Course hole stroke index review.

[Neilds]

In stableford, I wouldn’t play a hole more conservatively if I know I have a shot. Maybe it’s naive but I don’t change tactics in the way I would do in matchplay.

So, if you duff a tee shot and are then faced with a shot over water that you can just about make with your best shot, but a lay up will make it much easier to reach the green with your 3rd shot, would you lay up if you had a shot on that hole? Would you also lay up if you didn't?

 

[Orikoru]

Not sure I understand the thinking of people when they say SI doesn't matter for Stableford. Of course it matters, how else do you know how many points you have scored? Also, you might lag a putt if you know you still have a shot on that hole but would need to be more aggressive if you know you have used all your shots.

Could someone explain what they actually mean? Or are people confusing Stableford with Medal?

Essentially, you should play to make the best score you can on each hole, irrespective of whether you receive a shot or not. A shot on a hole wouldn't change the way I play it. (Although, as I said earlier, I do find it hard to ignore the slight added pressure of needing to hit the green on a no-shot hole.)

You are right though - the one way it does affect it would be how aggressive you are with your bogey putt.

 

[Neilds]

Essentially, you should play to make the best score you can on each hole, irrespective of whether you receive a shot or not. A shot on a hole wouldn't change the way I play it. (Although, as I said earlier, I do find it hard to ignore the slight added pressure of needing to hit the green on a no-shot hole.)

You are right though - the one way it does affect it would be how aggressive you are with your bogey putt.

But that best (and most realistic) score might be a 2 when you use your shot and play within your limitations, as opposed to trying to get a 3 by taking on shots you can't make or trying to hit the ball too far (for your swing).

 

[Orikoru]

But that best (and most realistic) score might be a 2 when you use your shot and play within your limitations, as opposed to trying to get a 3 by taking on shots you can't make or trying to hit the ball too far (for your swing).

I don't really think in those terms. My goal on any hole when I tee it off is to make a par or birdie if I'm lucky. Then if you get out of position you take stock and reassess towards making a bogey at worst. A shot on the hole or not doesn't affect any of that for me. The only time it might affect my thought process, would be if I have a bogey putt - but even then, I'm trying to hole every putt by making it with good speed anyway so it doesn't affect it that much.

 

[irip]

Not sure I understand the thinking of people when they say SI doesn't matter for Stableford. Of course it matters, how else do you know how many points you have scored? Also, you might lag a putt if you know you still have a shot on that hole but would need to be more aggressive if you know you have used all your shots.

Could someone explain what they actually mean? Or are people confusing Stableford with Medal?

When I’m playing I mean it makes no difference to me before we start.
If I get 10 shots for example then it doesn’t matter to me where I get them.
If you don’t get a shot on what you perceive to be a difficult hole then you will get it on an easier hole.

When I’m playing I like to know if I have a shot on a hole because it might determine how aggressive I need to be (not off the tee but maybe with a chip shot later in the hole).

 

[Neilds]

When I’m playing I mean it makes no difference to me before we start.
If I get 10 shots for example then it doesn’t matter to me where I get them.
If you don’t get a shot on what you perceive to be a difficult hole then you will get it on an easier hole.

When I’m playing I like to know if I have a shot on a hole because it might determine how aggressive I need to be (not off the tee but maybe with a chip shot later in the hole).

Exactly what I am trying to say

 

[wjemather]

In stableford, I wouldn’t play a hole more conservatively if I know I have a shot. Maybe it’s naive but I don’t change tactics in the way I would do in matchplay.

But you might (most would) play more aggressively than you would in regular stroke play knowing you had to take risks in order to score - the same as you would in match play; for example: after being 3 off the tee, needing to get up and down from 100 yards to a tight hole location, needing to hole a slippery downhill 15 foot putt, etc.

 

[IanM]

Another variation in that Saunton East has different S.I s and Par for the white tees and yellow tees. (15th is a par 4 from yellows and a 5 from whites)

I usually scribble over the SI s that are not in use and give the card to guests, who mostly don't spot it.

