[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Rich Iwaszko

I agree that the ratings are 4-6 shots too high.......the result being the handicaps here don't travel well............

The major factor of a course rating is length..........in the old days it was the only factor........
Now they have a formula for secondary factors, width of fairways, type of rough, hazards, slope of greens, speed of greens

A rating team, usually 3-4 persons, walk each hole individually and give that hole a rating based on length and secondary factors, once done they all discuss their notes and come to a conclusion for each hole. That conclusion, and their notes, are submitted to the State Golf Association for another review and a rating is established.

Once submitted to the State Golf Association is when it becomes political. They compare different course ratings and the courses they hold in high esteem will stay with a higher rating even though a team determined otherwise. Sad fact.

I had a course rated in Massachusetts, very high, but when it came back it was lowered. I was told it was lowered because it would be rated harder than The Country Club in Brookline. Politics at the State level.

With the length of the courses in TV, with the very wide fairways, with the bunkers in the fairway really out of play, with the green side bunkers being minimal and not severe, and the greens being fairly flat with little or no slopes and the green speed usually being medium, the course should be rated lower. Again I would say 4-5 shots.

With all that being said, the courses at TV are ideal for its users. You can boast of a low handicap, BUT, don't take it out of the bubble, you will be slaughtered.

Again I say, great courses for this population.

Nice post, but unfortunately it is backwards. If, as stated, you feel TV courses are easy and should be rated 4-5 shots lower, which would put them about 61-62, then everyone's handicap index would be INFLATED by 4-5 shots. Outside the bubble, TV golfers would have a huge advantage, especially since our courses tend to have a low slope as well.