Stableford scoring

[Nick_Toye]

Hey,

After last month's debacle with the old Stableford inquisition. I've become more open minded with it, I know that sometimes I will have to play it, and that's fine.

Anyway, playing with my Dad we still play traditional stroke play, but count up our points for Stableford at the end.

It's definitely easier for us to do that as its only a 2 ball and we have a buggy because of my Dad's health.

Played yesterday evening (tee time 5.10pm) at Hawarden Golf course in Flintshire. If anyone has ever played it they will know what a stunning course it is, especially at that time of night. There was a Stableford comp going on and loads of tee times were booked out, however the course was relatively empty as not many people entered. We were behind a 4 ball, and had nobody behind us for around 2-3 holes back, so it was a lovely leisurely game, to which I once again matched my 99 highest score (3 times now), 2 over par.

Now my Stableford was excellent according to my Dad, although I have no frame of reference. I scored on every single hole bar the last one, and come away with 34 points.

I'm guessing that isn't a bad return? I also definitely left some shots on the course, but definitely happy with the way my game is going.

What I did takeaway from the round was the knowledge of how it all works, so I'm more than confident to play in a group that prefers that method, especially as I would have only had to pick up on the last hole.

Happy golfer.

 

[MendieGK]

Hey,

After last month's debacle with the old Stableford inquisition. I've become more open minded with it, I know that sometimes I will have to play it, and that's fine.

Anyway, playing with my Dad we still play traditional stroke play, but count up our points for Stableford at the end.

It's definitely easier for us to do that as its only a 2 ball and we have a buggy because of my Dad's health.

Played yesterday evening (tee time 5.10pm) at Hawarden Golf course in Flintshire. If anyone has ever played it they will know what a stunning course it is, especially at that time of night. There was a Stableford comp going on and loads of tee times were booked out, however the course was relatively empty as not many people entered. We were behind a 4 ball, and had nobody behind us for around 2-3 holes back, so it was a lovely leisurely game, to which I once again matched my 99 highest score (3 times now), 2 over par.

Now my Stableford was excellent according to my Dad, although I have no frame of reference. I scored on every single hole bar the last one, and come away with 34 points.

I'm guessing that isn't a bad return? I also definitely left some shots on the course, but definitely happy with the way my game is going.

What I did takeaway from the round was the knowledge of how it all works, so I'm more than confident to play in a group that prefers that method, especially as I would have only had to pick up on the last hole.

Happy golfer.

34points is exactly 2over your handicap (assuming the CSS of the course is the same as par). the fact you only had one 'scrub' is why this matches up.

i am sure one day in the future you will have a round where you have 40odd pts but come off thinking you played bad. this will be because you had a select few very bad holes (more than 2 shots over your handicap par for the hole).

If and when you join a club, all handicaps for competitions are calculated using stableford. meaning you could theoretically shoot 150 and still have your handicap reduced (you might have had 40shots on one hole)

 

[Nick_Toye]

34points is exactly 2over your handicap (assuming the CSS of the course is the same as par). the fact you only had one 'scrub' is why this matches up.

i am sure one day in the future you will have a round where you have 40odd pts but come off thinking you played bad. this will be because you had a select few very bad holes (more than 2 shots over your handicap par for the hole).

If and when you join a club, all handicaps for competitions are calculated using stableford. meaning you could theoretically shoot 150 and still have your handicap reduced (you might have had 40shots on one hole)

You see that's why I personally don't think it's a true reflection of how your progressing as a golfer. It's almost like that bad hole didn't happen, but it was you who played it, and it was you who played it badly.

But, that's my personal opinion, which I don't really want to get too deep into.

Fact of the matter is for me, scoring 99 and 34 Stableford has made me feel quite happy and I can progress from there.

 

[pbrown7582]

Congu like to think the bad he didn't happen so all handicaps are calculated on a stableford basis any medal score is rounded down to a nett double bogey or in other words the worst score you could record to achieve zero points.
If scores were taken literally you could have 17 pars a 18 over 22 on the last and get a 18 h/cap.


Scoring 34 and recording points on every is steady golf you'll soon be getting cut.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

You see that's why I personally don't think it's a true reflection of how your progressing as a golfer. It's almost like that bad hole didn't happen, but it was you who played it, and it was you who played it badly.

But, that's my personal opinion, which I don't really want to get too deep into.

Fact of the matter is for me, scoring 99 and 34 Stableford has made me feel quite happy and I can progress from there.

Of course it is a true reflection. A bad hole can happen for all kinds of reasons, no matter what level you are at and is very often the result of just one or two bad shots or maybe just a bit of bad luck. Stableford scoring and the stableford adjustment that is used to calculate official handicaps, even in medal competitions , takes that into account.

If you want your ability to play golf to be measured by your performance on every hole, then you are going to have a very very frustrating time.

