Page type: Regional rules guide
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Regional conventions and their limits
In the United States, an individual Stableford is governed as a form of stroke play under Rule 21.1. The Committee sets a fixed target score for each hole, normally par, and awards points by comparing the player's score (including penalty strokes) with that target. The competition is won by the player with the most points; the USGA example gives 2 points for the fixed score, 3 for one under, 1 for one over and 0 for more than one over or no score. For handicap competitions, USGA/WHS Appendix C lists 95% as the recommended allowance for Individual Stableford. The allowance is applied to the unrounded Course Handicap as the final step in calculating Playing Handicap, and the resulting strokes are taken according to the stroke-index allocation. The Committee should state the allowance in the Terms of the Competition, because a national, regional or club authority may establish or adjust allowances for the event. These are the evidenced US conventions; club-day entry rules and any alternative target remain event-specific.
Table
| Item | Regional reference |
|---|---|
| Format | Stableford |
| Region | USA |
| Local name | Stableford; for the individual version, USGA handicap guidance uses the label "Individual Stableford". The same format is called Stableford in the R&A Rules of Golf; this record does not claim a uniquely US name. |
| Rules context | Rules of Golf Rule 21.1 (Stableford); WHS Rules of Handicapping Appendix C |
Worked example
Illustrative only: if Alex's four holes produce 4, 2, 1 and 0 Stableford points against the Committee's fixed targets, Alex has 7 points for those holes (4 + 2 + 1 + 0). In a handicap event, Alex first uses the Playing Handicap set under the event terms; strokes are applied by stroke index, rather than by inventing a separate Stableford scoring scale.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf Rule 21.1 (Stableford); WHS Rules of Handicapping Appendix C
Sources: www.randa.org , www.usga.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is Stableford a form of match play in the United States?
No. Rule 21.1 describes Stableford as stroke play: each hole earns points against a fixed target and the highest total wins. A club may run a separate side bet, but that does not change the Rules classification.
What handicap allowance does USGA Appendix C recommend for individual Stableford?
The recommendation is 95% for Individual Stableford. It is applied to the unrounded Course Handicap when calculating Playing Handicap, and the resulting strokes are allocated by stroke index. The Committee's Terms of the Competition should confirm the allowance.
Can a US Stableford use a target other than par?
Yes. Rule 21.1 says the fixed target is par unless the Committee sets a different fixed target. The event terms should state that target and the point table clearly before play.