Bingo Bango Bongo
Also called BBB, Bingle Bangle Bungle
Three points a hole: first on the green, closest to the pin, first in the hole.
2–6 players · best with 3–4Points GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreNo handicaps needed
How to play →Points Games · Outing & Tournament Formats · Solo & Practice
Stableford
Also called Points Play, Stableford Points, Points, Modified Stableford
Score points per hole against net par; highest total wins.
- Players
- Any number, solo too
- Play as
- Any format
- Scorekeeping
- Easy
- Handicaps
- Handicaps recommended
- Money
- Money optional
- Type
- Points Games
How to play
Each player plays their own ball and converts each hole's net score into points. Once you can no longer score on a hole you pick up, which speeds play. Invented by Dr Frank Stableford, who devised it in 1931; first played at Wallasey GC in 1932. Standard for UK club competitions and many US leagues.
Scoring
Net double bogey or worse 0, bogey 1, par 2, birdie 3, eagle 4, albatross 5 (4 under = 6). 36 points = playing to your handicap; 30+ is a good day. WHS allowance 95% of course handicap for individual Stableford, 85% for four-ball Stableford.
Variations
- Modified Stableford (negative points for bogeys)
- Team Stableford / Bowmaker
- Joker Stableford (double points on a chosen hole)
- Quota/Chicago (points versus a personal target)
- Russian Stableford
- Modified Tour scale with negatives
- Quota / Chicago scale (bogey 1, par 2, birdie 4, eagle 8) against a target
- Team Stableford using one or two best point scores per hole
Tips
- Never spend a stroke on a hole where you can't score; pick up and move on
- Know your stroke holes before you tee off
- Pick up once you cannot score; it speeds play
- Aggressive play is rewarded because bad holes cost nothing extra
- Use current handicaps
One disaster hole costs you two points, not your whole round.
Works with
Each link opens every game that works for that number of players.
Related games
Nines (5-3-1)
Also called Nine Point Game, 9s, Nine Points
Threesome game splitting 9 points a hole: 5 for low, 3 for middle, 1 for high.
3 players only · best with 3Points GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to score
How to play →Chicago
Also called 39s, Thirty-Nines, Chicago Quota
Stableford-style points chased against a personal quota of 39 minus your handicap.
Any number, solo tooPoints GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreHandicaps required
How to play →Quota
Also called Points Game, Quota Points, Dogfight
Beat your personal point quota (36 minus handicap) by the widest margin.
Any number, solo tooPoints GamesEveryone for themselvesEasy to scoreHandicaps required
How to play →Sources
Rules reflect the version most groups play, cross-checked across these sources. House rules vary; agree yours on the first tee.
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