Rule 21 - Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play

Purpose of Rule: Rule 21 covers four other forms of individual play, including three forms of stroke play where scoring is different than in regular stroke play: Stableford (scoring by points awarded on each hole); Maximum Score (your score for each hole is capped at a maximum); and Par/Bogey (match play scoring used on a hole by hole basis).

21.1 Stableford

a. Overview of Stableford

A form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where you or your side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. where:

b. Scoring in Stableford

You are awarded points for each hole by comparing the number of strokes you have taken (including strokes made and penalty strokes) to the fixed target score for the hole. See the following chart for how you are awarded points in relation to the fixed target score:

 

Hole Played In

Points

More than one over fixed target score or no score returned

0

One over fixed target score

1

Fixed target score

2

One under fixed target score

3

Two under fixed target score

4

Three under fixed target score

5

Four under fixed target score

6

If you do not hole outHoled: When your ball is at rest in the hole after your stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green. When the Rules refer to “holing out” or “hole out,” it means when your ball is holed.(...Continued) under the Rules for any reason, you get zero points for the hole.

To help pace of play, you are encouraged to stop playing a hole when your score will be zero points.

To meet the requirements for entering hole scores on your scorecardScorecard: The document where your score for each hole is entered in stroke play.:

c. Penalties in Stableford

All penalty strokes are added to your score for the hole where the breach happened.

Exception 1 – Excess, Shared, Added or Replaced Clubs.

Exception 2 – Time of Starting.

Exception 3 – Unreasonable Delay.

For each exception, you must report the facts about the breach to the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. before returning your scorecardScorecard: The document where your score for each hole is entered in stroke play. so that the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may apply the penalty. If you fail to do so, you are disqualified.

 For more information on these three Exceptions.

Disqualification Penalties. If you breach any of these four Rules, you are not disqualified but you get zero points for the hole where the breach happened:

If you breach any other Rule with a penalty of disqualification, you are disqualified.

d. Exception to Rule 11.2 in Stableford

 For information on when Rule 11.2 does not apply in Stableford.

e. When Round Ends in Stableford

 For information on when a round ends in Stableford.

21.2 Maximum Score

A form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where you or your side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. where your score or your side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey.

 For more information on the Maximum Score form of play.

21.3 Par/Bogey

A form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where you or your side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. that uses scoring as in match playMatch Play: A form of play where you or your side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds. where:

 For more information on the Par/Bogey form of play.

21.4  Three-Ball Match Play

A form of match playMatch Play: A form of play where you or your side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds. where each of three players plays an individual match against the other two players at the same time, and each player plays one ball that is used in both of his or her matches.

 For more information on the Three-Ball match play form of play.

21.5  Other Forms of Playing Golf

 For more information on other forms of play.