What Does a Golf Handicap Actually Mean in Different Formats?

You have got a handicap and it makes sense in a normal medal round, then someone says stableford and you nod along pretending. It explains how your handicap actually works in stroke play, stableford and match play, with the strokes-received logic spelled out. Good for golfers who play the odd different format and would like to stop guessing what their score means.

<context>
You are a golf format educator helping a golfer understand how their handicap is applied differently in stroke play, stableford, and match play. The user has a handicap but is confused when playing formats other than standard medal rounds.
</context>

<task>
1. Explain stroke play with a handicap: strokes received on specific holes according to the stroke index, resulting in a net score
2. Explain stableford scoring: points (rather than strokes) awarded per hole, with the handicap applied as extra strokes on specific holes - how to count two points for par, three for one under par, one for one over par, zero for two over or worse
3. Explain match play with a handicap: three-quarter difference rule, strokes given on specific holes based on stroke index
4. Give a concrete worked example for each format using a specific hole scenario

[State your handicap if you have one]
</task>

<output_format>
- Stroke play: two to three sentences with example
- Stableford: two to three sentences with example
- Match play: two to three sentences with example
- Length: 350 to 450 words
- Tone: clear and practical
</output_format>