GOLF FAQ: Good to know

[笑言]

Golf FAQ: What is Course Rating?

By Brent Kelley, About.com Guide

The USGA course rating is a numerical value given to each set of tees at a particular golf course to approximate the number of strokes it should take a scratch golfer to get around the course.


A course rating of 74.8, for example, means that scratch golfers are expected to post an average score of 74.8 from that set of tees on that course.

A course rating of 74.8 is pretty stiff, but there are no hard-and-fast parameters for how high or low course rating can go. Most course ratings will range from the upper 60s to the mid 70s.

Each course is rated for each set of tees, and most have separate ratings for some of the tees for women. For example, the forward tees might be rated 67.5 for men and 71.5 for women.
The course rating system developed by the USGA is used throughout much of the world.

 

[笑言]

Golf FAQ: What is Slope Rating?

By Brent Kelley, About.com Guide


Slope rating (a term trademarked by the USGA) is a measurement of the difficulty of a golf course for bogey golfers relative to the course rating.

Course rating tells scratch golfers how difficult the course will be; slope rating tells bogey golfers how difficult it will be.

To put it another way: USGA Course Rating tells the best golfers how hard a golf course actually plays; USGA Slope Rating indicates how much harder the course plays for "regular" (meaning not among the best) golfers.

The minimum slope is 55 and the maximum is 155 (slope does not relate specifically to strokes played as course rating does). The slope rating for a course of average difficulty is 113.

Like course rating, slope rating is calculated for each set of tees on a course, and a course may have a separate slope rating for certain tees for women.

Slope rating is a factor in the calculation of handicap index, and is also used to determine the course handicap.

The most important role of slope is leveling the playing field for players of different skill levels. For example, let's say Player A and Player B average 85 strokes each for 18 holes. But Player A's average is established on a very difficult course (say, a slope rating of 145), while Player B's average is established on a very easy course (say, a slope rating of 95). If handicaps were simply estimates of golfers' average scores, then these two players would have the same handicap index. But Player A is clearly the better golfer, and in a match between the two Player B would clearly need some strokes.

Slope rating allows the handicap index to reflect these factors. Because he plays on a course with a higher slope rating, Player A's handicap index will be lower than Player B's (when it is calculated using the slope ratings), despite the fact that they both average scores of 85. So when A and B get together to play, B will get those extra strokes he needs.

Slope is primarily used in the United States, but golf associations in other countries are beginning to adopt slope or similar systems.
Why is it called "slope"?

 

[playman]

It's really good to know. Bump.

 

[笑言]

Is 14 clubs including the putter?

Is 14 clubs including the putter?

According to the USGA rules of golf as they pertain to the maximum number of clubs allowed In a golfers bag during a round of golf, 14 is the maximum number allowed and the putter is considered one of those clubs. A two stroke penalty per hole completed with an excess of 14 clubs will be imposed up to a maximum of 4 strokes. If a golfer completes his round and signs his score card with more than 14 clubs in his bag than he will be disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_14_clubs_including_the_putter

 

[plouis8888]

These are important for calculate handicap

The course rating and slope are the most important factors in handicap calculation. See PGA handicap book.

Course rating and slope are obtained from course evaluation process. PGA and RCGA offer special course rating semianrs across Canada and USA. I was luckily able to attend a course rating seminar offered by RCGA in 2007 and become a provincially certified course rating inspector. There is no national certification for course rating, golf courses are only rated by the local provincial inspectors.

For new courses of less than 10 years old, course rating has to be done every three years and for older ones, it is done every another 10 years.

 

[笑言]

Golf Etiquette

By PGA.com staff
What people can expect during a round of golf, from beginning to end:
Arrive:

• If caddies are available:
  • Remember caddie programs are an excellent way for young people to earn some money and be exposed to a sport that they can enjoy and might help shape their character.
  • A good caddie can make the round more enjoyable by giving you hints that might lower your score.
  • A good caddie can provide information on yardage, club selection, reading the greens and the layout of the course.

Warm Up:

• • Try to arrive soon enough to give yourself time to warm up properly.
  • Work your way though the bag, beginning with the short irons, moving onto the mid-and long irons and then the woods.
  • It's often a good idea to finish warming up by hitting a few soft wedge shots before heading for the practice green and hitting a few putts.
  • Don't hit hundreds of balls and leave your game on the practice tee.
• First Tee:
  • Check the scorecard to learn any local rules.
  • Local rules apply only to the specific course you are playing.
  • If your playing companions suggest a match, it's a good idea to make sure everyone is comfortable with the stakes.
  • Make sure to place an identifying mark on your ball and inform the other players the type and number ball you are playing.

