The SSS stands for Standard Scratch Score. This is the score a scratch golfer (one with a handicap of 0) would be expected to make. So if the SSS of your course is 72, the expectation is that a scratch golfer would have 72 shots to complete the course.

After a qualifying competition, all the players scores are considered and the Competition Scratch Score (CSS) is calculated. The CSS rates the course for the day, based on how well everyone has played. If it was a really tough day and very few players managed to play within their handicaps the CSS may go up and if it was an easy day and everyone played well the CSS may go down.

Is a points scoring system. You score points in the following way:
2+ over par = 0 pts, 1 over par = 1 pt, Par = 2 pts, 1 under par = 3pts, 2 under par = 4 pts, 3 under par = 5 pts and so on.

Every hole will have what’s called a stroke index, this rates the hole in terms of it’s difficulty. For example a hole with stroke index 1 is deemed to be the hardest hole on the course, whilst a stroke index of 18 suggests its the easiest hole on the course.

When you play a stableford competition you need to take your gross score for each hole, adjust it for your handicap and then find out how many points you got.

For example, a player with a handicap of 20. On the 3rd hole, stroke index 1, with a par of 4, gross score of 6: 6-2 (player gets 2 shots on this hole) = 4 which is par and therefore 2 points. It sounds complicated but once you get the idea it’s a great way of knowing how you’re playing. After 18 holes if you’ve got a score around 36 you’re doing really well.