Every scorecard includes a pair of numbers next to the tees to help a player determine the difficulty of the golf course: rating and slope. We mentioned these in a previous post Reading Between the Lins of a Scorecard.
Full Answer
What is the golf course rating on the scorecard?
The golf course rating is also on the scorecard. The course rating is a representation of a course's difficulty expressed in the expected score for a scratch golfer. For example, if a course is listed as a par 72, but it’s rated to be fairly difficult, the rating might show up as a 73.2.
How does a golf scorecard work?
After completing each hole, a golfer records his score on a scorecard. Each player is responsible for keeping his own score and being truthful when writing down his number of shots. The scorecard also serves as a guide for the golfer when playing the course, showing most difficult holes and the yardages for each hole.
What does the par on a golf scorecard mean?
The par section of the scorecard represents the expected score on that hole to par for a scratch golfer. Your score to par helps to calculate your golf handicap. You can check out our golf handicap calculator to view what yours is based on your recent rounds. As mentioned above, each hole is assigned a handicap index.
How is the score calculated on a golf course?
On the left side of each row is a wider box for the player’s name and boxes to total the score for each nine holes and for the total 18-hole score. Par is the target score for each hole, the number a good player expects to achieve.
What information is on a golf scorecard?
In its physical form, the scorecard is a rigid piece of paper that a golfer uses to keep track of the number of strokes taken on each hole, among other things. The number of strokes allowed in order to make par on each hole is indicated, as well as the difficulty ranking of each hole.
How do you read a golf course layout?
A pin sheet has 18 circles, each representing 1 of the 18 holes on the course. Usually the 18 circles are divided into three columns of six to make it easy to fold and store in your yardage book. The left side is holes 1-6, the middle column is 7-12, and the right is holes 13-18.
How do I read a golf scorecard?
0:062:38How to Read a Golf Scorecard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn means the back nine the total is it would be your total score for the two 18s two nines then anyMoreIn means the back nine the total is it would be your total score for the two 18s two nines then any handicap that you have subtracted from your total would be the net.
What do the ratings on a golf course mean?
Course Rating indicates the difficulty of a course for a “par” or scratch golfer. For example, if a course has a par of 72, the Course Rating might be 71.4. This is the score the scratch golfer is expected to shoot on the course. The number goes up with the difficulty of the course.
What does Gd mean on a golf scorecard?
GD stands for Green Depth (golf)
What are the 5 major components of a golf course?
To play with the right club, you have to have a better understanding of the hole you are playing, especially its parts. Each hole in a course has 5 major parts namely Tee, Fairway, Green, Rough and Hazards. Understanding these parts allow you to plan your shots right.
What does thru F mean in golf leaderboard?
What Does F Mean On A Golf Leaderboard? Sometimes, in the blue circle on the image above, you will see the letter “F” instead of a number like a 65 or 1-18. This simply means “Finished” and is another way of saying that player has completed their round for the day.
What does r1 mean in golf?
Round 1 Scoring AverageRANKRANK LAST WEEKAVG2168.293368.394468.445568.6271 more rows
How do you use course rating and slope?
Using equitable stroke control (the maximum score you can take on a hole for posting purposes), a player takes his adjusted gross score and subtracts the course rating. Multiply that number by 113 (slope rating of a course of standard difficulty), and divide by the slope rating of the tees played.
How is Course Rating determined?
The Course Rating is calculated from the effective playing length and obstacle factors for 9 or 18 designated holes. The Course Rating is expressed in strokes to one decimal point and represents the expected score for a scratch player. The Bogey Rating represents the expected score for a bogey player.
Is a higher Course Rating harder?
The higher the Slope Rating, the harder the course is for the bogey golfer, relative to the difficulty of the course for the scratch golfer. Slope Ratings can range anywhere between 55 and 155, with the average slope rating in the United States being approximately 120.
Is a 130 slope rating hard?
If you see a slope rating that falls anywhere in the double digits, you can expect that course to play rather easy, even for a bogey golfer. On the other hand, taking on a course with a slope rating in the 130's or 140's is going to present a serious challenge to a player with a mid or high handicap.
What do the numbers on a pin sheet mean?
First, the small numbers to the left of each circle are the hole numbers, so we are looking (clockwise) at holes 1, 7, 8, 2. The handwritten number to the left of each green is the depth of the green in paces. Hole 7 (upper right) is 42 paces deep from front to back.
How do you read Strackaline?
1:272:58StrackaLine Green Reading Guides: How they help golfers ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou have to know how directionally how this is going to line up to your greens. So you got to makeMoreYou have to know how directionally how this is going to line up to your greens. So you got to make pay attention to sprinkler heads things that they've identified for you on this actual on the straco.
How do you read a heat map on a golf green?
As you reach a green on the Trail, the GPS unit will display a heat map view of the green. The arrows indicate the direction of the break, and the colors represent the speed at which the putt will break.
How do you read golf distances?
Generally, a red disk denotes 100 yards to the center of the green, white 150 yards and blue 200 yards. Many courses also mark sprinkler heads with the distance to the center of the green as well. Finally, courses often place colored posts or unique trees to indicate distance, the most common being at 150 yards.
