Golf Slope Rating

For the aspiring Tiger Woods, Jyoti Randhawas and Phil Mickelsons, golf slope rating is a very amorous term. They probably breathe these terms day in and day out while practicing golf. But to get a better idea of what a slope rating is, we first need to know what is a course rating, scratch golfer and a bogey golfer. So here it goes...

What is Slope Rating?
To start off lets elucidate the term slope rating, a brief explanation about scratch golfers and bogey golfers. According to the USGA, a scratch golfer is defined as "An amateur player who plays to the standard of the stroke play qualifiers competing in the United States Amateur Championship. The male scratch golfer hits his tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots. The female scratch golfer can hit her tee shots an average of 210 yards and can reach a 400-yard hole in two shots." In short, a golfer who can shoot par or better. Likewise, bogey golfers are defined by USGA as "A player with a USGA Handicap Index of 17.5 to 22.4 strokes for men and 21.5 to 26.4 for women. Under normal situations the male bogey golfer can hit his tee shot 200 yards and can reach a 370-yard hole in two shots. Likewise, the female bogey golfer can hit her tee shot 150 yards and can reach a 280-yard hole in two shots. Players who have a Handicap Index between the parameters above, but are unusually long or short off the tee are not considered to be a bogey golfer for course rating purposes."

Now that this is clear, it will be easier to explain what is a slope rating. It refers to the measurement of a course especially for bogey golfers, relative to the course rating. Now this course rating indicates the scratch golfers, how difficult the course will be for them. And slope rating tells bogey golfers, how tough it will be for them. Slope rating is a determinant in the calculation of a handicap index and it is also used to know how much is the course handicap. Bogey rating is the assessment of the playing difficulty of the course and this along with course rating determine the slope rating. Slope rating is calculated from the difference between the course rating and the bogey rating. Minimum slope rating is 55 and maximum is 155. This is very important because then, the golfer can decide upon his game plan and the golf swing he or she needs to have.

How are Slope Rating Determined?
Slope rating for a course is determined by a USGA rating team on the basis of their visit to the course. Normally the rating team spends a lot of time on the course and take measurements of a lot of things. The USGA ideally suggests that the rating team play the course either before or after the rating visit as well. Then based on the information gathered during the visit/s, the course slope and rating are calculated, which are certified by the concerned overseeing golf associations and then the statistics are passed on to the club. Later the club posts the ratings on its scorecard and elsewhere. Previously, the length of the course was a major consideration in determining the slope rating. Consequently, longer the course, the higher the rating. Now, obstacles, along with the distance is an important component of the whole process of golf slope rating.

All said and done, while the rating team is on its visits and is assessing the course for determining the golf course slope, they have to step in the shoes of bogey golfers as well as scratch golfers. The formula for slope rating is: bogey course rating minus USGA course rating multiplied by set factor i.e. 5.381 for men or 4.24 for women.

That was all about how a golf slope rating is calculated and then communicated to the club. Now for those who are not well acquainted with the golf jargon would perhaps be baffled by it. But those who know, they have a fair idea how cumbersome this concept of golf slope rating is. It is not an easy job at all! If you thought it is an easy job, think twice! A considerable 'par' is necessary, when it comes to understanding the nitty gritties of a golf slope rating!