To find his handicap for a round, a golfer locates on the scorecard the slope and course rating for the tees from which he played. The course rating is subtracted from the player's score, which is then divided by 113 and multiplied by the slope for the tees played. The resulting number is the handicap for that round.
Full Answer
What is golf course slope and how to calculate slope rating?
What is golf course slope and how to calculate slope rating. You calculate slope rating by finding the bogey rating, which is like the course rating, but measured for a bogey golfer. Then subtract the course rating from that figure. Then multiply that figure by 5.381 for men and 4.24 for women. Then round up to the nearest whole number.
How do you calculate handicaps for different tees in golf?
If you play golf with your spouse, you may need to adjust your handicaps for different tees. Normally, applying your handicap to a specific golf match is a straightforward, two-step process: look up your course handicap, then do the math. When opponents are playing from different tees, however, the calculations require some extra steps.
How do golf courses determine course ratings?
To determine the Course Rating for a particular golf course, the USGA determines what score a typical scratch golfer -- a golfer who shoots even par under normal conditions -- would shoot on the course. A typical scratch golfer, as defined by the USGA, hits 250-yard drives and can reach a 470-yard hole in two strokes.
How do I make competition from tees with different course ratings fair?
In order to make competition from tees with different Course Ratings fair, an adjustment to players' Course Handicap must be made. An upward adjustment in handicap for players playing from tees with higher Course Ratings or a decrease in handicap for player playing from tees with lower Course Ratings can be applied.
How do you determine course rating and slope?
The higher the slope, the more difficult the course is. When the slope rating system was first put into effect, the USGA set the slope for an "average" golf course at 113; however, not many 18-hole golf courses have slope ratings that low. Some do, but the real-world average is higher than 113.
Can players play from different tees in match play?
As a result, as long as par is the same from each set of tees being played, no Course Handicap adjustment is needed. In other words, the new calculation automatically accounts for the Course Rating difference, which makes it easier for golfers to have a fair game when they are playing from different tees.
How do you figure out what tees should I play?
Use average 5-Iron distance Example: You hit your 5-iron 150 yards. So 150 times 36 equals 5,400. Choose the tees closest to 5,400 yards in length. If you hit your 5-iron 180 yards, then look for tees around 6,500 yards (180 times 36 equals 6,480).
How do combo tees work?
The idea of “Combination Tees” — using two or more sets of tees to add variety to a course's setup — is probably the easiest way to update a course. Every golfer should have the opportunity to hit par three's in one shot, par fours in two, and par fives in three.
How do you adjust handicaps for different tees?
So if players compete from different tees a second adjustment needs to be made to equalize their handicaps by adding the difference in the Course Rating to Steve's handicap or subtracting the difference in Course Rating to Bob's handicap. They should both end up with the same Net score if they play to their handicaps.
When should I move to the blue tees?
A good rule of thumb to use is if you cannot reach the green on a par three in one shot because of distance, it is a good sign that you should move up a tee. Also, the lower your handicap is, the further back you should be playing.
What tees should I play from based on handicap?
The middle tees are for middle to high handicap men, low-handicap or long-hitting women, and low-handicap or long-hitting senior men. The forward tees are for middle or high handicap women and seniors, and beginners of all stripes.
What height golf tees should I use?
The general recommendation is that the bottom of the golf ball on a tee should be level with the top of the driver; for long and mid-irons, push the tee into the ground so that only about a quarter-inch is above ground.
How is the yardage figured from tee to green?
So, how are the yardages on your scorecard calculated? Short answer, golf holes are measured “across the ground” using the playing route that most golfers will take. For example, on a dogleg hole, the measurement is taken from the tee box to the apex of the dogleg. Then from that apex to the center of the green.
How do you play hybrid tees?
2:082:59Perfect tee heigh for hybrids - hit your hybrid further from the tee - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is how you can adjust the t height. Using a hybrid you want to go high you go on low justMoreThis is how you can adjust the t height. Using a hybrid you want to go high you go on low just adjust your tee height and the ball.
Should I play from the blue or white tees?
White Tees: Men's tees, middle to high handicap, typically the middle option of all the tee boxes, and used by most men. Blue Tees: Men's tees, mostly used for championship or tournament play, and for low handicap male golfers.
How far should you hit a 9 iron?
