A Quota points game is one of the most enjoyable and fast-paced formats in golf, turning a regular stroke-play round into an exciting points-based battle. This complete guide will walk you through exactly how to determine quota points, from figuring out your personal target to scoring each hole and calculating the winner. You’ll learn the standard rules and gain some simple strategies to help you come out on top in your next Quota competition.
Before we learn how to calculate it, let's get on the same page about what a Quota format is. Unlike traditional stroke play where the lowest total score wins, a Quota game is a points-based system. Each player has a "Quota" - a target number of points they need to achieve - based on their handicap. Your goal is to score more points than your personal Quota.
On each hole, you don't just write down your number of strokes, you earn points based on your score relative to par (similar to a Stableford). A bogey might be worth one point, a par two points, a birdie four points, and so on. At the end of the round, you subtract your Quota from your total points. The player with the highest final number (e.g., +5, +2, -1) wins.
This format is fantastic for groups of mixed abilities because everyone competes against their own potential, not just against scratch golfers. It also encourages aggressive, fun golf, as one bad hole won’t ruin your day - a double bogey scores zero points, the same as a quintuple bogey. This lets you swing freely and chase those high-value birdies.
The first and most fundamental step is to determine each player's individual Quota. This is the target number of points they are expected to earn throughout the round. While a group can agree on any baseline, the most common and widely used method for an 18-hole round is called the "Chicago" or "39" system.
The calculation is beautifully simple: subtract your course handicap from 39. The resulting number is your Quota for the round.
Formula: 39 - Your Course Handicap = Your Quota
Let's look at a few examples:
The number 39 is used because in a perfect round for an "average" golfer, they would make 18 pars. With a par being worth 2 points each (more on this below), this adds up to 36 points (18 holes x 2 points). The "39" provides a baseline that assumes a solid performance slightly better than your handicap, making the target challenging but fair for everyone.
While 39 is standard, you might run into groups that use a different baseline. The most popular alternatives are 38 or 36. Using a lower number like 36 makes the Quota slightly easier to achieve, while a higher number like 39 makes it more difficult. The most important thing is that your entire group agrees on the baseline number before you tee off. For this guide, we'll stick with the standard 39.
Once you have your Quota, the next step is to play your round and accumulate points. The point system typically used in Quota games heavily rewards better-than-par scores, incentivizing golfers to go for birdies and eagles. It puts the "risk-reward" element of golf on full display.
The standard Quota (or Stableford) point values for your net score on a hole are as follows:
Notice the huge jumps for good scores! A birdie is worth four times more than losing one point for a bogey. Making one birdie (4 points) cancels out the bogey on four other holes. This changes your mindset from avoiding mistakes to actively hunting for opportunities.
This is where your handicap comes back into play on the course. You earn points based on your net score, not your gross score. Your net score is your actual score on a hole minus any handicap strokes you receive on that hole.
Here’s how to apply it:
This is where you bring it all together. During the round, a designated scorekeeper should track both the gross score and the Quota points for each player on every hole. At the end of 18 holes, you’ll perform one final, simple calculation to see who won.
Let's follow a fictional golfer named "Bob" to see how it works. Bob has a 15 handicap.
1. Bob's Quota: 39 - 15 = 24 Quota. Bob’s target is 24 points.
Here's his scorecard for a tough three-hole stretch:
| Hole | Par | Stroke Index | Bob's Gross Score | Net Score Calc | Bob's Net Score | Quota Points |
|------|-----|--------------|-------------------|----------------|-----------------|--------------|
| 10 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 - 1 stroke | 5 (Bogey) | 1 point |
| 11 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 5 - 1 stroke | 4 (Birdie) | 4 points |
| 12 | 3 | 17 | 4 | 4 - 0 strokes | 4 (Bogey) | 1 point |
The scorekeeper continues this for all 18 holes. Let's say at the end of the round, Bob's total accumulated points are 28.
Once you have the total points, subtract the Quota you calculated in Step 1.
Formula: Total Points Earned - Your Quota = Your Final Score
For Bob:
28 Total Points - 24 Quota = +4
Bob successfully beat his Quota by 4 points. The player with the highest score relative to their Quota wins the day. A leaderboard might look like this:
| Player | Handicap | Quota | Total Points | Final Score |
|----------|----------|-------|--------------|-------------|
| Susan | 8 | 31 | 34 | +3 |
| Mike | 22 | 17 | 16 | -1 |
| Bob | 15 | 24 | 28 | +4 |
| David | 4 | 35 | 35 | 0 |
In this scenario, Bob is the winner with a score of +4!
Mastering the Quota format is simply about understanding how to set the target and a simple points system that rewards good shots. It's a fresh, competitive alternative to stroke plaît that keeps every golfer engaged until the final putt, regardless of their skill level.
Calculating points, remembering which holes you get strokes on, and tracking everyone’s score can sometimes get in the way of just enjoying your round. This is where modern tools can help. For instance, Caddie AI serves as a live golf coach and caddie right in your pocket. Not only can it provide strategy and shot advice, but a feature like its game tracker can handle the Quota calculations for your whole group, so you can stop doing mental math and focus on hitting your next great shot that racks up the points.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
