What is a Course Slope/Rating
Have you ever noticed the course rating/slope numbers on your scorecard? For Cross Creek the rating for women playing the yellow tees is 67.6/113. For comparison, if you play the front tees at the OGA course it’s 72.2/128. Although you don’t have to worry about those numbers they are used in figuring your course handicap and in calculating your handicap index.
Course Rating
Course rating is a figure that indicates the difficulty of a golf course to a golfer who averages even par on a round of 18 holes. For instance, a course rating of 72 would predict that a scratch golfer would shoot 72 on that particular course. A course rating of 68 would predict that a scratch golfer would shoot a 68.
Course Slope
Course slope is a figure that indicates the difficulty of a course in relation to a golfer who averages a bogey on every hole, and therefore, averages 18-over par on any given round. For instance, a course with a slope of 90 would indicate that an even-par golfer would shoot 72, while a golfer who bogeyed every hole would shoot 90.
Who establishes the course rating?
The USGA has a computer modeling system to calculate the course rating and slope. They begin with assumptions of how far a typical scratch golfer drives the ball (200 yards) vs a typical bogey golfer (150) and how far they would hit their approach shots (150/130 yds). Then they measure landing zones relative to trouble (trees, water, sand, OB) changes in elevation, size of greens, and other things. This data then goes into a computer program that predicts which of these factors would likely result in additional strokes. We have a team of volunteers that work with the OGA to visit each course in Oregon every 6-8 years to remeasure and recalculate these factors.
How is par decided
In the past there were guidelines that were used to set par for a given hole. Because par is now used in calculating our course handicap, there are now more rigid standards for designating holes as par 3,4, or 5. Some other factors may be considered but length is the primary factor.
For women
Par 3 up to 220 yards
Par 4 from 200 to 420 yds
Par 5 from 370 to 600 yds
Par 6 570 yds and more
Have you ever noticed the course rating/slope numbers on your scorecard? For Cross Creek the rating for women playing the yellow tees is 67.6/113. For comparison, if you play the front tees at the OGA course it’s 72.2/128. Although you don’t have to worry about those numbers they are used in figuring your course handicap and in calculating your handicap index.
Course Rating
Course rating is a figure that indicates the difficulty of a golf course to a golfer who averages even par on a round of 18 holes. For instance, a course rating of 72 would predict that a scratch golfer would shoot 72 on that particular course. A course rating of 68 would predict that a scratch golfer would shoot a 68.
Course Slope
Course slope is a figure that indicates the difficulty of a course in relation to a golfer who averages a bogey on every hole, and therefore, averages 18-over par on any given round. For instance, a course with a slope of 90 would indicate that an even-par golfer would shoot 72, while a golfer who bogeyed every hole would shoot 90.
Who establishes the course rating?
The USGA has a computer modeling system to calculate the course rating and slope. They begin with assumptions of how far a typical scratch golfer drives the ball (200 yards) vs a typical bogey golfer (150) and how far they would hit their approach shots (150/130 yds). Then they measure landing zones relative to trouble (trees, water, sand, OB) changes in elevation, size of greens, and other things. This data then goes into a computer program that predicts which of these factors would likely result in additional strokes. We have a team of volunteers that work with the OGA to visit each course in Oregon every 6-8 years to remeasure and recalculate these factors.
How is par decided
In the past there were guidelines that were used to set par for a given hole. Because par is now used in calculating our course handicap, there are now more rigid standards for designating holes as par 3,4, or 5. Some other factors may be considered but length is the primary factor.
For women
Par 3 up to 220 yards
Par 4 from 200 to 420 yds
Par 5 from 370 to 600 yds
Par 6 570 yds and more