'Gross Score'. They can then take their 2 shots off and put a 4 down in the Nett Score column. This is your 'Nett Score'. Nett 4 is the same as the Par of 4 therefore giving the player 2pts.

What is a Nett Bogey?
A nett bogey is where a player scores 1 over their Nett Par. For example. Say a Par 3 has a Stroke Index of 17 and the player has a 15 handicap. They do not receive a shot at this hole. If the player holes their 4th shot, they mark a 4 down on the scorecard. This is known as your 'Gross Score'. Seeing as they do not get a shot at this hole, they cannot then take anthing off and put a 4 down in the Nett Score column. This is your 'Nett Score'. 4 is 1 more than the Par of 3 therefore giving the player 1pt.

What is a Nett Double Bogey?
A nett double bogey is where a player scores 2 or more over their Nett Par. For example. Say a Par 4 has a Stroke Index of 12 and the player has an 18 handicap. They receive a shot at this hole. If the player holes their 7th shot, they mark a 7 down on the scorecard. This is known as your 'Gross Score'. They can then take their 1 shot off and put a 6 down in the Nett Score column. This is your 'Nett Score'. 6 is 2 more than the Par of 4 therefore giving the player 0pts.
In Stableford, if you have taken too many shots so that you cannot score any points, it is perfectly acceptable to pick up your ball on that hole. You would just put a line through this hole and mark down 0pts. This helps keep the pace of play up.

How do I mark a Scorecard?
When marking a scorecard, players swap scorecards, placing their own scores in the 'markers' column and the players scores for who they are marking in Column A. See the image below.
Note: You do not have to mark down the nett scores or points (shown in green). Your responsibility is to mark your gross score in the 'Markers' and the 'Named Player' gross score in the Column A.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to go to our Contact Us page and ask away.