Stroke play: count every stroke
Learn how total strokes determine the winner, how penalties count, and why finishing each hole matters.
By Fore Alarm · Updated October 31, 2026
The simple version
In regular stroke play, add the strokes you make and any penalty strokes. The lowest total wins. In net competition, the applicable handicap adjustment is used.
A quick example
You score 5, 4 and 6 on three holes. Your total is 15. One difficult hole affects your overall total, unlike match play, where the contest is decided hole by hole.
Before you start
Confirm the tees, number of holes, gross or net scoring, and how ties will be settled. Regular stroke play requires holing out; do not assume a friendly conceded putt counts in competition. Maximum Score and Stableford have different completion rules.
Check your card
Make sure each hole score includes penalties. Follow the competition’s requirements for checking, certifying and returning your card.
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Put your knowledge to the test →Keep learning
All lessons →Stableford · points instead of a running stroke total
Each hole earns points against a target score set by the Committee. With par as the target, a bogey earns 1 point, par 2, birdie 3 and eagle 4; double bogey or worse earns 0. The highest points total wins.
Read lesson Golf Formats · 2 minMatch play · win the hole, then start fresh
Compete hole by hole. The lower score wins the hole; equal scores tie it. Being “2 up” means you have won two more holes than your opponent. The match ends when your lead exceeds the holes remaining.
Read lesson Golf Formats · 2 minBest ball vs. scramble: understand four-ball
Two partners each play their own ball. The side’s score for a hole is the lower of the two scores. It can be played as match play or stroke play.
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