Method 1 Understanding the Scorecard
- Find the "hole" column which lists the holes from 1 to 18. Typically, the first thing on a golf scorecard is the list of holes.
- Identify the front and back 9 sections that split the course into 2 halves. ...
- Note the color names on the side which indicate each hole's distance. ...
- Look for the handicap section which ranks the holes by difficulty. ...
How to read a golf scorecard?
Reading a golf scorecard involves understanding some common elements. These common elements include understanding hole numbers, scorecard symbols, yardages for each tee box as well as course rating and slope rating. By understanding these different sections you are able to have a more effective round of golf.
What is a course rating in golf?
The course rating is the score that a scratch golfer (a golfer who averages a score of par for an entire round) could expect to have for a round at a course. For example, a scratch golfer could expect to shoot a score of 74 (two over par) on a course with a par of 72 and a course rating of 74.
What is a scratch golf course rating?
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. The USGA defines a scratch golfer as (for men) |a player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses.
How do you rank holes on a golf scorecard?
Look for the handicap section which ranks the holes by difficulty. Most scorecards also have a column which notes the handicap or index of each hole. These numbers range from 1-18 and note the difficulty of each hole. Index 1 is the hardest hole on the course and index 18 is the easiest.
How do you read a golf course rating?
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.
What does a slope rating of 130 mean?
From Tom's tees, a slope of 130 gives him a 12 Course Handicap.
What does rating mean on a golf scorecard?
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.
How do you read the index on a golf scorecard?
Look for the handicap section which ranks the holes by difficulty. Most scorecards also have a column which notes the handicap or index of each hole. These numbers range from 1-18 and note the difficulty of each hole. Index 1 is the hardest hole on the course and index 18 is the easiest.
How do you read a slope rating?
The higher the slope number, the harder the course is for the bogey golfer relative to the difficulty of the course for the scratch golfer. Slope numbers can range anywhere between 55 and 155 with the average slope in the United States being 120.
What does a slope rating of 113 mean?
Slope Ratings range from 55 to 155, with the average being 113. When you play a course with a Slope Rating higher than 113, your Course Handicap will be higher than your USGA Handicap Index. When you play a course with a Slope Rating lower than 113, your Course Handicap will be lower than your Handicap Index.
Is a higher course rating harder?
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.
Is 122 slope rating hard?
What is a hard slope rating? If we know that the average slope rating of a golf course is 113, we can deduce that any golf course with a slope rating higher than 113 is more difficult than the average course. Don't be intimidated if you see a slope rating that is above 113.
How do you read a handicap scorecard?
The "Handicap" line of the scorecard is how those holes are designated. The hole identified as "1" on the handicap line has been rated the hole where a golfer is most likely to need a stroke in competition against a better player.
How do you read a golf course map?
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 you fill out a golf handicap with a scorecard?
If that handicap column appears, just write your course handicap (in our example, "11") in the appropriate box. Mark your actual strokes taken (gross score) on each hole throughout play, then tally up your strokes at the end of the round. For example, the total strokes were 85 and the course handicap was 11.
Why do golfers use scorecards?
The golf scorecard is used by golfers all over the world when they are playing a round of golf at any of the vast amount of golf courses. This can range from the PGA Tour to even crazy golf! It helps players to track their performance both individually and in competition against others.
How long is a golf scorecard?
Typically the scorecard will be around 6 inches long by 4..5 inches when it is folded. This makes it easy to carry in a pocket or golf bag without taking up too much room. Each golf scorecard has some common elements that are important to understand when playing a round of golf.
What Are The Golf Scorecard Symbols?
The different golf scorecard symbols include a solid circle, a circle, no symbol, a square and a solid square symbol. These represent a golfers score on a particular hole.
What does 18 mean in golf?
This is why they have a number ranging from 1 to 18 for each of the hole numbers. 18 means that it is the expected easiest hole on the golf course and 1 means that it is the expected hardest hole on the golf course.
Why do we use golf symbols?
By using these golf symbols for scores it makes it quicker and easier to identify scoring when reading a golf scorecard.
How to score a birdie in golf?
They work as follows: 1 Solid circle symbol – Represents an Eagle or better score (e.g. an Albatross or hole in one) 2 Circle symbol – Represents a Birdie 3 No symbol – Represents a Par 4 Square symbol – Represents a Bogey 5 Solid square symbol – Represents a Double-bogey or worse
What is the net score of a golf course if you have shot 90?
For example if the course is par 72 and you have shot a round of 90 but are allowed one stroke per hole then your net score will be 72.
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 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 the rating process for golf?
