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Introduction of Course Rating Principals
The USGA Course Rating System is designed to ensure that the rating of a course is in proper relation to the rest of the courses. A USGA Course Rating is based on the performance of the scratch golfer and is equal to the average of the better half of a scratch golfer's scores made under normal conditions. It also provides procedures for determining Bogey Ratings based on the performance of the bogey golfer. These ratings are used to provide the USGA Slope Ratings. Through the collection of data on thousands of golfers and thousands of golf holes, the factors that affect the difficulty of a golf hole have been evaluated and assigned numerical values that yield accurate USGA Course and Slope Ratings when applied to the entire course. The Slope System addresses the problem of portability of handicaps. This System adjusts a player's USGA Handicap Index according to the difficulty of the golf course being played. Under the Slope System, courses are rated according to the relative difficulty for both the scratch and the bogey golfer. The Course Rating System takes into account the factors that affect the playing difficulty of a course. Accuracy and consistency are the keys to effective course rating. A course must first be accurately measured, and the measured yardage must be corrected for factors that effect the playing length, which are roll, changes in elevation, forced lay-ups, doglegs, prevailing wind and altitude. Obstacles that affect playing difficulty must then be evaluated in accordance with established standards. These standards reduce subjectivity in course rating. Men and women are rated separately using different yardages, landing zones, obstacles etc. A golf course is rated on its measured length and its playing difficulty under normal conditions. If the length or playing difficulty changes materially, handicaps will be distorted. Placement of tees and holes must be balanced each day and maintenance practices (watering, cutting, etc.) must be consistent from day to day and month to month so that the USGA Course Rating will remain valid. |
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