Stableford Handicap

Stableford Handicap
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In Stableford, your Playing Handicap is 95% of your Course Handicap — slightly reduced from your full allowance. Here's how to calculate it with worked examples.

WHS Rule

For individual Stableford competitions, the WHS Playing Handicap allowance is 95% of your Course Handicap, rounded to the nearest whole number.

The formula

Step by step

Course Handicap = HI × (Slope ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par)

Playing Handicap (Stableford) = Course Handicap × 0.95, rounded

Calculate your Course Handicap

Multiply your Handicap Index by the course Slope Rating divided by 113, then add the difference between Course Rating and Par. Round to the nearest whole number.

Multiply your Course Handicap by 0.95

This 5% reduction is the WHS standard allowance for individual Stableford — it applies to all golfers equally, so competition fairness is preserved.

Round to the nearest whole number

0.5 rounds up. This is your Playing Handicap — the number of shots you receive in the competition, distributed by Stroke Index.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Mid-handicapper (Slope 120, CR 71.5, Par 71)

Handicap Index14.2

Course Handicap: 14.2 × (120 ÷ 113) + (71.5 − 71)= 16.6 → 17

Playing Handicap: 17 × 0.95= 16.15 → 16

Result: This player receives 16 shots, distributed across the 16 hardest Stroke Index holes.

Example 2 — High handicapper (Slope 113, CR 72.0, Par 72)

Handicap Index28.0

Course Handicap: 28.0 × (113 ÷ 113) + (72.0 − 72)= 28

Playing Handicap: 28 × 0.95= 26.6 → 27

Result: This player receives 27 shots — one shot on each of the 18 holes plus a second shot on the 9 hardest Stroke Index holes.

Stableford points scoring

Once you have your Playing Handicap and know which holes you receive shots on, Stableford scoring works as follows. Your net score on each hole (gross minus any shots received on that hole) is compared to par.

Net double bogey or worse — pick up

Net bogey

Net par

Net birdie

Net eagle

Net albatross

WHS allowances by format

The 95% applies to individual Stableford. Different formats use different allowances.

Format	Allowance
Individual Stableford	95% of Course Handicap
Individual Stroke Play (medal)	95% of Course Handicap
Singles Matchplay	100% of Course Handicap
Four-ball better ball matchplay	85% of Course Handicap (each player)
Foursomes matchplay	50% of combined Course Handicap
Greensomes matchplay	(0.6 × lower CH) + (0.4 × higher CH)

Common questions

Why is the Stableford allowance 95% and not 100%?

The 5% reduction is the WHS standard for stroke-based individual formats. It exists because golfers historically score better in a Stableford competition (where you pick up on bad holes) than in a medal round. The slight reduction helps balance competition fairness across the field. It applies equally to all players, so it doesn't disadvantage any handicap group.

Does my club have to use 95% — can they give full handicap?

Clubs can adjust allowances for casual or non-qualifying competitions — for example, some societies run Stableford at 100% handicap for fun days. However, for any WHS qualifying competition, the 95% allowance is the mandated standard. Check with your club if you're unsure whether a particular round qualifies.

Is Stableford the same allowance as stroke play?

Yes — both individual Stableford and individual stroke play (medal) use 95% of Course Handicap as the Playing Handicap. The format changes how scores are recorded and compared, but the handicap allowance is identical under WHS.

Do Stableford rounds count towards my WHS handicap?

Yes — qualifying Stableford rounds are converted to a Score Differential and count towards your Handicap Index. The round must be played under the Rules of Golf in a properly administered competition or as a general play round posted via your club or national federation's app.