What Is Slope Rating in Golf?
Slope Rating: A number from 55 to 155 that measures how much harder a course plays for bogey golfers versus scratch golfers.
Slope Rating — full definition
A number from 55 to 155 that indicates the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The average Slope Rating™ is 113. A higher slope means the course is proportionally harder for higher-handicap players. Slope is the key factor in calculating your Course Handicap from your Handicap Index.
Slope Rating — frequently asked
Slope Rating — what do the numbers mean?
- Average Slope Rating is 113
- Higher slope = proportionally harder for high-handicap players
- Range is 55 (easiest) to 155 (hardest)
Slope Rating — how is it used?
- Key factor in converting your Handicap Index to a Course Handicap
- Formula: (Handicap Index × Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating – Par)
- A 150-slope course gives a 20-handicap far more strokes than a 100-slope course
More on Slope Rating
Slope is the number every "hardest course" list on Stymie is sorted by, and the number that decides how many strokes you get today.
- Hardest courses in CaliforniaA worked example: the state’s toughest tracks ranked by slope from the back tees.
- Hardest and easiest lists for all 50 statesSame slope-ranked treatment, state by state.
- Course Handicap calculatorRuns the (Index x Slope / 113) formula for the tees you are playing.
- Tee recommendation toolPicks the tee set whose slope actually fits your game.
Other course rating terms
Course Rating
A USGA-assigned number representing the expected score for a scratch golfer under normal conditions.
Bogey Rating
The expected score for a bogey golfer — roughly a 20-handicap (men) or 24-handicap (women).
Handicap Index
A portable measure of your playing ability that travels with you from course to course.
Course Handicap
The number of strokes you receive on a specific course from a specific set of tees.
Playing Handicap
Your Course Handicap adjusted for the specific format of play.
Score Differential
A score that measures how well you played relative to the difficulty of the course.
Equitable Stroke Control
A rule that caps the maximum score on any hole for handicap purposes, preventing blow-up holes from wrecking your index.