Stableford Points Calculator

The Ultimate Guide to Stableford Scoring (2025)

Stableford is one of the most popular scoring systems in golf, particularly for club competitions and amateur players in the UK, Europe, and increasingly in the US. Unlike traditional "Stroke Play," where you count every shot (and one bad hole can ruin your round), Stableford awards points based on your net score at each hole.

Our Stableford Points Calculator removes the mental gymnastics of calculating net scores and handicap allowances on the fly. Simply enter your handicap, the course par, and the stroke index, and let the tool do the work.

How Does Stableford Scoring Work?

The goal in Stableford is to get the highest score possible (unlike stroke play where you want the lowest). Points are awarded based on your score relative to Par:

• 0 Points: Net Double Bogey or worse (2 over par)
• 1 Point: Net Bogey (1 over par)
• 2 Points: Net Par (Level par)
• 3 Points: Net Birdie (1 under par)
• 4 Points: Net Eagle (2 under par)
• 5 Points: Net Albatross (3 under par)

The beauty of Stableford is that if you have a disaster hole (e.g., an 8 on a Par 4), you just pick up your ball, score 0 points, and move to the next hole. Your round isn't destroyed.

Understanding Handicap & Stroke Index (SI)

This is where most confusion arises. You don't just subtract your handicap from the total at the end. You receive "shots" on specific holes based on difficulty.

1. The Handicap

Suppose your Playing Handicap is 18. This means you get 1 extra shot on every hole (18 holes).
Example: On a Par 4, your "Net Par" becomes a 5. If you shoot a 5, you get 2 points.

Suppose your Handicap is 24. You get 1 shot on every hole, plus an extra shot on the 6 hardest holes (SI 1 to 6).

2. The Stroke Index (SI)

Every hole is ranked from 1 (Hardest) to 18 (Easiest). This determines where you get your extra shots.
Example: If you have a handicap of 12, you get a shot on holes with Stroke Index 1 through 12. On holes ranked 13-18, you play off scratch (gross score).

What is a Good Stableford Score?

Since "Net Par" (playing to your handicap) awards 2 points per hole:

• 36 Points: You played exactly to your handicap. Excellent round.
• 37+ Points: You beat your handicap (and usually win the competition!).
• 30-35 Points: A solid, respectable round.
• < 30 Points: Better luck next time (known as the "Buffer Zone" struggle).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)