In stroke play, every player (or team) competes all 18 holes and counts the total number of strokes and the party with the lower total nett score (gross score minus handicap) wins. This form of golf is the most severe test, as unlike Stableford, every shot counts and a player cannot submit a score unless they fully complete and putt-out on every hole.

Players normally go out in threes or sometimes in twos, for example at professional events. The format is used in professional and club competitions. In the case of multiple round tournaments, the scores are generally aggregated over the tournament with the lowest total shots at the end competition winning the event.