Hole19 symbol

Join 4.8M+ golfers worldwide today. Download now!

Hole19 is the leading golf app for tracking scores, navigating courses with GPS precision, and unlocking performance insights.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

What is rating in golf?

Numerical system that evaluates golf course difficulty for scratch golfers, serving as the baseline for handicap calculations and course comparisons.

Definition

A numerical system that evaluates golf course difficulty for scratch golfers, serving as the baseline for handicap calculations and course comparisons. Course rating considers factors including length, obstacles, green difficulty, rough, and forced carries to determine how many strokes a scratch golfer should average. Ratings typically range from 67-77 for most courses, with higher ratings indicating greater difficulty. Course rating works in conjunction with slope rating to provide comprehensive difficulty assessment. Understanding course rating helps golfers set appropriate expectations and compare performance across different courses and conditions.

List of pages that link to this term

  2. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses in Thailand & Southeast Asia

  3. the-19th-hole

    How to Recover From a Bad Hole in Golf

  4. the-19th-hole

    Golf Slang and Terms: Complete Dictionary for 2026

  5. the-19th-hole

    Parkland vs Links Golf: Understanding Course Styles

  6. the-19th-hole

    Golf Alignment Tips to Hit More Accurate Shots

  7. the-19th-hole

    Famous Golf Rivalries That Defined the Game's History

  8. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses in Spain

  9. the-19th-hole

    From 30 Handicap to Single Digits: Real Golf Improvement Stories

  10. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses in Mexico: Cabo, Cancun & More

  11. the-19th-hole

    Golf Shot Shaping: Curves, Fades & Draws Explained

  12. the-19th-hole

    Ryder Cup History: Greatest Moments & Legendary Matches

  13. the-19th-hole

    Improve Iron Contact in Golf: 7 Steps to Pure Strikes

  14. the-19th-hole

    Pete Dye Golf Courses: Legacy & Best Layouts

  15. the-19th-hole

    How to Improve Long Putts & Lag Putting

  16. the-19th-hole

    How to Organize a Golf Tournament | Complete 2026 Guide

  17. the-19th-hole

    Best Links Golf Courses in Scotland & Ireland

  18. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses in Japan: Top Layouts & Hidden Gems

  19. the-19th-hole

    Golf Practice Tips: How to Maximize Your Range Time

  20. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses in France: Paris to Riviera Guide

  21. Handicap Calculator

    the-19th-hole

    Golf Shot Selection: Make Smarter Decisions

  22. the-19th-hole

    Golf Etiquette 2026: Essential Rules for Every Golfer

  23. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses in South America | Top Destinations 2026

  24. the-19th-hole

    Top 7 Courses Worldwide to Play With Friends This Holiday

  25. the-19th-hole

    Golf Goals 2026: Plan Your Best Season Yet

  26. the-19th-hole

    Improve at Golf Over Christmas: Your Training Guide

  27. the-19th-hole

    Christmas Golf Traditions Around the World

  28. the-19th-hole

    5 Sustainable Golf Courses Leading the Revolution

  29. the-19th-hole

    Winter Golf Escapes: Dubai, Thailand & Bali Guide

  30. the-19th-hole

    Florida Hidden Gem Golf Courses Beyond Famous Names

  31. the-19th-hole

    Celebrity Golf Courses 2025 | Top Celebrity Golf Destinations

  32. the-19th-hole

    10 Hardest Golf Courses in the World

  33. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Shoes 2025: Top Picks for Every Golfer

  34. the-19th-hole

    Winter Golf Essentials: Gear & Tips For The Cold

  35. the-19th-hole

    10 Unbeatable Golf Offers Every Player Should Know About

  36. the-19th-hole

    Most Exclusive Golf Courses in World + Access Tips

  37. the-19th-hole

    15 Most Scenic Golf Courses: Breathtaking Views Worldwide

  38. the-19th-hole

    Top 5 Golf Courses for Unforgettable Weekend Getaways

  39. the-19th-hole

    Top 10 Affordable Golf Courses California | Under $100

  40. the-19th-hole

    Coldest Golf Courses in Europe: Extreme Winter Rounds

  41. the-19th-hole

    Top 15 Golf Courses in Asia-Pacific: Championship Destinations in Thailand, Japan, and Australia