Avoid Slow play:

• When your group is not keeping up with the pace of play of the group in front of you:
  • Walk at a reasonable speed between shots.
  • Begin planning your next shot as you approach the ball by studying the strength and direction of the wind.

When you reach your ball, check the lie, select your club, visualize your swing and shot, and then play your shot. From the time you select your club until you actually hit your shot, you should take no more than 30 to 45 seconds.

• If you aren't ready to play when it is your turn, encourage one of your fellow players to play.

Maintaining the course:

• Replace your divots. Turf tends to explode on impact, making it difficult, if not impossible, to replace the divot. In this case, you have two options:
  • You can use the toe of your shoe to kick in the turf around the edges of the divot.
  • Many courses often put containers of a soil/seed mixture on their carts and tees. If this is the case, simply fill in the divot with the mixture.

Bring a rake into the bunker with you -- remembering that you should always enter the bunker from the low side at a point nearest to the ball.

• • Whenever possible, avoid walking on the steep face of a bunker.
  • After hitting your shot, rake the area you played from, as well as all your footprints and any others within reach.
  • Rakes should be left either in or nearby the bunker.

Important to repair any pitch marks or indentations caused by the ball hitting the green. Using a tee, knife, key or repair tool, repair the mark by working the edges towards the center, without lifting the center of the mark. Don't tear the grass. Finish by smoothing the area with a club or your foot. Try to get the area smooth enough to putt over.

• Just remember that while the Rules of Golf allow you to repair pitch marks on your putting line, you cannot repair spike marks on your putting line until after you have putted.

On the green, remember:

• Don't step on your fellow players putting lines -- the imaginary line that connects the ball to the hole. If your ball is on a player's line, volunteer to mark the ball. If you're ball is not furthest from the cup:
  • Mark your ball, either with a plastic marker or a small, thin, dark coin such as an old penny.
  • After you have marked your ball, place your putter down at a 90-degree angle with the heel touching your marker.
  • Move the marker from the heel to the toe of your putter. Reverse the procedure to return the ball to its original position.

Do not stand where you might distract a fellow player and don't move. Don't make any noise when your fellow player is preparing to putt. If you don't have a caddie and are asked to tend the flagstick, make sure you aren't standing on anyone's line. Hold the flagstick at arm's length so the flag doesn't flutter in the breeze, and make sure your shadow doesn't fall across the hole or line. Loosen the bottom of the flagstick so it doesn't stick when you try and remove it by pulling it straight up after the other player has putted. The flagstick should be removed right after the player has hit the ball. If you lay down the flagstick, lay it off the green to prevent doing any damage to the green. Generally, the player closest to the hole will tend the flagstick.

• After everyone has putted out, immediately walk to the next tee.

Miscellaneous:

• If you hit a tee shot into the woods and suspect that it might be either lost or out-of-bounds, the Rules of Golf allow you to play a second or provisional ball.
  • You then have five minutes from the time you reach the spot where you suspect the ball landed to find the ball. If it is not found within that five-minute period, you must declare it lost and play your provisional ball with a one-stroke penalty
  • If, however, you play the provisional ball and subsequently find your original ball in-bounds, you must pick up your provisional and continue to play the original ball, in-bounds.
  • Out of bounds balls are assessed the penalty of "stroke and distance."
  • For a complete discussion of the Rules of Golf, visit the USGA's web site.

For safety's sake, never hit when there's a chance you might be able to reach the group ahead of you, and anytime you hit a shot that you think even has remote chance of hitting any other players, yell "fore" immediately, and make a point of apologizing to any players your ball lands near. Displays of frustration are one thing, but outbursts of temper are quite another. Yelling, screaming, throwing clubs or otherwise making a fool of yourself are unacceptable and, in some cases, dangerous to yourself and others. As a player, you also have a responsibility to learn and understand the Rules of Golf. Five of the most common Rules are those deal with Out of Bounds, Lost balls, Unplayable lies, cart paths and water hazards. Moving on, if your group stops for refreshments, either at the turn (the end of nine holes) or following the round, volunteer to pay for them, as well as offer to buy drinks for the caddies. Whoever pays at the turn, however, should not be expected to pay for refreshments at the end of the round.

• Finally, at the end of the round, shake hands with your fellow players, congratulate the winners, console the losers, and thank them for their company. At the end of the day, the great pleasure of the game is the time you get to spend with your friends whether old friends or new friends you just made through the game.

For a complete discussion of the Rules of Golf, visit the USGA's web site.