In this scoring format each hole is played as a mini match. The player with the lowest net score wins the hole. The player winning the hole, player A - is said to be ‘one up” while the losing player (B) is ‘one down’. If player B wins the next hole the match is said to be ‘all square’. If both players get the same score the hole is ‘halved’ and the match score stays the same. Score is kept by the number of holes won with the number of holes left to play e.g. 3 up with 4 to play. The match is a ‘closed out’ when the player is up more than there are holes left to play. ‘Dormie’ can be explained when the player is up with the same number of holes left to play. The match can then only be halved by the trailing player. Because players are competing against each other putts can be ‘given’.

Strokeplay

Strokeplay introduced to the game in 1759, is the simplest method of scoring. Each player ads up his/her score for the round, and once handicaps have been deducted, if they are being used, the lowest score wins. Strokeplay Tournaments are often called medals. Because the player is playing against the course and not another opponent every putt must be holed no matter how short. "Stroke play" refers to a round of golf in which the score is kept by adding the cumulative total of strokes taken throughout the round. Stroke play is different from match play, but means the same thing as medal play. The term "medalist" might most often be heard in reference to qualifying rounds, particularly qualifying rounds for match-play tournaments. For example, there might two rounds of stroke play to determine the players who will advance into a match play championship.

Medalplay

A competition decided by the overall number of strokes used to complete the round or rounds. Same as "stroke play".

Stableford

Stableford is arguably the most popular of all the formats used for amateur play. This points scoring system originated by Dr Frank Stableford was first used on 16 May 1932 at Wallasey Golf Club in Cheshire, England. The original Stableford scoring system was played off scratch:

• Par ( Was Bogey ) = 2 pts
• 1 over = 1 pt
• 1 under = 3 pts
• 2 under = 4 pts
• 3 under = 5 pts

"Each competitor plays against bogey level. If the hole is lost by one stroke only, the player scores one; if it is halved, the player scores two; if it is won by one stroke, the player scores three; and if by two strokes, the player scores four. To the score thus made, one third of the player's medal handicap is added." (South Wales Daily News, 30 Sept., 1898) Ever wonder why Stableford competitions often use 7/8 of handicap? In the early days, the maximum man's handicap was 21. Dr Stableford believed that no-one should have more than one stroke per hole in his system; this adjustment allowed no more than 18 strokes per round.



Bogey and Par Competitions

The scoring for bogey and par competitions is made as in match play. Any hole for which a competitor makes no return shall be regarded as a loss. The winner is the competitor who is most successful in the aggregate of holes. The marker is responsible for marking only the gross number of strokes for each hole where the competitor makes a net score equal to or less than the fixed score.

Glossery

Modified Stableford scoring format.

Rather than tracking a player's score against par (6-under-par), this format gives points based on the player's score for each hole (eagle, birdie, par, etc.)
Double Eagle: 8 points
Eagle: 5 points
Birdie: 3 points
Par: 2 points
Bogey: 1 point
Double Bogey or Worse: -3 points

Scotch foursome

A match that has partners alternating hitting the same ball. They also alternate driving regardless of who holed out on the previous hole.

Scramble

A team competition where players play the best ball of a team member after every stroke or drive. All players tee off and select the "best" drive, subject to the need for each player to contribute drives. All players hit the team's second shot. The team then chooses the "best" second shot. All players hit the team's third shot. The process continues until the ball is holed out. No handicap strokes are used because teams are assigned based on individual handicaps.


2-person ( Texas ) Scramble .

A team consists of two players in the same group. On each hole each player drives and the best tee shot is selected by the team. Each member then plays a second shot from the spot where the selected tee shot lies and the best second shot is then selected in a similar manner. This process is repeated until the hole is completed.

4-person (Texas ) scramble

A team consists of four players in the same group. On each hole each player drives and the best tee shot is selected by the team. Each member then plays a second shot from the spot where the selected tee shot lies and the best second shot is then selected in a similar manner. This process is repeated until the hole is completed.

Three-Ball

A match play competition in which three play against one another, each playing his own ball. Each player is playing two distinct matches.

Best-Ball

A match in which one plays against the better ball of two or the best ball of three players.

Four-Ball

A match in which two play their better ball against the better ball of two other players.

Alternate ball

Format in which players alternate hitting each other's ball on each stroke until the hole is finished. For example, after teeing off, player 1 hits player 2's ball and vice versa. Also called foursomes.

Par competition

A game in which play is against a fixed score for each hole (called the par or bogey). Scoring is as in match play with plus 1 if the player scores better than par, equal if he scores par and minus 1 if more than par. The player with the highest aggregate score is the winner.

Bogey competition

A form of stroke play in which players play against a fixed score at each hole. Scored as in match play with the winner being the most holes.

Threesome

A match where one plays against two and each side plays one ball.

Foursome

Two plays against two and each side plays one ball.

Four-Ball Stroke Play

In four-ball stroke play two competitors play as partners, each playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of a hole, there is no penalty.

Best Ball

In the best ball format, on each hole a specific number of players count their best net or gross score. This can be the best single score from a 2-player team, the best two scores from a 4-player team, or other variations. In some events, only the best net scores are used, while in others, both gross and net may apply.