Stableford / Points Golf Game
Stableford is a points-based golf game where players earn points based on their score on each hole. Instead of only counting total strokes, each hole is converted into points.
It is a great format for casual golf money games because one blow-up hole does not ruin the entire round. A bad hole may earn zero points, but the player can still recover on the next hole.
Best for
Stableford works best with 2 to 5 players.
It can be played individually or as a team game, but the most common casual version is individual points.
Handicaps
Handicaps are usually used.
Most Stableford games are played using net score, meaning each player receives strokes based on their course handicap.
Example:
- Par 4
- Player makes gross 5
- Player receives 1 stroke
- Net score is 4
- The player earns points for net par
How Stableford works
Each player earns points on every hole based on their score relative to par.
A common Stableford points system is:
- Double bogey or worse: 0 points
- Bogey: 1 point
- Par: 2 points
- Birdie: 3 points
- Eagle: 4 points
- Albatross / double eagle: 5 points
The player with the most points at the end of the round wins.
Simple Stableford example
A player scores the following on a par 4:
- Gross score: 5
- Handicap stroke: 1
- Net score: 4
That is a net par.
Using standard Stableford scoring:
- Net par = 2 points
So the player earns 2 points on that hole.
Why Stableford is good for casual groups
Stableford keeps everyone involved.
In stroke play, one terrible hole can ruin a player's round. In Stableford, a blow-up hole usually just becomes zero points.
That makes the game better for groups with different skill levels because:
- players can recover after bad holes
- net scoring keeps the game fair
- every hole still matters
- the payout is easy to understand
Gross vs net Stableford
Stableford can be played gross or net.
Gross Stableford
Points are based on the player's actual score.
Example:
- Par 4
- Gross 4
- Points for par
Net Stableford
Points are based on the player's score after handicap strokes.
Example:
- Par 4
- Gross 5
- Player receives 1 stroke
- Net 4
- Points for par
Net Stableford is usually better for casual money games with mixed handicaps.
Common point values
The standard point setup is:
- Double bogey or worse: 0
- Bogey: 1
- Par: 2
- Birdie: 3
- Eagle: 4
- Albatross / double eagle: 5
Some groups customize the points to make birdies and eagles more valuable.
Example:
- Bogey: 0
- Par: 1
- Birdie: 3
- Eagle: 5
Before starting, the group should agree on the point values.
Money payouts
Stableford money games are usually paid one of two ways.
Per point
In a per-point game, players compare total points at the end of the round. The difference in points determines the payout.
Example:
- Player A: 34 points
- Player B: 30 points
- Bet: $1 per point
Player A beats Player B by 4 points, so Player B owes Player A $4.
With more than two players, each player can be compared against every other player.
Example:
- Player A beats Player B by 4 points
- Player A beats Player C by 2 points
- Player C beats Player B by 2 points
Each matchup pays based on the point difference.
Winner takes bet
In a winner-takes-bet game, the player with the most points wins a fixed amount from each other player.
Example:
- Bet: $5
- Player A has the most points
- Each other player pays Player A $5
If two players tie for first, the group can either push the bet or split the winnings, depending on house rules.
Per-point example
Four players are playing $1 per point.
Final points:
- Player A: 34
- Player B: 31
- Player C: 29
- Player D: 28
Pairwise results:
Player A:
- Beats B by 3 = wins $3
- Beats C by 5 = wins $5
- Beats D by 6 = wins $6
- Total: +$14
Player B:
- Loses to A by 3 = -$3
- Beats C by 2 = +$2
- Beats D by 3 = +$3
- Total: +$2
Player C:
- Loses to A by 5 = -$5
- Loses to B by 2 = -$2
- Beats D by 1 = +$1
- Total: -$6
Player D:
- Loses to A by 6 = -$6
- Loses to B by 3 = -$3
- Loses to C by 1 = -$1
- Total: -$10
Totals balance to zero.
Winner-takes-bet example
Four players are playing winner takes $5.
Final points:
- Player A: 34
- Player B: 31
- Player C: 29
- Player D: 28
Player A has the most points.
Payout:
- Player B pays Player A $5
- Player C pays Player A $5
- Player D pays Player A $5
Player A wins $15 total.
Ties
Ties should be decided before the round starts.
Common options:
- Tied players push
- Tied first place splits the pot
- Tied players compare back-nine points
- Tied players compare last six holes
- Tied players compare last three holes
For casual rounds, the easiest rule is usually:
- ties push in per-point matchups
- tied first place pushes in winner-takes-bet
Stableford with teams
Stableford can also be played as a team game.
Common team versions include:
- total team points
- best player's points each hole
- combined points from both players
- best ball Stableford
Example:
Team 1:
- Player A earns 2 points
- Player B earns 3 points
- Team total: 5 points
Team 2:
- Player C earns 1 point
- Player D earns 2 points
- Team total: 3 points
Team 1 wins the hole by 2 points if the game pays hole by hole, or adds 5 points to its round total if the game pays at the end.
Strategy
Stableford rewards aggressive but smart golf.
Because a very bad hole may only be worth zero points, players can sometimes take more chances than they would in stroke play.
A birdie is usually worth more than simply avoiding bogey, so players may be rewarded for going after good scoring chances.
Common Stableford rules
Before starting, the group should agree on:
- Gross or net scoring
- Point values
- Bet amount
- Per-point payout or winner-takes-bet payout
- Individual or team scoring
- Tie rules
- Whether points are based on gross or net score
- Whether handicap strokes are applied hole by hole
Why use a Stableford scorecard app?
Stableford is easy to play, but the math can get annoying during a round.
A scorecard app can track:
- gross score
- net score
- handicap strokes
- points per hole
- front-nine points
- back-nine points
- total points
- money won or lost
Golf Betting Games keeps the points and payouts organized so players can focus on the round.