What Are The Golf Scorecard Symbols?
Golf scoring symbols are used to make it easier to read scorecards.
What Does Handicap Mean In The Golf Scorecard?
The handicap section enables you to record the handicap index that you are allocated by the handicap system in use at the club that you are playing and is used at the end of the round when calculating your net score.
What is a scorecard in golf?
The scorecard is a critical component for every golf course and golfer. After completing each hole, a golfer records his score on a scorecard. Each player is responsible for keeping his own score and being truthful when writing down his number of shots.
How big is a golf scorecard?
Scorecards vary in size and layout, but a standard size is 12 inches long and 4 1/2 inches high, or 6 inches by 4 1/2 inches when folded.
What is the handicap of a golf hole?
Handicap. Each hole is rated by difficulty, one being the hardest on the course, and 18 the easiest. These numbers are listed in a row titled “handicap.”. This allows a player to compute a net score for each hole based on his handicap, which measures a golfer’s skill based on his previous scores. Someone with a 12 handicap would deduct one stroke ...
What is the name of the tees on a golf scorecard?
On the scorecard the yardage for each set of tees is shown in rows. Each set of tees is usually given a name such as “gold tees” or “red tees.”. In the middle of the scorecard are rows for each player to mark down his score, each hole shown in a separate column. On the left side of each row is a wider box for the player’s name ...
What is a 73.8 rating?
Each set of tees is given its own rating, which is a measure of the course’s difficulty from each set. The course rating is designed to indicate what a scratch golfer--one who is capable of shooting around par--would score on an average day. Course rating can be higher or lower than par depending on the yardage and the hazards. A course rating of 73.8 from the back or longest tees indicates the course is challenging.
What is the par score in golf?
Par is the target score for each hole, the number a good player expects to achieve.
How many strokes can you deduct from a 12 handicap?
Someone with a 12 handicap would deduct one stroke from his gross score--the actual number of shots he took--on each of the 12 most difficult holes to compute his net score. The handicap system lets good players, average players, and even poor players compete with one another on the more equal basis of net score rather than gross.
How to read a golf scorecard?
To read a golf scorecard, start by looking at the top row, which lists each hole number. In the row beneath the hole numbers, you’ll see the distance from the tee to each hole. Below that, look for the handicap to see how difficult the hole is, with 1 being the hardest and 18 being the easiest.
Why do golfers use scorecards?
Golf scorecards allow golfers to track their score as well as providing vital information about the course. The total score is based upon strokes and handicaps and compared to the other players to determine a winner. If you are tracking your own progress as a golfer, scorecards can also be useful as a non-competitive reference. Reading a scorecard can seem difficult with all the numbers and jargon but you'll find it easy once you learn what everything means.
How many holes are there in a full size 18 hole golf course?
Full size or 18 hole courses are split into 2 9s, or 2 9 hole sections. Holes 1 to 9 are known as the front 9 and holes 10 to 18 are known as the back 9. After the 9th and 18th hole sections of the scorecard you will see the words "Out" and "In" respectively.
How many shots are over par in golf?
If the course is a par 72 and you took 80 shots, you were 8 over par. If the course is a par 70 and you took 65 shots, you were 5 under par.
What is the longest hole in golf?
Par 3s are the shortest holes on golf courses and par 5s are the longest holes. The most common par on a course is a par 4. If you look at the "Out" and "In" columns on the scorecard you will see the par for each set of 9 holes. A par 72 golf course will usually have 2 9 holes that are both par 36.
What is the first thing on a golf scorecard?
Typically, the first thing on a golf scorecard is the list of holes. Golf courses vary between 9 hole courses and 18 hole courses. Some scorecards will have a map of the course with each hole on the map having its number next to it. Holes are typically played in order from 1 to 18.
What order do you play the 9th hole in golf?
Holes are typically played in order from 1 to 18. In some cases, like when the course is especially busy, players may start on the 10th and finish on the 9th hole. Players will start on the 10th hole and play from 10 to 18. After 18, players will then play from the 1st hole to the 9th hole to complete their round.
What Golf Course Rating Mean to You and Me?
So what? So buttons. The lower the golf course rating compared to 72 to “easier” the golf course is.
How does the USGA determine the rating of a golf course?
To determine the Rating of a course the USGA measures several factors for each hole on the golf courses. The process examines every facet of a hole and its playability.
What is the difference between a scratch golfer and a bogey golfer?
Here is the difference between a scratch golfer and a bogey golfer according to the USGA: Scratch Golfer : A male scratch golfer is a player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses. A male scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots.
How many yards can a scratch golfer hit?
A male scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots. A female scratch golfer is a player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses. A female scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 210 yards ...
What is scratch golf?
The evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal course and weather conditions. It is expressed as the number of strokes taken to one decimal place (72.5), and is based on yardage and other obstacles to the extent that they affect the scoring difficulty of the scratch golfer.
What are the obstacles in golf?
Obstacle factors: topography, fairway, green target, recoverability and roughs, water hazards, out of bounds, trees, green surface, and psychology. Each obstacle is assigned a value of 0 to 10, depending on its relation to how a scratch or bogey golfer would play the hole.
