The USGA® Course Rating™ System is the standard upon which the World Handicap System™ is built. It affects all golfers in the calculation of a Handicap Index®. Players “play to their handicaps,” when their net scores (gross score-handicap strokes) equal the USGA Course Rating. The USGA Course Rating System takes into account the factors that affect the playing difficulty of a golf course. Course Rating teams from authorized associations carry out the on-course portion of the Course Rating™ and Sope Rating™ process. Authorized associations review the work of the teams and then issue the Ratings.
The rating process requires a study of each hole, including detailed data obtained at all landing zones for both the scratch and the bogey player. The rating teams use the average shot lengths for both scratch and bogey players to determine the landing zones. Length corrections and obstacle values are considered at each landing zone.
If you have an interest in getting involved with USGA Course Rating or if you would like to request a golf course to be rated, please contact the RDGA Office 585-292-5950.