Stableford is a scoring system used in golf that involves scoring points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole, rather than counting the total number of strokes taken as in regular stroke play. The Stableford system was developed by Frank Barney Gorton Stableford in 1898 to deter golfers from giving up on their round after just one or two bad holes. It was first used informally at the Glamorganshire Golf Club, Penarth, Wales, and first used in competition at Wallasey Golf Club in Wallasey, England, in 1932.

In the Stableford system, points are awarded based on the net score of the player (or team) on each hole, which is the players score minus their handicap. The aim of Stableford is to accumulate the most number of points over the course of 18 holes. The points awarded for each hole are as follows:

• 6 points – Four strokes under
• 5 points – Three strokes under
• 4 points – Two strokes under
• 3 points – One stroke under
• 2 points – Level par
• 1 point – One stroke over
• 0 points – Two strokes or more over

The Stableford system can be modified to use different point levels, commonly referred to as Modified Stableford. In professional golf, points in Modified Stableford are awarded as follows:

• 8 points – Three strokes under
• 5 points – Two strokes under
• 2 points – One stroke under
• 0 points – Same number of strokes
• -1 point – One stroke over
• -3 points – Two strokes or more over

Stableford can have the added benefit of speeding up the pace of play, as once it is no longer possible to score a point, players do not have to complete the hole but can simply pick up their ball and proceed to the next hole. It is a popular form of the game, especially at club level and particularly in the United Kingdom, as it is still possible to record a competitive score despite having the occasional bad hole.