The Stableford System, developed by Dr. Frank Barney Gorton Stableford in 1931, is a scoring system in which the final score is not the stroke total, but the total points earned for scores on each individual hole. Unlike traditional golf scoring methods, the objective is to have the highest score.
The number of points awarded on each hole is based on the number of strokes vs. a fixed score, usually par, with individual handicaps factoring into the scoring as well.
The scoring system is as follows:
Double Bogey or worse – 0 points
Bogey – 1 point
Par – 2 points
Birdie – 3 points
Eagle – 4 points
Albatross – 5 points
Also unlike traditional golf, if it’s no longer possible for a player to score a point on a hole, a player is not required to complete it. They are permitted to pick up the ball and head to the next! This means greater speed of play, not to mention a whole lot less frustration on a bad hole.
Stableford is a popular form of the game in the United Kingdom and South Africa, with less play here in the States. But, if you’re looking for a different twist on the game, consider this classic next time.