What Is Slope Rating in Golf?

Why 113 Is the Center

The USGA chose 113 as the "neutral" slope because, on an average course, the difference between a bogey golfer and a scratch golfer's expected scores is 113% of the scoring spread. So a slope of 113 means the course is exactly average in how it treats higher handicaps. A course at 130 plays disproportionately harder for a bogey golfer; one at 100 plays disproportionately easier.

Where Slope Appears in Your Handicap

Slope rating is used twice in the system:

• In your Score Differential: (Adjusted Gross Score − Course Rating) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating. A higher slope makes a good score look better (the 113÷slope ratio shrinks it).
• In your Course Handicap: Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). A higher slope gives you more strokes.

That's why the same index can mean 12 strokes on one course and 16 on another. Try it with the course handicap calculator.

How to Find the Slope Rating

• On the scorecard — usually printed next to each tee box.
• On the course's website or in the golf association app.
• On the tee sign at the first hole.

If you can't find it, 113 is the standard assumption many players use — but the official number is almost always better.

Common Mistakes

• Thinking slope is course difficulty. Course Rating measures absolute difficulty; slope measures relative difficulty for weaker players.
• Using the same slope for every tee. Each tee has its own rating and slope — using the back-tee slope for the forward tees distorts your handicap.
• Ignoring slope for 9-hole rounds. 9-hole courses have their own 9-hole slope that feeds the 9-hole formula.

Frequently Asked Questions