Like you, I prefer medal, and all I really care about is my gross score, but I'm also realistic enough to know that a bad hole doesn't make me a bad golfer. I'll give you an example of a round I had recently...

I parred the first 2 holes, then took an 8 on the 3rd (Par 4) and a 5 on the 4th (Par 3) so I was 6 over after 4 holes. I finished the round 8 over so I played 16 holes in 2 over gross. Sure, I played the bad holes but in reality I probably hit 3 bad shots in the entire round, all on those 2 holes.

 

[Nick_Toye]

Of course it is a true reflection. A bad hole can happen for all kinds of reasons, no matter what level you are at and is very often the result of just one or two bad shots or maybe just a bit of bad luck. Stableford scoring and the stableford adjustment that is used to calculate official handicaps, even in medal competitions , takes that into account.

If you want your ability to play golf to be measured by your performance on every hole, then you are going to have a very very frustrating time.

Like you, I prefer medal, and all I really care about is my gross score, but I'm also realistic enough to know that a bad hole doesn't make me a bad golfer. I'll give you an example of a round I had recently...

I parred the first 2 holes, then took an 8 on the 3rd (Par 4) and a 5 on the 4th (Par 3) so I was 6 over after 4 holes. I finished the round 8 over so I played 16 holes in 2 over gross. Sure, I played the bad holes but in reality I probably hit 3 bad shots in the entire round, all on those 2 holes.

I guess, not wanting to develop this into another debate as it was done to death in another thread.

It's also pretty much a moot point for me as I scored ok for my handicap, so I'm happy.

Out of interest is 36 considered a good score in competitions?

 

[davemc1]

I think the theory is to aim for 36. Anything after normally brings a cut in handicap. this view is very simplistic though, think it depends on CSS. But for the likes of us, if we aim for 37 we're going in the right direction.

 

[Ethan]

This idea that stableford is not real scoring makes no sense. Stableford only makes a difference (compared to medal) for scores that are worse than the lowest score which gives 0 points, so for a typical 12 handicapper who has a shot on the hole, a score of 8 or worse is effectively amended to a 7. How many decent scores (that reduce handicap) have triple of quad bogeys in them? Not many.

I have never seen anyone protest that in matchplay they scored a birdie to their opponents triple bogey yet only got one hole up out of it.

The point of stableford is that the overall scoring in a round shouldn't be overly dependant on one bad hole, where the effect of one bad shot may have a disproportionate effect on the whole round. In statistical terms, it is a way of softening the effect of outliers or skewed data.

 

[garyinderry]

once you are good enough. the only way to have a good round is to post a good gross score.

until that time, just concentrate on building good stableford scores.


when you break 80 for the first time in a year or two , you will wonder why you were buzzin about shooting 99.

shooting in the 100's doesn't do much for players confidence. just build good points scores and watch your handicap tumble! good luck!

 

[chrisd]

Out of interest is 36 considered a good score in competitions?

I guess most on here would be happy with 36 points but that score would rarely win a competition, it would generally be 41 points or thereabouts to win but some have posted quite ridiculous points totals on here at times!

 

[Nick_Toye]

Just went round in 67 net 2 under par, and scored 69. I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. Took 4 off my best score, putting was great too.

And my handicap has just come down to 27.2. Finally some progress.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Just went round in 67 net 2 under par, and scored 69. I'm absolutely chuffed to bits. Took 4 off my best score, putting was great too.

And my handicap has just come down to 27.2. Finally some progress.

Well done. Personally I wouldn't get too wrapped up in scores, stableford or medal. Just play, mark a score and see the outcome regardless of format.

 

[Nick_Toye]

Well done. Personally I wouldn't get too wrapped up in scores, stableford or medal. Just play, mark a score and see the outcome regardless of format.

Well I'm a big believer in stats. Ever see the film Moneyball with Brad Pitt? Based on the Oakland A's baseball team? He employed an economics guy who had studied the team and knew which players he was getting the most value out of, so they sold all their big earners as they were not producing as much as the lesser paid guys, pound for pound. True story, guy went on to the Boston Red Sox and won the first World Series in 80 years or something. All based on stats rather than marquee players.

Now I know its not golf, but the principles for me are the same. I enjoy getting a 1.9 putting average, I enjoy seeing a 65% driving accuracy, as I know my slice is not as bad as previous rounds, and this is due to me putting in the practice to fix parts of my game.

But the Stableford scoring is not something I am actively playing with my Dad, but its more a tongue in cheek glance to see if I have beaten that man who bugged me again.

Plus I know the club I am looking at joining play it often with comps, so its useful to see how I would have done. Apparently there was a Stableford comp going on around us on the course, and my score would have got me in top 3, which I thought was quite good.