 

[Slab]

For Stableford to matter to a players game on any given hole I think they actually need to enjoy playing aggressive.
Even if I say ‘I gotta get up & down for a point here’ its just a turn of phrase. I don’t attempt shots with a 20/30% chance of success

Where's the enjoyment is screwing it up more often than not

 

[Canfordhacker]

My saddo spreadsheet of my (last 130) scores does a comparison of how easy/hard I find the holes compared to SI. Our first is stroke 9 on the card, but it's actually "my" stroke 12, so 3 "easier". None of the others vary by more than 2 from the SI, so I reckon it's not too far off representing level of difficulty for me.

 

[irip]

For Stableford to matter to a players game on any given hole I think they actually need to enjoy playing aggressive.
Even if I say ‘I gotta get up & down for a point here’ its just a turn of phrase. I don’t attempt shots with a 20/30% chance of success

Where's the enjoyment is screwing it up more often than not

Rather than screwing it up I think it gives you a decision to make.
To score on this hole I need to get up and down, you then need to decide if it’s more likely to try an aggressive chip or play an easier chip but attempt a longer putt.
It is then about course management

 

[Slab]

Rather than screwing it up I think it gives you a decision to make.
To score on this hole I need to get up and down, you then need to decide if it’s more likely to try an aggressive chip or play an easier chip but attempt a longer putt.
It is then about course management

kinda, but I'm not taking on shots with a 1 in 4 chance of success just for a single stableford point when 3 out of four times it'll likely cost me 2-3 extra strokes on my gross tally

On a Monday morning sitting at my desk my gross score matters way more than a sleeve of balls for tied 4th place on 37 points

 

[irip]

kinda, but I'm not taking on shots with a 1 in 4 chance of success just for a single stableford point when 3 out of four times it'll likely cost me 2-3 extra strokes on my gross tally

On a Monday morning sitting at my desk my gross score matters way more than a sleeve of balls for tied 4th place on 37 points

Do you not pick up when you can’t score in stableford?
If so do you just guess how many more shots?

I always play depending on the format of the game.
Also if I’m on the 16th hole with 22 points im more likely to take on the risky shot than if I have 36 points up to that point.

Similar if it’s the 1st hole I will play the less risky shot in the hope I don’t blow my card early on.

I will normally then mess up the safer shot or 3 putt

 

[Orikoru]

My saddo spreadsheet of my (last 130) scores does a comparison of how easy/hard I find the holes compared to SI. Our first is stroke 9 on the card, but it's actually "my" stroke 12, so 3 "easier". None of the others vary by more than 2 from the SI, so I reckon it's not too far off representing level of difficulty for me.

I can also see this from my stats. This year so far (11 rounds), stroke 18 has been my best hole and the only one I'm actually under par on overall (3 birdies, 2 bogeys) - so a tick there. My next three best-performing holes are stroke 11, 12 & 13 though. That's a short par 4, short par 5, and a mid-to-long par 3.

My worst hole at 1.64 over par average, is stroke 5 (a tight par 4), followed by stroke 2 (long par 4) and stroke 9 - the latter is quite a short par 4 but not sure why I've suddenly started playing it badly, I played it much better last year. So perhaps a bit of an anomaly that one.

Across the whole of 2025 it was similar. My best three holes were stroke 10, 11, and 18. My worst three were strokes 1, 2 & 5 so pretty bang on really.

Stroke 10 is another short par 4 - these are always going to be my best holes since I hit plenty of fairways and I'm usually alright with a short iron or wedge into the green.

 

[rulie]

kinda, but I'm not taking on shots with a 1 in 4 chance of success just for a single stableford point when 3 out of four times it'll likely cost me 2-3 extra strokes on my gross tally

On a Monday morning sitting at my desk my gross score matters way more than a sleeve of balls for tied 4th place on 37 points

I'm with you, in singles stroke play - it's my gross score that matters and my play is to be as low as possible. Obviously, team games can impact strategy.
And Monday morning doesn't matter much to me, it's right after the game at the 19th!