Stableford points
Points are always par + strokes received − gross + 2, floored at zero. Formats differ in how points are combined, never in how a point is earned.
The formats ScribbleScore scores
Four formats, and we only list a format here once its rules, rounding and countback behaviour are covered by automated tests. A format that is nearly right is worse than one we do not offer, because nobody finds out until a prize is handed to the wrong person.
At a glance
What each format scores
The difference between them is entirely about what a scoring unit is, and what counts on each hole.
| Format | The unit | What counts on a hole | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Stableford | One player | Every hole, that player's own points | Club medal days, midweek competitions, most society outings |
| Four-ball alliance | The fourball | The best one, two, three or four scores on each hole | Society outings and corporate golf days |
| Two-ball alliance (better ball) | A pair within the fourball | The higher of the pair's two scores on each hole | Pairs competitions and club betterball days |
| Combined Stableford | The fourball | All four scores on every hole, added together | Team days where every player should matter on every hole |
Try them
The same four cards, scored four ways
One set of reviewed scores. Switch the format and the units, totals and ranks are rebuilt by the production engine.
Format
Handicap allowance
One result per player.
| # | Player | Plays off | Points | Back 9 | Back 6 | Back 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T. Bhengu | 8 | 35 | 17 | 12 | 6 |
| T2 | A. Fourie | 13 | 33 | 16 | 10 | 5 |
| T3 | S. Dlamini | 10 | 33 | 15 | 9 | 5 |
| 4 | P. Nel | 17 | 27 | 13 | 9 | 4 |
Two results are level on points. Countback has separated them on the back nine, and the ranks are marked so nobody has to wonder why.
Synthetic players. Every number is computed by src/lib/scoring.
Common to all four
What does not change between formats
Three things behave identically whichever format you pick, which is what makes them predictable.
The handicap allowance
Applied per competition as a percentage, rounded half away from zero to a playing handicap, before any format logic runs.
Countback
Last nine, last six, last three, last hole — applied to the unit, whether that unit is a player, a pair or a fourball. Still level means a shared rank.
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Each in detail
Pick the one you run
Each page sets out the calculation, an incomplete-team case, and how countback behaves for that unit.
Individual Stableford
Unit: One player. Every hole, that player's own points.
How it is scoredFour-ball alliance
Unit: The fourball. The best one, two, three or four scores on each hole.
How it is scoredTwo-ball alliance (better ball)
Unit: A pair within the fourball. The higher of the pair's two scores on each hole.
How it is scoredCombined Stableford
Unit: The fourball. All four scores on every hole, added together.
How it is scoredNot seeing your format?
Medal and stroke play, Texas scramble, greensomes, foursomes and knockouts are all things clubs run, and none of them are on this page because none of them are covered by tests in the product today. Tell us which one you need on a demo call. We would rather scope it honestly than add it to a list.
Questions
About formats and ties
Which competition formats are supported?
Four, each with its rules, rounding and countback behaviour covered by automated tests: individual Stableford, four-ball alliance, two-ball alliance (better ball) and combined Stableford.
For the alliance format you choose how many scores count on each hole, from one to four. The handicap allowance percentage is adjustable per competition, so a format played off 85% is scored off 85%.
If your club plays a format that is not on the list, ask: formats are added on request, and we only list one publicly once its behaviour is under test, because a format that is nearly right is worse than one we do not offer.
Does it handle 9-hole competitions?
Yes. Both 9 and 18 hole competitions are scored, and countback adjusts accordingly: over 9 holes it works from the last six, last three and last hole.
How are ties broken?
By countback, in the standard sequence: the last nine, then the last six, then the last three, then the last hole.
If two players or teams are still exactly level after all four, they share the rank and the next rank is skipped, so two players tied on first are both shown as first and the next is third. The leaderboard marks a result where countback did the separating, so nobody has to wonder why one player is above another on the same points.
Can we apply a handicap allowance?
Yes, as a percentage across the competition, with the common ones a tap away. The playing handicap is calculated from the exact handicap and the allowance, rounded half away from zero, and the leaderboard shows what each player is playing off.
Change the allowance after cards are in and every result is recalculated. You do not re-enter anything.
Can we score divisions?
Not as a single competition, no. ScribbleScore ranks one field per competition, so an A and B division are run as two competitions today, each with its own board and its own countback.
The other route is the CSV export, which carries every player's handicap, gross, points and countback figures, so a committee that wants to split one field afterwards has everything it needs. We would rather tell you that than imply a division button exists.
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