Oregon Golf Association (OGA)

Handicapping

Handicap Calculator

Calculate Your
Course Handicap
by entering your
Handicap Index®
and the Slope Rating
of the Course/Tees
you’ll be playing!

Handicap Index Slope Rating

USGA Handicap System

Your Quick Reference to
the Rules that Govern
Handicapping

Mailing List

Join the OGA mailing list and receive Golf Association News.

The Most Difficult Golf Courses

Want to know the most difficult courses in Oregon? Here is an updated list as of January 1, 2009.

Which Course Is More Difficult?

So which golf course is more difficult? Course A with a rating and slope of 72.8/114 or Course B with a lower rating but greater slope of 67.8/127. The answer is easy! At every handicap level, the answer is Course A! Surprised? Many if not most golfers would probably have guessed Course B. It just goes to illustrate the many myths and misunderstandings that still abound regarding the subject of slope.

Understanding Slope Can Be An Uphill Battle.

The Slope Rating of a golf course really isn’t a measure of overall difficulty. Rather, it’s a measure of the difference between difficulty for the scratch and bogey player.

The History of Course Rating

The USGA Course/Slope Rating System was implemented by the USGA on January 1, 1987 to address the problem of portability of handicaps. This system adjusts a player's USGA Handicap Index according to the difficulty of the golf course being played. Established courses in Oregon and SW Washington are rated every 7 years, while a newly constructed courses is rated once every three years for a period of nine years.

History - The Early Years

The first course rating system was developed by the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) under the leadership of Miss Issette Pearson in about 1900.

History - 1947 to 1970

The USGA Handicap Committee adopted the Massachusetts Golf Association's recommendations for course ratings for men in 1947.

History - 1971 to 1980

In 1971, William Wehnes of the Southern California Golf Association developed the first "obstacle rating" procedure using plus and minus adjustements by nines, for a number of course obstacles.

History - 1981 to Present

In 1983, Colorado tested the Slope System with positive results, and 5 other states joined Colorado in subsequent tests in 1984.