Course Rating
The Anthracite Golf Association has been certified by the USGA to perform obstacle and slope rating of golf courses in accordance with the USGA handicap system. From time to time, the AGA conducts training seminars to certify volunteer course raters. AGA Course rating teams have rated nearly 35 golf courses in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since the handicaps of the players at a course are a function of the course rating that course possesses it is important to have your course rated on a regular basis. The USGA requires courses to be rated a minimum of every ten years in order for the course to use the previously provided USGA course rating. Rating teams are typically comprised of four to eight members depending on the number of tee sets that require rating. Course ratings are usually scheduled sometime during the week, or at other low traffic times to avoid possible conflicts with players. When the rating is completed an AGA committee reviews the rating to ensure the quality and accuracy of the rating. The AGA then provides the club with official documentation of the course rating and slope rating calculated.
Before a course can be rated, the club must:
- Acquire the Official USGA Course Rating Form by sending a request to agastaff@gmail.com.
- Establish a time to be rated with the AGA
- Make members aware of the presence of the rating team; and arrange the course in the standard fashion (Do not set up the course in an abnormally difficult fashion)
- Send completed form to:
- GHIN Request
- 617 Keystone Avenue
- Peckville, PA 18452
Slope Rating Policy
AGA Member Clubs
- Laser measure course from three (3) sets of tees
- Slope & Rate one (1) set of tees for men and women
- Fee $500 (Club pays $250 and AGA pays $250)
Nonmember Clubs
- Laser measure course from three (3) sets of tees
- Slope three (3) sets of tees for men and women
- Fee $500 (Club pays total fee)
Responsibilities of the Club being rated
- Provide riding carts for rating team
- Provide workspace for discussion and calculation of information
- Provide lunch for team members
- Provide tee times for team members to do final player evaluation
- USGA Handicapping system