  42. the-19th-hole

    Final Stretch Challenge: Complete 5 Rounds Before Winter

  43. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses in Dubai: Ultimate Guide for 2025

  44. the-19th-hole

    Lisbon & Cascais Golf Courses: Complete Guide 2025

  45. the-19th-hole

    How to Break 100 in Golf: Beginner's Complete Guide

  46. the-19th-hole

    Top 10 Golf Courses in Italy

  47. core-golf

    CORE Golf App: Practice That Actually Shows Up On The Course

  48. the-19th-hole

    Does Expensive Golf Equipment Actually Improve Your Game?

  49. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses Brazil - Top Championship Golf Destinations

  50. the-19th-hole

    Best Golf Courses Switzerland - Top Alpine Golf Destinations

  51. the-19th-hole

    Best Disney Golf Courses: Your Magic Kingdom Golf Guide

Glossary terms

  2. Above the HoleAceAddressAggregateAim LineAlbatrossAll SquareAlternateAlternate ShotAmateur Status
  3. Angle of AttackApproachApronBack NineBack TeesBack-weightingBackspinBall Flight LawsBall MarkerBall Position
  4. Ball SpeedBall WasherBanana BallBeachBelly PutterBelow the HoleBent GrassBest BallBetter BallBig Dog
  5. Bingo Bango BongoBirdieBladeBlockBogeyBogey GolferBogey RatingBounceBreakBreakfast Ball
  6. Bump and RunBunkerCabbageCapCarryCart Path OnlyCasual WaterCenter of GravityChapmanChip
  7. Choke DownChunkCleekClosed FaceCoefficient of RestitutionCompressionCondorCourse HandicapCourse RatingCross Bunker
  8. CupCutCut LineDancingDeadDecelerationDensity RatingDimple PatternDistance ControlDivot
  9. Divot PatternDog LicenseDoglegDormieDouble BogeyDouble CrossDouble EagleDouble HitDrawDrive
  10. DriverDropDrop ZoneDuck HookDuffEagleEffective Playing LengthEntry FeeEquipment RulesESR
  11. EtiquetteEuropean TourEven ParExemptionExpected ScoreExtra HoleFace AngleFace InsertFadeFairway
  12. Fairway BunkerFairway WoodFalse FrontFat ShotFeather BallFirst CutFirst TeeFive BallFlagFlag Stick
  13. Flat SwingFlexFlierFloatFlogFlop ShotFlourishFlushFollow ThroughFootprints in the Sand
  14. ForeFore CaddieForecaddieForward PressForward TeesFour-BallFoursomeFried EggFront NineFront Tees
  15. Full ShotFunctionGalleryGambleGap WedgeGimmeGPSGrainGrand SlamGraphite Shaft
  16. GreenGreen CommitteeGreen FeeGreen in Regulation (GIR)Green ReaderGreen SpeedGreenkeeperGreensideGripGroove
  17. Gross ScoreGround Under Repair (GUR)Grounding the ClubGroup PlayHalf ShotHalf TurnHalvedHandicapHandicap AllowanceHandicap Index
  18. HandleHard CapHard PanHazardHead CoverHead SpeedHigh SideHoleHole HighHole in One
  19. Hole LocationHole OutHome CourseHonorHookHoselHybridImpactImpact PositionImpact Zone
  20. In PlayIn-Course RatingIndexInitial DistanceInsertInside PathInside the LeatherInspectionIntegrityIntended Line
  21. Interlocking GripInternational Golf FederationInward NineIronIsland GreenJabJackJarredJawsJerked
  22. JiggerJoint InitiativeJumpJunior GolfJust ShortKickKick PointKikuyuKillKnee
  23. Knock DownKnockdown ShotKnown ValueKnuckleLagLag PuttingLanding AreaLaunch AngleLaunch MonitorLay Up
  24. Laying the SodLead EdgeLeaderboardLeading EdgeLeague PlayLieLie AngleLinksLinks GolfLip
