Miles Bennett
Golf scorecards are used to track scores and provide information about the course. They can be confusing for beginners, but the simplest way to mark a scorecard is to count the number of strokes taken on a hole and write that number in the box corresponding to that hole. Scorecards have spaces for player names, typically up to four, and columns for the hole number, handicap, and par information. The handicap section ranks the holes by difficulty, with the hardest hole ranked as 1 and the easiest as 18. The par information tells players how many shots they should take per hole. At the end of nine holes, players tally up their scores for the front and back nine, and then add those numbers for their 18-hole score. Some golfers circle or square their scores to indicate whether they are above or below par.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | 4 |
| Name of competition | June Monthly Medal, Club Stableford, etc. |
| Player names | Player A/B/C |
| Hole | 1–18 |
| Tees used | Name or colour, Par, Standard Scratch Score (SSS) |
| Markers Score | Your score for each hole |
| Handicap | 1–18 |
| Stableford | Use two rows: the top for the number of strokes to complete the hole, and the bottom for the Stableford points earned on that hole |
| Strokes | Number of strokes taken on the hole |
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What You'll Learn
Record your score for each hole
Golf scorecards allow golfers to track their scores and provide vital information about the course. The simplest way to mark your scorecard is to count the number of strokes taken on each hole and write that number down in the box corresponding to that hole. Write down the number of strokes taken, not the number of shots versus par. For example, if you played the first hole, a par 4, and took 5 strokes, write a 5 in the box next to your name and below the first hole's column.
If you make a mistake, cross out the wrong number and write the correct score next to it. At the end of each nine holes, tally up the strokes for your front nine and back nine totals (often marked "out" and "in"), then add up those two numbers for your 18-hole score. Some golfers circle or square certain scores on their scorecards. The circles represent below-par holes, and the squares represent above-par holes. A score that is neither circled nor squared is a par. However, this method is not recommended, especially for beginners and mid- to high-handicap golfers.
If you are playing match play against another golfer, you will mark your scorecard to show how the match stands in relative terms. The match starts out "all square" (tied) because neither golfer has yet won a hole. You can also mark Stableford on your card using two rows: the top for the number of strokes you took to complete the hole and the bottom for the Stableford points earned on that hole.
Some golfers prefer to record their scores using an app instead of a physical scorecard.
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Fill in player names
Golf scorecards allow golfers to track their scores and provide vital information about the course. They can be a bit confusing, especially for beginners.
Scorecards will have spaces along the left side for every player's name, though some cards may only provide enough room for initials. In general, there will only be spaces for four names, as golf is typically played with no more than four players. If you are the one keeping score, your name will usually go in the final slot.
If you are playing with fewer than four players, you can still use the scorecard. Simply leave a space between names and use two rows for one score.
Once you have filled in the player names, you can start to fill in the scores. Note the score each player gets on each hole. Write down the number of strokes each player took, not the number of shots they took versus par. For example, if you played the first hole, a par 4, and took 5 strokes, write a 5 in the box next to your name and below the first hole's column.
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Marking Stableford points
Stableford is a golf scoring system that has been around since 1898. It was invented by Dr. Frank Barney Gorton Stableford to deter golfers from giving up after a poor start to their rounds. Instead of counting the total number of strokes taken, Stableford involves scoring points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole. The objective is to have the highest score, unlike traditional scoring methods.
To mark Stableford points on your card, use two rows: the top row for the number of strokes you took to complete the hole, and the bottom row for the Stableford points earned on that hole. The number of points awarded per hole is determined by the number of strokes taken to par before being adjusted in relation to the player's handicap. For example, a player with a handicap of six will be afforded an extra shot on the holes that have a stroke index of one to six.
- 6 points – Four strokes under
- 5 points – Three strokes under
- 4 points – Two strokes under
- 3 points – One stroke under
- 2 points – Level par
- 1 point – One stroke over
- 0 points – Two strokes or more over
In professional golf, the Modified Stableford is used. Points are awarded as follows:
- 8 points – Three strokes under
- 5 points – Two strokes under
- 2 points – One stroke under
- 0 points – Same number of strokes
- -1 point – One stroke over
- -3 points – Two strokes or more over
In a Modified Stableford, the tournament committee decides the point values according to the strength of the field.
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Handicap section
The handicap section of a golf scorecard can be a little confusing for beginners. Firstly, locate the handicap section, which ranks the holes by difficulty. The handicap, or stroke index, ranks the holes from the hardest (1) to the easiest (18). The index number indicates the number of strokes you should take per hole. The handicap of each hole rarely overlaps with a player's handicap.
Some cards also have a separate ""women's handicap" section, as some holes may play differently for women and men. In match play, both handicaps are relevant. If Player A has a handicap of 2 and Player B has a handicap of 7, the difference is 5. Player B will then be allowed an extra shot on the 5 hardest holes, or the 5 holes with the lowest index.
When playing stroke play, count the number of strokes you've taken on the hole and write that number down in the box corresponding to that hole. When playing match play against another golfer, you'll mark your scorecard to show how the match stands in relative terms. The match starts out "all square" (tied) because neither golfer has yet won a hole.
At the end of each nine holes, tally up the strokes for your front nine and back nine totals (often marked "out" and "in"), then add up those two numbers for your 18-hole score. Repeat the players' playing handicap, which is the same value you entered in the Strokes Received box before the round. Calculate the Nett Score by taking the Total score and deducting the handicap from it.
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Competition name
When filling out a golf scorecard, the first step is to write the name of the competition. This is usually directed by your club, for example, 'June Monthly Medal' or 'Club Stableford'.
The competition name is typically found at the top of the scorecard, along with other general information about the game. This might include the date, the course being played, and the names of the players involved.
It is important to fill out the competition name accurately, as the scorecard is an important record of the game. In some cases, if the scorecard is not filled in correctly, the player can be disqualified. Therefore, it is worth taking the time to understand how to fill out each section of the scorecard, including the competition name.
Additionally, the competition name helps to identify the specific game and can be useful for record-keeping and tracking progress over time. It adds context to the scores and statistics recorded on the scorecard.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf scorecards allow golfers to track their scores and provide vital information about the course.
At the top of the scorecard, you should fill out the name of the competition, the names of the players, and the tees used.
The simplest way to mark the scorecard is to count the number of strokes taken on each hole and write that number down in the box corresponding to that hole.
The handicap section ranks the holes by difficulty. The handicap of each hole rarely overlaps with a player's handicap. When playing match play, players play each other in 1 vs. 1 situations, and the difference between their handicaps determines how many extra shots are allowed.
Calculate totals for the front nine and back nine holes separately, then add these two numbers together for the 18-hole score.
