hi rob17 hope this helps
Each player or side plays against the par of each hole and receives points according to how he scores in relation to par.

The scoring system is as follows, please note scores are Nett:
2 or more over par (Double-bogey)0 points1 over par (Bogie)1 pointspar2 points1 under par (Birdie)3 points2 under par (Eagle)4 points3 under par (Albatros)5 pointsand so on.. The score is the nett score for each hole dependent on the player's handicap. The normal allowance under Stableford rule is 7/8ths of full handicap though it is becoming common practice for players to receive their full handicap allowance.
The nett score is calculated by taking strokes at the appropriate hole using the stroke index shown on the card. For example, an 18 handicapper will receive one shot on each hole, and a 28 handicapper would receive 2 shots on stroke indexes 1 to 10 and one shot on each remaining hole. If a player shoots a 5 on a Par 4 and has one shot on that hole then his nett score would be 4, resulting in a nett par giving them 2 points for that hole. If they had two shots on that hole then they'd have a nett birdie (5-2 = 3), resulting in 3 points.
Whereas medal play requires you to complete every hole, Stableford is points scored on each hole, so that if you take more than 2 over par nett on any hole you can pick your ball and record an NR, commonly referred to as a Blob. At the end of the round the points are tallied up. If a player plays to handicap then they would score 36 points, averaging 2 points (nett par) per hole
At the end of the 18 holes, the number of points gained at each of the holes is added up to give a total points score and the player with the most points wins. This type of scoring is more fun and allows each player to remain competitive throughout the round where as, in strokeplay, one bad hole can ruin the card.

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cheers slats
"Golf can best be defined as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle"