Should I be using Stableford?

[Red_Eyes]

I have played about 5 rounds now and regularly score in the 100's much the same as my playing partner. At the moment we just add up scores and, curse at all the dropped shots and congratulate the winner.

Yesterday he started to talk about Stableford after playing a round with his boss.

We aren't club members yet (gripe for another thread) but I think we can assume a handicap of 28.

At the moment our cards can show 13's as we avoid the fairway completely and birdies when something went right. So one or two bad holes ruins the card and some extent the competitive element.

Would we be better off using the Stableford scoring method?

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

 

[brendy]

With stableford the advantages far outweigh the disadvantage (I see only one) you can have 17 great holes and one bad one doesnt necessarily ruin your card as you can only earn points, not lose them.
The disadvantage is that points take the edge of finishing every hole as the point you go beyond receiving any points for the hole, you can just pick up the ball as its worth nothing. This makes stroke competitions harder to play mentally as the pressure of finishing out seems to build more than stableford points.

 

[AliB]

Stableford is great for beginners and high handicappers - a lot less demoralising than counting every shot. But if you intend to go in for 'medal' comps you have to get used to full stroke play.
(Think that's just what brendy said, actually!)

AliB

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It depends on what your aspirations are. If you are looking to join a club and compete in regular competitions, stableford does anaethetise you from the rigours and demands of medal play.

If however you want a friendly competition with your regular partners stableford allows everyone to have the odd bad hole and still be in with a shout.

I'd personally stick with stableford for the time being until you become more experienced as it takes some of the pressure off if you run up a double digit score. It also allows you a certain degree of freedom to course manage better by realising where you get two shots per hole (off 28) and planning your strategy to maximise your points potential

 

[USER1999]

Yes, because it is faster. If you can't score, you pick up. It is not funny being behind someone putting out for a 13 (unless it's medal, and you have to).

 

[Red_Eyes]

Thank you for the replies. Stableford is the way I will go - if only to keep my sanity.

I don't know if it will quicken my game because I'll still play out each hole, I nned the short game practise too...