Calculation of Slope for a Golf Handicap
In order for the golf handicapping system to work effectively, it must factor in the difficulty of different golf courses. This is accomplished with what is called a slope rating.
Other People Are Reading
-
USGA Ratings
-
The United States Golf Association establishes course ratings and slope ratings for every golf course in the country.
Course Rating
-
Course ratings are estimates of the score a player would make on a specific course if the player could shoot a par round on an average course.
-
Slope Rating
-
An estimate is also made of the likely score of golfers who would shoot 90 on an average par 72 course. From this estimate and the course rating a slope rating is computed. It indicates how much more difficult the course is to less skilled players. Slope ratings range from 55 for the easiest course to 155 for the most terrifying. The rating for an average course is 113.
Use in Handicaps
-
When a player posts a score in the handicap system, its difference from the course rating is found and that is scaled by the slope rating for the course.
Use in Competitions
-
In handicap competitions, players receive strokes based on the slope rating of the course where they play as well as their individual handicap indexes.
-
