If you have ever examined a scorecard or posted a score for handicap purposes, you have probably seen the terms Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®. While most golfers know they pertain to course ...

Some things in golf puzzle even the most avid, seasoned golfers. How course ratings and slopes—aka the difficulty of a course—are calculated would be up there. We’re not talking about the course ...

Information on The List was obtained from the United States Golf Association's Course Rating and Slope Database. Data was compiled as of August 28, 2025. In case of ties, the toughest golf courses are ...

Note: Ties broken by course rating. Sources: USGA and the courses A new version of this list is available. View the most recent version Ranked by Metro-area revenue ...

For a score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, it must be played on a set of tees on a golf course with a valid Course Rating and Slope Rating. All tees up to 6,000 yards on an 18-hole course ...