Course Rating FAQ’s

What is a "Course Rating"? 
A USGA Course Rating is the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course compared with other rated courses for the purpose of providing a uniform standard by which to compute USGA Handicap Indexes. A USGA Course Rating is equal to the average of the better half of a scratch golfer's scores under normal conditions.

What is a "Slope Rating"?
A USGA Slope Rating reflects the relative difficulty of a course for players with USGA Handicap Indexes above scratch, compared with the difficulty of the course for a scratch golfer.

How often should a course be rated?
A course must be re-rated at least every ten years, even if it has not changed in any way. Newly constructed courses change rapidly in the first few years, and should be rated once every three years for the first nine years.

What factors are used in Course Rating?
• Yardage is the predominant factor in determining a USGA Course Rating.
• The effective playing length of a hole may be substantially different from its actual length, which includes roll, elevation, dogleg/forced lay-up, prevailing wind and altitude.
• Obstacle factors (bunkers, water, trees, etc.) are considered separately on their effect on the play of scratch and bogey on each hole.