Changed course ratings....

[sunshine]

Folks need to stop thinking about Slope as an indication of difficulty. It is merely a calculated number based on the Course and Bogey ratings.

Although this is true, it is a good indicator of difficulty. The toughest courses like Carnoustie and Bethpage have a high slope index

 

[wjemather]

Although this is true, it is a good indicator of difficulty. The toughest courses like Carnoustie and Bethpage have a high slope index

If we stay away from the extremes and look at courses with more average Slope ratings, it's pretty obvious that it's a rather poor indicator of actual difficulty.

A great example is Bransford. From the back tees for men, par is 72, Course Rating is just 70.4, and Slope is 140.

 

[sjw]

If we stay away from the extremes and look at courses with more average Slope ratings, it's pretty obvious that it's a rather poor indicator of actual difficulty.

A great example is Bransford. From the back tees for men, par is 72, Course Rating is just 70.4, and Slope is 140.

Agreed. I hear people at my club laughing that the back 9 at our course is "easier" than the front 9 because it has a lower slope. They completely ignore (or fail to understand) that the CR for the back 9 is about 2 shots higher than the front.