The rating process requires a study of each hole, including detailed data obtained at all landing areas for both the scratch and the bogey golfer. The shot lengths discussed in the definitions for these two types of golfers are used by the rating teams to determine where the landing areas are. Both length corrections and obstacle values are considered at each point along the hole.
What is course rating?
Course Rating: The evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers assuming normal course and weather conditions. It is expressed as the number of strokes taken to one decimal point (72.5), and is based on yardage, effective playing length corrections and other obstacles that affect play for the scratch golfer.
What is the slope rating of a golf course?
Slope Rating: The USGA’s mark that indicates the measurement of the relative playing difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers, compared to scratch golfers. It is computed from the difference between the Bogey Rating and the Course Rating for the same set of tees on the same course and is expressed as a whole number from 55 to 155. A course of standard playing difficulty has a Slope Rating of 113.
How many yards can a bogey golfer hit?
This player hits tee shots an average of 200 yards and can reach a 370-yard hole in two shots. A female bogey golfer has a Course Handicap of approximately 24. This player hits tee shots an average of 150 yards and can reach a 280-yard hole in two shots.
What is a scratch golfer?
Scratch Golfer: A male scratch golfer is an amateur player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses. This player hits tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots. A female scratch golfer is an amateur player who hits tee shots an average of 210 yards and can reach ...
How often do golf courses need to be rated?
USGA standards call for courses to be re-rated every 10 years, or if it is a new golf course, every 3 years for the first 10. In South Carolina, to keep with the strong standards set forth by our Executive Board, we re-rate golf courses every 3 years for the first 10 and every 6 years there after. A course must also be re-rated if significant changes have been made. These changes might include re-location of tee boxes, alterations to green surfaces and sizes, and removal and / or addition of bunkers, hazards, Out of Bounds, and trees.
What is topography in golf?
Topography: The evaluation of the difficulty of the stance or lie in the landing areas, and also the elevation change on the player’s landing areas into the green.
What does a golf scorecard look like?
Many people who are new to golf may think the scorecard looks like a bunch of numbers with no rhyme or reason. There will be numbers in white, gold, black, blue, or red boxes. There will be numbers that range between 1 and 18, 3 and 5, and about 100 to maybe 600. Here are tips to help golf newbies read a scorecard. pinterest-pin-it.
What does slope rating mean in golf?
The slope rating is supposed to tell a bogey golfer (one who shoots a bogey for each hole on average) how difficult a course is.
What Does This Mean?
For those who are getting ready to play their first round of golf, most of this will not mean much. Those who are playing their tenth round of golf probably won't refer to this much, other than to track relative improvement.
How many shots do you need to get to the par 4 hole?
A player should take three shots to finish a par 3 hole. He or she should take four shots to get home on a par 4 hole. The standard golf course will have a par of between 70 and 72, depending upon the number of par 3 and par 5 holes (the most common is four of each and a par of 72).
How many holes are there in a golf course?
Some executive (short) courses might have 6 holes or so, but the general number of holes on a regulation golf course will be either 9 or 18 holes. The hole number will be listed under "Hole," and these holes should be played in consecutive order.
What is a shotgun start in golf?
This means that each team will start at a hole that could be anywhere between the first and the last. Players should put down the score that corresponds with the hole played in this instance and should play the holes in order.
What does it mean to shoot a 3 on a par 5?
If a player were to shoot a 4 on a par 5, this is referred to as a birdie.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.".
How many values are there in a golf course rating?
Actually, for any given golf course, you can expect to see three (or even more) values for the Course Rating. Each value corresponds to a different tee.
What is a course rating?
The Course Rating is a number, close to par for the course, and is expressed with a single decimal digit. For example: If par for a course is 72, it's Course Rating might be 71.4. Rating values go up with difficulty. Actually, for any given golf course, you can expect to see three (or even more) values for the Course Rating.
What is the slope of a golf course?
That's the responsibility of The Rating figure. The Slope is a measure of how much difference a course's difficulty is for the average bogey golfer compared to the scratch golfer. Allow us to illustrate what this means.
What is the average score for par golf?
The average score of the par golfers was 68.5. Therefore, the Course Rating is 68.5. It's an easier course for par golfers to play.
What is a scratch golfer?
Someone who consistently shoots par for the course, regardless of the course. Also known as a "scratch golfer".
Why do expert golfers turn in better scores on Course 3?
Well, the expert golfers turned in better scores on Course 3 because they know how to take advantage of bigger greens and they are also pretty straight hitters, so the woods were not really a factor for them on either course. Even so, the expert golfers know how to minimize the damage to their scores after an errant drive.
What is course slope?
Course Slope is a creation of The United States Golf Association and has been licensed to the Royal Canadian Golf Association. Courses outside of the United States and Canada (and their protectorates) will probably not have a Slope rating.
