Rule 21 · Other forms of play
Rule 21: Stableford and other individual forms
Official title: Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play
Besides normal stroke play and match play there are other forms of play, above all Stableford. Rules 1 to 20 apply there too, the main differences are scoring and penalties.
21.1 Stableford
You get points on each hole: two for a par, one for a bogey, three for a birdie and so on, in handicap play net. The highest points total wins. If you do not finish a hole, you get no points for it, with no further penalty.
Rules questions on this
21.2 Maximum Score
Your score on each hole is capped, for example at double par or a fixed number. If you do not hole out, you get the maximum score for that hole.
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21.3 Par/Bogey
Scoring is as in match play, only against a fixed target score. You win, tie or lose each hole against that number.
21.4 Three-Ball Match Play
Each of three players plays a separate match against the other two, using the same ball.
21.5 Other forms of play
Scramble and many other forms are not in the Rules. The Committee can adapt the Rules for them.
Our own simplified summary of the 2023 Rules of Golf. The official Rules text is what counts.