We've been asked a few times what the difference is between the UK SSS and CSS. Plus what is the US Slope Rating. So, all rolled into one:
The UK:
- The SSS (Standard Scratch Score) is the score it is deemed that a 'scratch' golfer would shoot on the course (the difference between the Par and SSS gives an indication of whether the course plays harder or easier than its given Par layout)
- The CSS (Competition Standard Scratch) is a varient of the standard scratch for the course and it is based on a computation using the scores achieved on that particular day/in that competition. The reason it is used is that if it's a fantastic, calm, sunny day (ie not normal) and everyone is ripping up the course it would be wrong to cut players handicaps because it is not normal course conditions (and vice versa).
The US (and most of Europe):
- The Course Rating is the score it is deemed that a 'scratch' golfer would shoot on the course (the difference between the Par and Course Rating gives an indication of whether the course plays harder or easier than its given Par layout) ie this is directly analogous to the UK SSS.
The 'Slope Rating' is a USPGA invention which, is an additional 'rating' for the Course (ie in addition to the Course Rating) and seeks to level the playing field for 'bogey' golfers. The USPGA Slope Rating is awarded based on a separate review team which look at the course from the eyes of a 'bogey' player (18 handicapper I think). This team may look at a Par 4 and say an 18 handicapper can't play this as a Par4 because there is a lake in front of the green which means you have to drive 250 yards off the tee to give you a chance of attacking the green (which an 18 handicapper is not deemed to be able to do). So for the 18 handicapper this is really a Par 5. So having taken all this into consideration they award the course a Slope Rating which is then used to alter a Playing Handicap for this course.
A Slope rating of 113 is 'neutral' ie your Playing Handicap for this course is the same as your Handicap. More than 113 and you get extra Handicap allowance. Less than 113 and you get a reduced Handicap allowance - the actual calculation is [(Handicap / 113) * Slope rating)]
As an aside there are courses in the US which have a Slope Rating of 155 meaning that if you are normally an 18 handicapper, for that course, you would play off 25 (now that must be a tough course....)
