What is the slope rating?
An obstacle such as a water hazard or a long carry is harder for a higher-handicap player than for a scratch golfer. The slope rating expresses how much harder a course becomes as your handicap goes up. The number ranges from 55 to 155. The higher the slope rating, the more extra strokes you receive. You sometimes hear "slope index", but the official name is slope rating.
How is it determined?
Besides the course rating, the rating team also sets a bogey rating: the expected number of strokes for a bogey golfer. The difference between the two determines the slope rating. Like the course rating, the slope rating applies per tee, separately for men and women.
Example
You have a Handicap Index of 18 and play a course with a slope rating of 130, a course rating of 72.5 and par 72. Your course handicap is then 18 x (130 / 113) + (72.5 - 72) = 21.2, rounded to 21. On a course with a slope rating of 113 you would receive about 18 strokes.
What is it used for?
The slope rating is needed to calculate your course handicap and your score differential. This way your handicap can be applied fairly on every course.
