A birdie is one under par, an eagle is two under, a bogey is one over, and the rest follow the same count. Find the name in the chart to see the strokes on a par 3, 4 or 5, and the Stableford points it scores: birdie 3, par 2, bogey 1, double bogey 0.
The ChartScoring terms, strokes and Stableford points
| Name | Against par | On a par 3 | On a par 4 | On a par 5 | Stableford points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condor | 4 under | Not possible | Not possible | 1 (hole in one) | 6 |
| Albatross (double eagle) | 3 under | Not possible | 1 (hole in one) | 2 | 5 |
| Eagle | 2 under | 1 (hole in one) | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Birdie | 1 under | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Par | Even | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Bogey | 1 over | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| Double bogey | 2 over | 5 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Triple bogey | 3 over | 6 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
Source: The R&A, The Rules of Golf, Rule 21.1b (Stableford, Table 21.1b). The names and stroke counts are common usage and simple arithmetic from par.
Strokes are your total on the hole, penalty strokes included. A hole in one is a 1 on any par: an eagle on a par 3, an albatross on a par 4 and a condor on a par 5.
StablefordHow the points work
Rule 21.1b says points are awarded by comparing your score to a fixed target score for the hole, which is par unless the Committee sets a different target. The R&A's table reads like this.
| 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 |
Source: The R&A, The Rules of Golf, Rule 21.1b, Table 21.1b.
In a handicap competition, the Committee applies your handicap strokes to the score you entered for each hole before it calculates the points (Rule 21.1b(2)). That is why a golfer who receives one stroke can write down a 5 on a par 4 and still score 2 points: a net par. The strokes received chart shows which holes give you strokes.
HandicapNet double bogey
For handicap purposes, a golfer with an established Handicap Index has a maximum score on each hole, called net double bogey. Rule 3.1b of the Rules of Handicapping gives the formula: par of the hole, plus 2 strokes, plus any handicap strokes the player receives on that hole. It is also the lowest score on a hole that earns zero Stableford points.
| Par of the hole | Receive 0 strokes | Receive 1 stroke | Receive 2 strokes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Par 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Par 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Par 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Source: The R&A, The Rules of Handicapping, Rule 3.1b (par + 2 + handicap strokes received), worked out for 0, 1 and 2 strokes.
A plus handicap player who gives strokes back on a hole subtracts them instead. Before a first Handicap Index has been established, the limit is par + 5 on each hole (Rule 3.1a).
Using itHow to use this chart
Start with par for the hole, then count from it. A 5 on a par 4 is one over, so a bogey. A 5 on a par 5 is par. A 5 on a par 3 is a double bogey.
For Stableford, work out the score against par first, then read the points. If you receive a stroke on the hole, take it off your total before you read the points, as the strokes received chart shows.
For what the other numbers on the card mean, see how to read a golf scorecard. For other golf words, the golf glossary has them.
Watch forCommon mix-ups
Albatross and double eagle are the same score. Both mean three under par for the hole.
A bogey still scores a point. Under Rule 21.1b one over the fixed target score is 1 point. It takes more than one over, or no score returned, to get 0.
Triple bogey scores the same as double bogey in Stableford. Both are zero, which is why a hole that has gone wrong is worth leaving. Rule 21.1b encourages players to stop playing a hole when their score will result in zero points.
Net and gross get mixed up. The names in the chart describe the strokes you took. In handicap Stableford the points come from your net score, after strokes received.
A hole you do not finish scores zero. Rule 21.1b gives zero points to a player who does not hole out under the Rules for any reason. For giving putts and picking up in friendly play, see gimmes, concessions and mulligans.
The target is par unless the Committee says otherwise. If a competition uses a different fixed target score, the points shift with it. Check with your club or committee.
FAQQuick answers
What is an albatross in golf?
An albatross is a score of three under par on a hole, also called a double eagle. That is a 2 on a par 5, or a hole in one on a par 4. In Stableford it earns 5 points.
What is a condor in golf?
A condor is four under par on a hole. A score cannot go below 1, so the only way to make one is a hole in one on a par 5. Under Rule 21.1b, four under the fixed target score is 6 points.
What do you call a hole in one on a par 3, 4 or 5?
On a par 3 it is an eagle, on a par 4 an albatross and on a par 5 a condor. The name depends on par, because it counts how far under par the 1 is.
How many Stableford points is a birdie, par and bogey?
A birdie is 3 points, par is 2 and a bogey is 1. A double bogey or worse is 0, as is a hole with no score returned. The source is Table 21.1b in Rule 21.1b of the Rules of Golf.
What is a net double bogey?
It is the par of the hole plus 2 strokes plus any handicap strokes you receive on that hole (Rules of Handicapping, Rule 3.1b). On a par 4 where you receive one stroke, that is 7. It is the lowest score on a hole that would earn zero Stableford points.
Does a triple bogey score less than a double bogey in Stableford?
No. More than one over the fixed target score is 0 points, so double bogey, triple bogey and anything worse all score zero.