Mind you regardless of the scores I got (which obviously I was delighted with) I was more happy with a shot I played on the 15th.

I drove just off the fairway in the light rough, around 200 yards, My GPS told me I needed a 5 wood (which I don't own yet), a 3 Wood would have been too much, plus the lie was not sitting up that well. So I pulled out my 3 Hybrid and cracked a sweet strike to 20 yards from the green. One of the best shots I have personally played. I could have then chipped on, but the land was fairly flat, around 50ft from the hole, I putted it to around 3 inches from going in. Finished for par.

That hole illustrated to me personally that I am definitely improving. My putting had been excellent all round, so I kind of knew I had a good score before I totted up. Had many of the elder members at the club congratulating me, so that was a nice feeling too.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Well I'm a big believer in stats. Ever see the film Moneyball with Brad Pitt? Based on the Oakland A's baseball team? He employed an economics guy who had studied the team and knew which players he was getting the most value out of, so they sold all their big earners as they were not producing as much as the lesser paid guys, pound for pound. True story, guy went on to the Boston Red Sox and won the first World Series in 80 years or something. All based on stats rather than marquee players.

Now I know its not golf, but the principles for me are the same. I enjoy getting a 1.9 putting average, I enjoy seeing a 65% driving accuracy, as I know my slice is not as bad as previous rounds, and this is due to me putting in the practice to fix parts of my game.

But the Stableford scoring is not something I am actively playing with my Dad, but its more a tongue in cheek glance to see if I have beaten that man who bugged me again.

Plus I know the club I am looking at joining play it often with comps, so its useful to see how I would have done. Apparently there was a Stableford comp going on around us on the course, and my score would have got me in top 3, which I thought was quite good.

Mind you regardless of the scores I got (which obviously I was delighted with) I was more happy with a shot I played on the 15th.

I drove just off the fairway in the light rough, around 200 yards, My GPS told me I needed a 5 wood (which I don't own yet), a 3 Wood would have been too much, plus the lie was not sitting up that well. So I pulled out my 3 Hybrid and cracked a sweet strike to 20 yards from the green. One of the best shots I have personally played. I could have then chipped on, but the land was fairly flat, around 50ft from the hole, I putted it to around 3 inches from going in. Finished for par.

That hole illustrated to me personally that I am definitely improving. My putting had been excellent all round, so I kind of knew I had a good score before I totted up. Had many of the elder members at the club congratulating me, so that was a nice feeling too.

I'm all for stats and keep all of mine which I give to the guy I have lessons with so he can see what is and isn't working. However, I've found after many years and thanks to the voices on here that they can sometimes only tell a part story. The shots you play on the course shouldn't be governed by a need to make x GIR or x up and downs per round. Use the stats as a tool to see trends and then work on your weaknesses. Don't get too wrapped up in them

 

[Nick_Toye]

I'm all for stats and keep all of mine which I give to the guy I have lessons with so he can see what is and isn't working. However, I've found after many years and thanks to the voices on here that they can sometimes only tell a part story. The shots you play on the course shouldn't be governed by a need to make x GIR or x up and downs per round. Use the stats as a tool to see trends and then work on your weaknesses. Don't get too wrapped up in them

That's exactly what I do.

Not sure what your point is to be honest.

 

[BTatHome]

How does a GPS tell you that you needed a 5wood, that you don't own !?!?

 

[Nick_Toye]

How does a GPS tell you that you needed a 5wood, that you don't own !?!?

Sorry it didn't, but I also have an expected yardage card for my handicap level, and it has a 5 wood yardage on there.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

That's exactly what I do.

Not sure what your point is to be honest.

The simple point is, keep the stats, find the trends and deal with them and improve. Leave all thoughts of stats (GIR, FIR, putts etc) alone while you're playing and just play.

 

[Nick_Toye]

The simple point is, keep the stats, find the trends and deal with them and improve. Leave all thoughts of stats (GIR, FIR, putts etc) alone while you're playing and just play.

Oh I see. Well you know I don't think about it when I play. I never count my scores up until the end, although I will admit I counted up my first 9 last time because I had a really good front 9 the day before, but I had dropped 3 shots from my previous effort. That kind of disappointed me, but I took a minute and got on with the back 9 and went round in 45.

I was definitely concentrating more on each shot, and it definitely paid dividends for me.

I know that if I play a hole really well one day, I may not play it as well another. Mental factors spilling over from a bad hole, lapse in concentration etc can throw the stats out the window, so I do get what your saying and agree 100%.

God would you imagine if I was taking ages deliberating over a shot by looking back at my previous stats etc? ha ha. I'd definitely wind people up doing that.

 

[Joff]

Sorry it didn't, but I also have an expected yardage card for my handicap level, and it has a 5 wood yardage on there.

How does this even exist? As if handicap dictates how far you hit it...