Topic - Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®
Know Before You Play:
When you look at a scorecard or post a score, you’ll often see Course Rating™ and Slope Rating® – two key terms that help ensure fair play across different skill levels. The Course Rating reflects how difficult a course is for a scratch player (Handicap Index of 0.0®) under normal conditions. A Course Rating of 71.2, for example, means a scratch player can expect to shoot around 71 when they play well.
A less-known term is Bogey Rating™, and it is simply the indication of the difficulty of a golf course for the bogey player.
The Slope Rating, on the other hand, represents the relative difficulty of the course for non-scratch players compared to scratch players. The greater the difference between the Course Rating and the Bogey Rating, the higher the Slope Rating. This helps ensure that higher-handicap players receive the appropriate number of strokes.
Together, these Ratings allow every golfer with a Handicap Index to compete equitably – whether you're playing a shorter length municipal course or a championship layout. Understanding how they work helps you get the strokes you need to play on a level playing field.