Many of us are one course loyalists – we play the majority of our golf at our home clubs and only rarely stray from its confines.
But there are also those who crave novelty, whether they want to tick off their favourites on ranking lists or just occasionally fancy somewhere new to tee it up.
The World Handicap System brings an added edge for those who like to roam.
We can make our adventures count for handicap purposes. We’ll can put in an acceptable score that will remain on our record no matter where in the globe we play
If you’ve ever wondered how your home course ranks – in terms of Course and Slope Rating – compared with your next holiday stop, or that bucket list layout, you can find out.
The USGA holds a Course Rating and Slope Database with the key details of every rated course of which you could think and for all the respective tees.
USGA Course Rating database: How do we measure up at Carnoustie?
As an example, let’s look at the course considered perhaps the toughest on the Open Championship rota: Carnoustie.
With a Course Rating off the Open tees of 77.4 and a Slope rating of 143, it’s every bit as difficult as you’d think for both the scratch and bogey golfer – and thoroughly deserving of its ‘Carnasty’ nickname. And, at 135 and a tough Par 70, it’s hardly a walk in the park off the yellows, either.
If I was playing off The Open tees, from my current World Handicap System of 13.6, I’d get a whopping Course Handicap of 23. I’m still not convinced it would be enough. A woman, off the same index and playing from the green tees, would receive 20.
Have a scan yourself to look up your favourite courses. Pop in your index and you can get your shot allocation for most courses from Pebble Beach to Powfoot.
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Now have your say
Had a look round the Course Rating database? Where are you getting the most shots? Where would be the easiest, and most difficult place you could play? Let us know by leaving a comment on X.
