Game Types

Stableford

Stableford is named after Dr. Stableford of Wallasey, who introduced this counting system. It was first officially recognised in 1931.

Points are awarded on each hole, which are calculated net. It is played with full handicap. For an adjusted par you receive two points, one point for an adjusted bogey, three points for an adjusted birdie, etc.

Players that take two or more strokes over their adjusted par cannot win any points and should pick up their ball.

The points will then be added after 18 holes, and the player with the most points is the winner

Stroke Play

The number of strokes needed on each hole is entered on the scorecard and added together after 18 holes to calculate the total score.

To calculate the net score the full handicap is subtracted. At most clubs there are ratings for both total and net scores. The winner in both formats is the person with the lowest score.

String - Stableford

This is played with full handicap, as with single Stableford. Instead of shots each player receives 1m string for each two handicap shots before the tournament begins.

This string can be used at any point when taking a shot, for example at a bunker or on the green.

If the player uses up all of the string, they must play the rest of the round without any further handicap. Points are awarded according to the Stableford system and the player with the highest number of points after 18 holes is the winner.

Chapman Foresomes

This is played with a partner, with ½ of the total handicap of both players. Both players tee off, then their second shot is of their partner's ball. They then decide which ball stays in play, and the other ball is picked up.

If player A took the second shot with the selected ball, player B takes the third shot, and they then take it in turns until one player holes out. Points are counted according to stroke play rules. The total score per hole is entered on the scorecard, added together after the 18th hole, and the handicap is then subtracted.

The pair with the lowest net score wins.

Texas Scramble

Texas Scramble is a very popular golf format. It is a four ball team match based on stroke play. The handicap is 1/8 of the total handicap of the four players.

All four players tee off, then decide which drive is best. The other three balls are collected then dropped within a club's length of the chosen ball - but not closer to the hole.

All four players then take another shot from this position, and then again choose the best placed ball and drop the other three balls within a club's length of the chosen ball, and so on.

If the chosen ball is in a hazard or in the rough, the other balls must also be played from here.

On the green all balls must be placed within 10mm of the chosen ball and putted.

The total score is entered in the scorecard and then added up after the 18th hole, and then the handicap is subtracted.

The team with the lowest net score wins.

Florida Scramble

This is played exactly like Texas Scramble, but with one difference: the player whose ball is chosen must sit out one round of shots.