A course rating of 74.8, for example, means that scratch golfers are expected to post an average score of 74.8 from that set of tees on that course.
A course rating of 74.8 is pretty stiff, but there are no hard-and-fast parameters for how high or low course rating can go. Most course ratings will range from the upper 60s to the mid 70s.
Each course is rated for each set of tees, and most have separate ratings for some of the tees for women. For example, the forward tees might be rated 67.5 for men and 71.5 for women.
The course rating system developed by the USGA is used throughout much of the world.
