Golf Course Rating & Slope Calculator
Estimate course rating and slope values based on hole parameters. Official ratings require USGA certification, but this provides a close approximation.
Full Course Rating Calculator
Single Hole Difficulty Calculator
1=Open, 10=Extreme hazards
Course Difficulty Comparison
Course A
Course B
Understanding Course Rating & Slope
Course Rating indicates the expected score for a scratch golfer, while Slope Rating measures relative difficulty for bogey golfers compared to scratch golfers.
Rating vs. Slope Chart
| Course Type | Typical Rating | Typical Slope | Scratch Golfer Score | Bogey Golfer Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Municipal | 68.0-70.0 | 105-115 | 70-72 | 85-90 |
| Average Public | 70.0-72.5 | 115-125 | 72-74 | 90-95 |
| Championship | 72.5-75.0 | 125-135 | 74-77 | 95-100 |
| Tournament | 75.0+ | 135-155 | 77+ | 100+ |
Key Rating Factors
Length Factors
- Total yardage
- Effective playing length
- Dogleg severity
- Forced layups
Obstacle Factors
- Bunkers (number and position)
- Water hazards
- Out of bounds areas
- Tree density
Topography
- Elevation changes
- Fairway undulation
- Green complexes
- Wind exposure
Psychological
- Visibility of hazards
- Fairway width
- Recovery options
- Punishment for misses
How Slope Affects Handicaps
| Slope Rating | Handicap Adjustment | Difficulty Level | Example Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-90 | -25% to -5% | Extremely Easy | Short executive courses |
| 91-110 | -5% to +5% | Below Average | Most municipal courses |
| 111-120 | +5% to +15% | Average | Typical public courses |
| 121-130 | +15% to +25% | Difficult | Championship courses |
| 131-155 | +25% to +50% | Extremely Difficult | PGA Tour venues |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Course Rating calculated?
The USGA process involves:
- Measuring effective playing length
- Evaluating 10 obstacle factors per hole
- Considering weather and altitude
- Using scratch/bogey golfer profiles
- Requires certified rating teams
What's the difference between Rating and Slope?
Key distinctions:
- Rating: Absolute difficulty (scratch golfer)
- Slope: Relative difficulty (bogey vs scratch)
- Rating measured in strokes (72.5 = expected score)
- Slope is a multiplier (113 = average)
How often are courses re-rated?
Re-rating schedule:
- Every 4-10 years typically
- After significant course changes
- When new tees are added
- After major landscaping
Why do some courses have multiple ratings?
Multiple tee factors:
- Different lengths for each tee box
- Varying obstacle impacts
- Gender-specific ratings
- Different pars for same hole
How does altitude affect course rating?
Altitude adjustments:
- Above 2,000 feet gets length reduction
- ~1% yardage reduction per 1,000 ft
- Affects rating but not slope
- Dry air increases roll