How to play Stroke Play.

Stroke play is golf at its simplest: everyone counts every shot, and the lowest total wins. It is the easiest game to start with a new group.

Players: 1 to 4 players
Scored in: Strokes
Good for: Any group, or a round on your own. The simplest game there is: lowest score wins.

The rules

Everyone plays their own ball and counts every stroke, just like a normal round.
Enter each player's score on every hole.
With net scoring your handicap strokes come off your score. The gold dots by your name show the holes where you get one.

Ann makes 5 on a par 4 where she gets a stroke: a net 4, so a net par. Ben makes 4 and gets no stroke there: a par too. They are level on that hole.

Lowest total wins, net or gross as the game is set.

Full handicaps, net by default. Switch to gross for everyone off scratch.

Every hole is worth a skin. Win a hole outright to take it.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Three matches in one: the front nine, the back nine and all 18, a point each.

2 to 4 players, in two sides. Read the rules

Take turns as the Wolf: pick a partner each hole, or go it alone.

3 or 4 players. Read the rules

Two sides, match play. Your side counts its best score on each hole.

2 to 4 players, in two sides. Read the rules

Points for every hole against par. Most points wins.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Two teams of two. Your two scores make one number: a 4 and a 5 is 45. Low number wins the difference.

4 players, in two teams of two. Read the rules

Three six-hole matches, a new partner for each. A point for each match you win.

4 players. Read the rules

Three players share 9 points a hole: 5 for the best score, 3 for the next, 1 for the last.

3 players. Read the rules

Two teams of two, two points a hole: one for the best score, one for the lower team total.

4 players, in two teams of two. Read the rules

Points for every hole against a target set by your handicap. Beat your quota by the most to win.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules

Three points a hole: first on the green, closest once all are on, first in the hole.

2 to 4 players. Read the rules