Stroke play: What is stroke play in golf?
The stroke play, sometimes called medal play or “points-based play,” is the easiest game format to understand: you add up every time the number of strokes taken on each hole, including penalties, and the player with the lowest total for the entire round (or rounds) wins.
This is the format used in major professional tournaments, including the majors, and in most ranking competitions. The Rules of Golf define it as Rule 3.3.
How is a stroke-play round played?
- Every shot counts: A missed hole affects the entire round; there are no “lost holes” that you forget about by the next tee.
- You have to finish each hole: The ball must be holed. A player who forgets to finish a hole must correct the error before playing the next tee (or before turning in his scorecard on the last hole); otherwise, he is disqualified.
- A marker holds the card: He records the player's score, and then both sign it. Recording a score lower than the actual score results in disqualification; a higher score stands.
- Penalties are counted in strokes: The general penalty is two strokes in stroke play.
We distinguish between the gross stroke play (the actual score) and the net stroke play, where strokes received are subtracted from the gross score based on the handicap. For an individual net stroke-play competition, the World Handicap System recommends using 95 percent of the playing handicap.
Stroke play or match play: What's the difference?
| Stroke play | Match play | |
|---|---|---|
| What We're Counting | Total strokes for the round | The number of holes won |
| Opponents | The entire field of competitors | A direct opponent (or side) |
| A really bad hole | Has an impact on the final score | It only costs one hole |
| General Penalty | Two shots | Missed the hole |
| Putts Conceded | Impossible: You have to enter everything | Authorized |
Stroke play or Stableford: What's the difference?
The Stableford is a form of stroke play (Rule 21), but it includes points By hole instead of by stroke: 2 points for net par, 3 for net birdie, 1 for net bogey, 0 for anything worse. Practical implication: In Stableford, you can pick up your ball as soon as you can no longer score points on that hole, without being disqualified. In stroke play, you must finish the hole, regardless of the number of strokes.
That's why Stableford is the preferred scoring system for friendly competitions: it's faster and less punishing for beginners.
How do you play a stroke-play round effectively?
- Avoid a lopsided score: A triple bogey wipes out several good holes. After a bad shot, a cautious play toward the fairway is often better than a miracle shot.
- Aim for the center of the greens when the flag is placed incorrectly.
- Mastering Short Puts: Nothing is a given; every putt has to go in.
- Think about the total score, not the hole: The round is played over 18 holes; a difficult hole may be played for a bogey.
Video Lessons to Help You Manage Your Score Better
Related sections
Guides to Read
Related terms
Frequently Asked Questions: Stroke Play in Golf
What is stroke play in golf?
This is the scoring method where you count all the strokes played during the round, including penalties. The player with the lowest total wins.
What is the difference between stroke play and match play?
In stroke play, you add up the strokes for the entire round. In match play, you play hole by hole against an opponent and count the holes won: even a very bad hole costs you only one hole.
Can you pick up your ball in stroke play?
No, you must finish each hole. A player who fails to hole out must correct the error before the next tee shot; otherwise, he or she is disqualified. You can pick up your ball only in Stableford play.
What is the general penalty in stroke play?
Two strokes. In match play, the same infraction results in the loss of the hole.