Stroke play
Also called Medal play
Every stroke of the round counts; the lowest total wins.
- Players
- Individual; also for pairs or teams
- Scored by
- Strokes
- Difficulty
- Simple
- WHS allowance
- 95 %
Four holes on the card
| Hole | 1Par 4SI 7 | 2Par 3SI 15 | 3Par 5SI 1 | 4Par 4SI 11 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EmmaHcp 20 | 5net 4 | ||||
| JackHcp 6 | 4 |
- Gross · Emma
- 5
- Gross · Jack
- 4
Step by step
How it is played
- Every stroke counts, penalty strokes too. The lowest total wins, gross or net as the competition says.
Each player plays their own ball and adds up every stroke, penalty strokes included; the lowest total wins (Rule 3.3a). The player must hole out on every hole (Rule 3.3c) and return a signed scorecard (Rule 3.3b).
The cases that raise questions
The player does not hole out on a hole.
The player must correct it before making a stroke to start the next hole or, on the last hole, before returning the scorecard; otherwise the player is disqualified (Rule 3.3c).
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 3: The Competition
The scorecard has a wrong hole score.
If it is higher than the actual score, the higher score stands. If it is lower, the player is disqualified, apart from the exceptions in Rule 3.3b itself.
Under the RulesRules of Golf (R&A), Rule 3: The Competition
Handicap
WHS recommendation (Appendix C): 95% of the course handicap (with fewer than 30 players, 100% could be considered). The Committee sets it.
Your playing handicap
Enter each player's course handicap: the format's allowance does the rest.
Your playing handicap19
- You: 95 % × 20 = 19
- Rounded to the nearest whole number.
Basis in the Rules
Rule 3.3 of the Rules of Golf (stroke play).
Got it?
A 4-question recap to check you have it. Every answer comes with its why and its source.
The card, for your group
The format at a glance, with its short link. Send it to your group before you tee off.
Organising a Stroke play?
Morris sets up the terms, the groups and the handicap allowance with you on WhatsApp.