What Is Stroke Play in Golf?
Stroke Play: The most common competitive format — count every stroke, lowest total wins.
Stroke Play — full definition
The most common format in competitive golf, where each player counts every stroke over the full round. The player with the lowest total score wins. Most professional tournaments and handicap-qualifying rounds use stroke play. Net stroke play applies handicap strokes to produce a net score for equitable competition.
Stroke Play — frequently asked
Stroke Play — how does it work?
- Every stroke counts over the full round
- Player with the lowest total score wins
- Most professional tournaments and handicap-qualifying rounds use this format
What about Net Stroke Play?
- Handicap strokes are applied to produce a net score
- Allows fair competition between players of different skill levels
More on Stroke Play
Stroke play is the format your handicap record is built from, so the scoring tools all assume it by default.
- Score differential calculatorTurn today’s stroke-play round into a posted differential.
- Handicap calculatorThe 95% stroke-play allowance starts from this number.
- StablefordThe alternative when one blow-up hole should not cost you the round.
Other game formats
Match Play
A hole-by-hole format — win the most holes, not the lowest total score.
Stableford
A points-based scoring system where the highest point total wins.
Best Ball
A team format where each player plays their own ball and the best score on each hole counts.
Scramble
The most popular team format — pick the best shot each time, everyone plays from there.
Alternate Shot
A two-person format where partners take turns hitting the same ball.
Skins
A gambling format where each hole has a set value — win the hole outright, win the money.
Nassau
The most common betting format — three bets in one: front nine, back nine, and overall.