Rule 21: Other Forms of Play: Stableford and More
What this is about
Rule 21 describes other forms of play besides regular stroke play, such as Stableford. There you score points instead of just counting strokes.
What you need to do
In Stableford, you earn points per hole based on your score against par:
- Par: 2 points.
- Birdie, one under par: 3 points.
- Eagle, two under par: 4 points.
- Bogey, one over par: 1 point.
- Two or more over par, or not holed out: 0 points.
Once you can no longer score a point on a hole, you may pick up your ball. That keeps the pace of play going.
Penalty strokes simply count toward your score on that hole, which often leaves you at 0 points. For certain breaches, such as carrying too many clubs, points are deducted from your final total.
Common mistake
Thinking you always have to hole out in Stableford. As soon as you can no longer score points, you pick up your ball instead.
Example
On a par 3, you're still not in the hole after five strokes. A double bogey already scores 0 points, so you pick up your ball and move on to the next hole.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
21.1 Stableford
21.1a Overview
Stableford is a form of stroke play where you earn points on each hole. How many points depends on your number of strokes compared to a fixed target score, usually (net) par.
21.1b Points
Your points per hole compared to the target score:
- More than one stroke over, or no score: 0 points
- One stroke over: 1 point
- Target score achieved: 2 points
- One stroke under: 3 points
- Two under: 4 points
- Three under: 5 points
- Four under: 6 points
Whoever has the most points wins.
21.1c Penalties
Some breaches that would disqualify you in regular stroke play cost you zero points for that hole in Stableford instead of disqualification.
21.1d When the round ends
The round ends when the player holes out on the last hole or decides not to hole out on the last hole.
21.2 Maximum score
21.2a Overview
In maximum score, the Committee sets a maximum number of strokes per hole, for example double par, a fixed number, or net double bogey. Once you reach that maximum, you stop playing the hole and record the maximum.
21.2b Scoring
You record your actual number of strokes, including penalty strokes, unless that's above the maximum, in which case you record the maximum. If you don't hole out, you also record the maximum.
21.3 Par/bogey
21.3a Overview
Par/bogey is stroke play scored like match play: you win or lose each hole depending on whether you play it under or over the target score. Whoever has the best balance, holes won minus holes lost, wins.
21.3b Scoring
On each hole, you compare your score to the target score: under it wins the hole, equal to it halves it, over it loses it. The balance over all holes decides the winner.
21.4 Three-ball match play
21.4a Overview
In three-ball match play, three players play at the same time: each plays two separate matches, one against each of the other two. You play one ball that counts in both matches.
21.4b Playing out of turn
If you play out of turn, the opponent who was next to play may have you replay the stroke. This applies separately per match: one opponent can cancel the stroke while it still counts in the other match.
Practice questions about Rule 21
In Stableford you already need 3 more strokes than par on hole 9. What do you do?
Answer: You may pick up and move on to hole 10 with 0 points
In Stableford you don't have to finish playing a hole. Once you can no longer score, you pick up your ball and record 0 points (Rule 21.1b). There's no such thing as negative points.
You're playing Stableford. Your handicap gives you 1 extra stroke on this hole (par 4, stroke index matches your handicap). You make a gross score of 6. How many Stableford points do you get?
Answer: 1 point
Subtract your handicap stroke from your gross score: 6 - 1 = net 5. On a par 4 that's 1 over par (net bogey), which is worth 1 Stableford point.
You're playing a par-4 hole and get 1 handicap stroke there. You need 6 strokes to hole out. What's your net score on this hole, and how many Stableford points does that earn?
Answer: Net bogey (5 strokes), earning 1 Stableford point.
Subtract your handicap stroke from your number of strokes: 6 - 1 = 5 net. On a par 4, that's a net bogey (1 over par), worth 1 Stableford point (Rule 21.1b(1)).
You're playing a par 4 and need 6 strokes (without handicap). How many Stableford points do you get?
Answer: 0 points
Your score is 6 on a par 4, which is 2 over par. In Stableford, you get 0 points if you're more than 1 stroke over par (Rule 21.1b). In practice, you could have picked up after your 6th stroke, since you could no longer score anyway.
When are you allowed to give up on a hole in Stableford?
Answer: If you can no longer score any points on the hole
In Stableford, you're allowed to stop play on a hole if you can no longer score any points. This saves time.