Definition: Obstacle stroke value is a key factor in determining USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating numbers.
Obstacle stroke value is a numerical expression of the severity and playability of hazards and obstacles on a golf course - trees, bunkers, water, rough and recovery areas, bail-out areas, forced carries, width and slope of fairways, size and speed of greens and more. It also takes into account the psychological effect of all these obstacles.
The course rating team grades all these factors and assigns them their "obstacle stroke value," which then plays a role in determining the course rating and slope rating.
