stableford

The number of points awarded on each hole is determined based on comparison of the number of strokes taken to a fixed score, usually par. This fixed score is then adjusted in relation to the player's handicap. Once players have taken two strokes more than the adjusted fixed score, they may abandon the hole and move on to the next, as it is then not possible to score any points on that hole. Because of this, it is still possible to be competitive even allowing for a few bad holes. At the end of the round, the number of points scored on each hole is totaled to give a final score. The winner of a Stableford competition is the player with the highest point total.{{cite web |url=http://www.usga.org/bookrule.aspx?id=14316 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813144516/http://www.usga.org/bookrule.aspx?id=14316 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2009 |title=Rule 32. Bogey, Par and Stableford Competitions |publisher=United States Golf Association |access-date=July 21, 2009}} Final scores may be modified for all players using the Competition Stableford Adjustment system.

In the United Kingdom, the fixed score would be adjusted as per the stroke indexes (SI) of the holes, starting at the lowest stroke index 1 hole, through to the highest, stroke index 18. For example, a 12 handicap golfer would increase the fixed score on holes indexed 1 through 12, a 24 handicap player would increase the score by two on holes indexed 1 through 6 and by one for the rest, and a plus handicap player would reduce the fixed scores starting at the stroke index 18 hole.{{cite web |url=http://www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/library/stableford.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000118132424/http://www.golftoday.co.uk/clubhouse/library/stableford.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 18, 2000 |title=Rules of Stableford Scoring |publisher=Golf Today |access-date=July 21, 2009}}

The number of points awarded per hole as specified by The R&A and the United States Golf Association are as follows:{{cite web |title=Rule 32 |url=http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-32/ |access-date=March 17, 2013|publisher=USGA}}

This linear scoring version of Stableford is essentially the same as traditional stroke play where the maximum score for each hole is limited to a double bogey.

The standard Stableford system can be altered to use different point levels, commonly referred to as a Modified Stableford system. It is a maximum score system. For example, in professional golf, the following scoring table has been used at the Barracuda Championship{{Cite web |url=https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2019/barracuda-championship/leaderboard.html |title=Barracuda Championship – 2019 Leaderboard |publisher=PGA Tour |access-date=July 27, 2019}} on the PGA Tour.

This points scale encourages aggressive play, since the reward for scoring under par is higher than the penalty for scoring over par. The maximum score is two strokes over par; once a player has made his shot and is one stroke over par, he may concede, pick up the ball, take a double bogey, and proceed to the next hole without penalty.

Very few professional tournaments have used a Stableford scoring system.

The first PGA Tour event that used a Stableford system of scoring was The International in Colorado, although it used a modified version of the scoring system adapted for the skill levels of the professionals and to encourage attacking play.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/golf/news/story?id=2544451 |title=Modified Stableford system benefits aggressive player |work=ESPN |date=August 9, 2006 |access-date=July 2, 2009|author=John Antonini}} The event was cancelled in February 2007, after 21 years as part of the tour.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2007-02-07-international_x.htm |title=International tournament cancellation leaves July hole in PGA Tour schedule |work=USA Today |date=February 8, 2007 |access-date=July 2, 2009| first=Doug | last=Ferguson}} The modified Stableford system returned to the PGA Tour at the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2012. Both events were held at high elevation.

On the European Tour, the ANZ Championship, which ran for three years from 2002, used the same modified Stableford scoring system as The International.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/2430111/Mixed-points-of-view.html |title=Mixed points of view |work=The Telegraph |date=February 6, 2002 |access-date=November 23, 2008|first=Bernie |last=McGuire}} The Investec Royal Swazi Open on the Sunshine Tour has used the same system since 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=4&art_id=qw1053102961230S163&set_id=6 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804072030/http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=4&art_id=qw1053102961230S163&set_id=6 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 4, 2012 |title=Moore chips away at Swazi title |publisher=Independent Online |date=May 16, 2003 |access-date=July 21, 2009}} Two Champions Tour events also used the modified Stableford system briefly. They were the Royal Caribbean Classic in 2000 and 2001,{{cite news |url=http://www.thegolfchannel.com/tour-insider/champions-ready-resume-action-11898/ |title=Champions Ready to Resume Action |work=Golf Channel |date=January 30, 2004 |access-date=July 21, 2009}}{{deadlink|date=August 2019}} and the Uniting Fore Care Classic in 2002. In the latter case, it was seen as a final attempt to save the failing tournament.{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695197025,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121152326/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695197025,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |title=Five years after folding up its tent in Park City, Champions Tour going strong |work=Deseret News |date=August 2, 2007 |access-date=July 21, 2009|author=Mike Sorensen}}

The American Century Championship, a celebrity tournament played at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada, has used a modified Stableford scoring format since 2004.{{cite web |url=http://americancenturychampionship.com/tournament-information/fact-sheet/ |via=American Century Championship|title= Fact Sheet|publisher=NBC Sports|work=Golf Channel |access-date=April 25, 2017}} It is also at high elevation.

The Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions Celebrity Division, part of the LPGA season opening event, has its celebrities participating in a modified Stableford system. The maximum score is double bogey.

• Competition Stableford Adjustment
• Variations of golf

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080804061038/http://my.opera.com/bydand/blog/show.dml/151565 Origins of Stableford scoring] ByDandD, February 21, 2006 (Archived)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081015181120/http://www.sandwedged.com/article/details/6/How-to-keep-score-in-golf%3A-Stableford.html Guide to Scoring Stableford Golf] Sandwedged

{{Golf}}

Category:Golf terminology

Category:Rules of golf