Strategy in Stableford Competitions
The strategy in Stableford formats can, in most instances, be summed up in three words: Go for it.
Stableford competitions reward aggression and risk-taking on the golf course. In the traditional Stableford, for example, there are no negative points. If you are facing a carry over water that you normally wouldn't try, in Stableford you can take a shot at it - because if you fail, at worst, you get 0 points. And if you make it? The potential rewards are greater than the potential disaster.
At the pro events, the Modified format presents even greater incentive to go for it. A birdie is worth twice as many positive points (2) as a bogey is worth punitive points (-1). Eagles offer huge payoffs (5 points).
The professionals who thrive at The International and ANZ Championship are those who make a lot of birdies at regular Tour stops. A golfer whose strength is steadiness - making many pars with an occasional birdie - is at a disadvantage in Modified Stableford. Those golfers who make a few bogeys but also make a ton of birdies are more likely to be atop the leaderboards.
Using Handicaps in Stableford Competitions
When those of us who aren't pros are playing Stableford, we'll need to use our handicaps in order to pile up the points. How many gross birdies will a 20-handicapper make per round? Close to zero. Pars will be pretty scarce, too. It would be difficult for a 20-handicapper to earn many points playing Stableford at scratch.
According to the USGA Handicap Manual, Section 9-4b(viii), players in a Stableford competition should use full course handicaps, with strokes taken as they are allocated on the scorecard.
There is an alternative way to try to make Stableford equitable for all players, without using handicaps. Rather than applying handicaps, a tournament might be played so that different point totals are awarded to players of different skill levels. Example: A par might be worth 1 point to competitors with handicaps of 2 or less; 2 points for golfers whose handicaps are 3-8; and so on up the ladder.
There are two problems with this approach. First, it's tough to figure out what points totals should match which handicap levels in a way that ensures equity for all players. Second, with such an approach keeping score is simply a very confusing task.
