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

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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