Stupid Golf Question
What is course rating?
The scorecard lists course rating and slope rating like they are the same kind of hard
Plain answer first
The plain answer
Course rating estimates the score a scratch golfer would be expected to shoot from a specific set of tees under normal conditions. Slope rating is different: it compares how much harder those tees play for a bogey golfer than for a scratch golfer.
The NPG answer
Course rating is the scratch golfer number; slope is the part explaining why the rest of us may have a longer afternoon.
When it matters
It matters in handicap calculations and when comparing the expected difficulty of different tees or courses.
What to do next
On the scorecard, read course rating and slope together for the tees you are actually playing.
Do this next
What is slope rating?
Slope rating measures how much harder a course plays for a bogey golfer than a scratch golfer.
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