How often does the USGA evaluate golf courses?
I know this makes my head spin but I am sure the USGA has a wicked big spreadsheet to crunch the numbers. The USGA evaluates each golf course every ten years in addition new golf courses complete the evaluation every five years.
What does a course rating tell you?
A golf course rating tells you what a scratch golfer would be expected to shoot from the tees they're playing on a particular course under normal conditions. The rating is different for men and women.
What is slope in golf?
The golf course slope is a measure of a course's difficulty, but it is not considered the better of the two measurements. Golf course slope is actually derived from the golf course rating. Slope is a measure of a golf course's difficulty in a relative comparison of a scratch golfer to a bogey golfer (someone who shoots around 90 for 18 holes).
How to find 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 many yards can a scratch golfer hit?
A male scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots.". A scratch woman can "can hit tee shots an average of 210 yards and can reach a 400-yard hole in two shots at sea level.".
What is the average slope of a golf course?
The slope values can range anywhere from 55 to 155. The average golf course is 113. This may seem like an odd number for a bogey golfer to have to remember and base their golf round off of. The United States Golf Association came up with these systems, and they work pretty well, but there is undoubtedly a learning curve involved.
What Is Course Rating?
A golf course rating is a number that tells you what a scratch golfer should be shooting at that golf course. Scratch golfers are known for their ability to shoot par on a golf course. However, not all golf courses are made to be the same difficult.
What happens if you shoot a 74 on a scratch golf course?
If a scratch golfer plays this course and shoots a 74, the player’s handicap differential would still be zero. Therefore the golfer’s handicap index is not going to be adjusted or changed all that much because they were playing a more challenging golf course.
What does a higher course rating mean?
A higher golf course rating means that the course raters have decided that it is much harder for a scratch golfer to shoot par at the golf course. Chances are the course rating is closer to 74 or even 75, and therefore that is what a typical scratch player would shoot.
What is handicap in golf?
The handicap system allows bogey golfers to have a fair match against scratch golfers, which makes golf such a special and vital sport.
What is the USGA rating system?
The concept of the USGA course rating system is to help ensure that you can play any golf course and have a good idea of what you are getting yourself involved in.
How is handicap index calculated?
The handicap index is created by calculating an average of 20 score differentials of a player. The score differential is the difference between your adjusted gross score and the course rating. Therefore if you are a golfer that shot 90 on a course with a 72.5 rating, your score differential would be 17.5.
What are the rules for scoring a golf scorecard?
16 Important Golf Scorecard Rules To Remember. 1. Recording the correct handicap on the card is solely your responsibility as the player. 2. If you fail to record your handicap, or play off a handicap higher than that to which you are entitled (and this affects the number of strokes received), you will be disqualified from the handicap element ...
What is required to avoid falling foul of golf's rules when it comes to the scorecard?
A little bit of concentration is all that is required to avoid falling foul of golf's Rules when it come to the scorecard
What happens if you record too low a handicap on your card?
3. If you record too low a handicap on your card, your net score will stand based on that handicap.
What happens if you sign for a gross score on a hole lower than that actually taken?
7. Should you sign for a gross score on a hole lower than that actually taken, unfortunately you will be disqualified.
What is the responsibility of recording handicaps?
1. Recording the correct handicap on the card is solely your responsibility as the player.
Is it advisable to exchange scorecards in stroke play?
The R&A has issued guidance on scoring in stroke play events while the customary exchanging of scorecards is not advisable. The advice reads as follows:
Do you have to return a scorecard to the committee?
It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the Committee provided the Committee can accept the scores in another way. But as and when normality returns, here’s what you really need to know about the scorecard….
How do golf courses determine handicaps?
Golf courses determine handicaps by starting with what they think is the hardest hole. That's the No. 1 handicap hole. The hardest hole on a golf course is often the longest par 4, but that's not always the case. Sometimes, it can be a particularly long par 5.
How do you determine your golf handicap?
Golf courses determine handicaps by starting with what they think is the hardest hole. That's the No. 1 handicap hole. The hardest hole on a golf course is often the longest par 4, but that's not always the case. Sometimes, it can be a particularly long par 5. Sometimes it's a longer, but not the longest, par 4. It could be the hole with the most hazards and trouble for players. But setting up the handicap of holes on a golf course completely depends on identifying the toughest hole.
How many strokes are there in an 18 hole golf match?
The strokes for an 18-hole match are divided between the nines, with an odd number of strokes giving that player an extra shot on one of the nine-hole sides. For example, if a player gets 13 strokes, they get a stroke on the holes ranked No. 1-13 in handicap, meaning they get seven strokes on the odd-numbered side and six on the even-numbered side. ...
What is the USGA recommendation for golf?
The USGA recommends courses allocate the odd numbers on the front and the even numbers on the back, unless the back nine is decidedly more difficult than the front. They also recommend not allocating the lower handicap numbers -- i.e., the hard holes -- to the start or end of a nine-hole run. Then, players can use their handicap index in ...
Why are the handicap numbers on the opposite nine?
Why is that? That's because of the handicap allocation system.