  25. Lip OutLocal RulesLoftLoft AngleLong GameLong IronLoopLooperLost BallLow Point
  26. LPGALucyLungeMaintenanceMajor ChampionshipsMarkerMarshalMatch PlayMaximum ScoreMedal Play
  27. Member's BounceMid-IronMinimum Number of ClubsMisclubMixed FoursomeModified StablefordMonday QualifierMost Likely ScoreMoving DayMulled
  28. MulliganMunicipalNassauNative AreaNearest Point of ReliefNet Double BogeyNet ScoreNiblickNineteenth HoleNo Card
  29. NobbleNon-ConformingNormal StanceNumber OneObscured BallObstacle FactorsOfficial GuideOffsetOne Ball RuleOne-Piece Takeaway
  30. Open ChampionshipOpen Club FaceOpen QualifyingOpen StanceOrder of MeritOut of BoundsOutside AgencyOutside PathOver the TopOverclub
  31. Overhanging BranchOverlap GripPace of PlayParPar 3 CourseParallaxPartnerPathPCCPenalty Area
  32. Penalty StrokePerfect RoundPerimeter WeightingPGAPGA TourPinPin HighPin PositionPitchPitch Mark
  33. Pitching WedgePivotPlay ThroughPlayer's EditionPlaying HandicapPlugged BallPlus HandicapPoint of EntryPortPreferred Lies
  34. PressPro ShopPro-AmProgressive ScoringProvisionalPullPull HookPull SlicePushPush Cart
  35. Push HookPush SlicePut BackPuttPutterPutting GreenPutting SurfaceQ-SchoolQualifyingQualifying Round
  36. QuarterQuittingQuotaR&ARainsuitRangeRange FinderRatingReady GolfRecovery Shot
  37. Red StakesReference PointReliefRestoreReverse OverlapRhythmRickRinger ScoreRipRoll
  38. RoughRoundRound RobinRoutingRowRoyalRub of the GreenRunRun UpRunner
  39. RutterSand SaveSand TrapSand WedgeSandbaggerScore DifferentialScotch FoursomesScrambleScratch GolferSemi-Private
  40. Senior TeesShaftShaft FlexShambleShankShort GameShort SideShotgun StartSix-Six-SixSkin
  41. SkullSliceSlope RatingSnap HookSnowmanSoft CapSoleSpamSpikesSpin Rate
  42. Split TeesSpraySpring LineSquareStablefordStack and TiltStanceStimpmeterStroke IndexStroke Play
  43. Stroke SaverStrokes GainedStrongSweet SpotSwingpathTake ReliefTap-inTarget LineTeaching ProfessionalTee
  44. Tee BoxTee MarkerTee SheetTee TimeTempoTen-Shot RuleTexas ScrambleTexas WedgeThree BallThree Jack
  45. Three-PuttThrough LineThrough the GreenThumbsTierTight LieToeTopToppedTour
  46. Tour SauceTournamentTrajectoryTransitionTree LineTriple BogeyTurnUnder ParUndulationUneven Lie
  47. UnplayableUp and DownUphill LieUSGAUtility ClubValeValidationVardon GripVariablesVariance
  48. VegasVelocityVentVertical GrooveVFTVirtual Club FittingVisual CenterVolumeVolunteerWaggle
  49. Walk ThroughWalking CourseWaste AreaWaste BunkerWater HazardWeather DelayWedgeWeightWeight PortWet Line
  50. WhiffWhite StakesWind CheaterWindowWinter RulesWire-to-WireWolfWoodWorm BurnerWR
  51. Wrist CockX FactorX HeightX OutYardageYardage BookYardage MarkerYellow LineYellow StakesYield
  52. YipsZero HandicapZincZipZoneZone DefenseZone HittingZone PlayZone SystemZoysia
Hole19 symbol

Join 4.8M+ golfers worldwide today. Download now!

Hole19 is the leading golf app for tracking scores, navigating courses with GPS precision, and unlocking performance insights.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play