Golf Scoring Systems

Medal/Stroke Play

• • Count every stroke taken
• • Lowest total score wins
• • Most common tournament format
• • Used in professional golf
• • Penalties added to score
• • No gimmes or conceded putts
• • Complete every hole

Modified Stableford

• • Points-based scoring system
• • Eagle: +8 points
• • Birdie: +2 points
• • Par: 0 points
• • Bogey: -1 point
• • Double bogey or worse: -3 points
• • Highest point total wins

Singles Match Play

• • Hole-by-hole competition
• • Win, lose, or halve each hole
• • Match ends when mathematically over
• • "Dormie" when lead equals holes left
• • Concessions allowed
• • Strategy differs from stroke play

Four-Ball Match Play

• • Two players per team
• • Best ball per team counts
• • Partners can alternate strategies
• • One aggressive, one conservative
• • Common in team competitions
• • Foursomes alternative format

Alternate Shot

• • Partners alternate shots
• • One ball per team
• • Requires perfect teamwork
• • Strategy coordination essential
• • Used in Ryder Cup format
• • Tests communication skills

Handicap Calculation

• • Based on best 8 of last 20 scores
• • Adjusted for course difficulty
• • Course Rating and Slope Rating
• • Daily revisions possible
• • Minimum 54 holes to establish
• • Maximum handicap: 54
• • Playing Conditions Calculation

Course Handicap

• • Adjusted for specific course
• • Varies by tee selection
• • Used for competitive play
• • Determines stroke allocation

Gross Score

• • Actual strokes taken
• • No handicap adjustment
• • Used in scratch competitions
• • Professional tournament standard
• • Level playing field
• • Pure skill competition

Net Score

• • Gross score minus handicap
• • Levels competition field
• • Common in amateur events
• • Allows all skill levels
• • Club championship format
• • Encourages participation

Flighted Competition

• • Divided by handicap ranges
• • Multiple winners per event
• • Championship flight (scratch)
• • A, B, C flights by handicap
• • Encourages fair competition
• • Separate gross/net awards

Scramble Format

• • All players hit from best shot
• • Team selects best position
• • Continue until hole completed
• • Typically 4-person teams
• • Fun, social format
• • Faster pace of play
• • Popular charity tournament format

Best Ball

• • Each player plays own ball
• • Count best score per hole
• • Individual scores maintained
• • Team and individual competition
• • Two, three, or four-person teams
• • Strategic team planning
• • Common amateur format

Stroke Play Tiebreakers

1. 1. Sudden death playoff
2. 2. Last 18, 9, 6, 3, 1 holes
3. 3. Back nine comparison
4. 4. Card-off method
5. 5. USGA recommended procedures
6. 6. Committee decides method
7. 7. Must be predetermined

Match Play Extensions

• • Continue hole-by-hole
• • Extra holes until winner
• • Return to #1 tee if needed
• • Sudden death format
• • First player to win hole wins
• • No predetermined limit
• • Historical epic matches