For men, the average 9 iron distance is between 130-140 yards. A more experienced golfer who makes better contact and is longer, will usually hit it 135 yards and further. A tour pro will hit it closer to 150-160 yards on average. For women, the average will be around 90-100 yards.
Why use combination tees on golf course?
By using combination tees on your course, you can make sure each hole is at the proper distance for your own distance capabilities. There’s no need for the course to purchase new tee markers. If the combo is listed on the scorecard, the player can easily see which tee they are supposed to use. Many courses have already set up these combination tees ...
What is a combination tee?
COMBINATION TEES. Combination tees serve multiple purposes. They can be used between any and all sets of tees. It is a way for a golf course to update the course for their players without the added expense of constructing new tee boxes. Keeping a golf course fresh and interesting for regular players doesn’t necessarily require investing in new tee ...
What is the best way to update a golf course?
The idea of “Combination Tees” — using two or more sets of tees to add variety to a course’s setup — is probably the easiest way to update a course. Every golfer should have the opportunity to hit par three’s in one shot, par fours in two, and par fives in three. If this is not possible, you are playing a course that is too long, ...
How many yds do you need for a 300 yard hitter?
At the extremes, the formula does not work primarily because there are no courses built for the extremes. For a 300 yard hitter, you need a course of 8,400 yds. You could make a good argument that golf for a 300 yard hitter is not as much fun as for the rest of us because all they are hitting is driver and short irons.
What is the downside of making your own golf course?
The only downside to making up your own course is that you will not have a course rating for handicapping. 2.
Can you post a score on a combination tee?
If a player decides to play a combination set of tees while they are golfing and it is not in the GHIN system, there is a way to post a score that is acceptable. The USGA Handicap System not only allows, but encourages this.
Who determines the slope rating of a golf course?
The USGA evaluates many elements of a golf course to determine its Course Rating. Course and slope ratings are calculated by the United States Golf Association. In fact, the USGA trademarks and licenses its USGA Course Rating and USGA Course Slope Rating to the Royal Canadian Golf Association -- countries other than America ...
What is a course rating?
A Course Rating measures the difficulty of a golf course and is a crucial component in determining a player's handicap. The Slope Rating measures the difficulty of a golf course for a bogey golfer. The Course Rating and the Slope Rating typically are printed on the scorecard for a golf course.
How many yards does a scratch golfer hit?
A typical scratch golfer, as defined by the USGA, hits 250-yard drives and can reach a 470-yard hole in two strokes. A typical female scratch golfer hits drives 210 yards and can reach a 400-yard hole in two strokes.
What is Slope Rating?
Slope Rating is described by the USGA as demonstrating the “measurement of the relative playing difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers, compared to scratch golfers”. The higher a course’s Slope Rating, the higher the expected difference of scoring between a scratch golfer and a bogey golfer.
How is Slope Rating Calculated?
To determine the Slope Rating for a course requires two key numbers – Course Rating and Bogey Rating. The Course Rating is the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a golf course for the scratch player (0 handicap.) The Bogey Rating is the evaluation of the difficulty of a course for a bogey player of 20-24 handicap.
What Does a Slope of 113 Mean?
113 is the average Slope Rating signifying a course of standard relative difficulty. The number 113 is used in calculating a player’s Course Handicap. Each player with a WHS Handicap Index can calculate their Course Handicap for any course by dividing the Slope Rating of that course by 113 and multiplying that number by their Handicap Index.
What tees does Fred play on?
In this three-player competition, Fred plays from the Blue tees, Tom plays from White and Dave plays from Gold tees. In a simple situation where you just have two players, the USGA recommends adjusting the Course Handicap of the players playing from the tees with higher Course Ratings.
Do handicaps level the playing field?
Handicaps in golf, though, do not level the playing field when players golf from different sets of tees or from the same tee with different Course Ratings (i.e., men and women's ratings). Comparing scores from different sets of tees or different Course Ratings is like comparing apples to oranges.
How to adjust handicap for different tees?
If you play golf with your spouse, you may need to adjust your handicaps for different tees. Normally, applying your handicap to a specific golf match is a straightforward, two-step process: look up your course handicap, then do the math. When opponents are playing from different tees, however, ...
Do you need a calculator to adjust handicaps?
But don’t let that scare you away from playing with someone who hits from a different tee box. You won’t need a calculator to adjust your handicaps. You just need to learn the correct formula.