I had a very interesting 2 days this week with the ladies from the FPG while they carried out Silves course slope rating and it was good to get an insight into how it is done.

On each yellow tee, shot lengths are measured for both scratch and bogey players, based on average shot length statistics and the same procedure is done from the red tees.

Lots of factors are taken into account on each hole e.g. Altitude, roll, rough, hazards, bunkers, water, trees, surface of greens etc, so it's an extremely detailed operation.

The positioning of tee boxes etc is not part of their evaluation, only the distances from where the tees actually are at the moment.

However, if there are any notable alterations to the course, they will come again to re-evaluate the changes and overall bearing they have on the rating.

Their findings will be fed into their system, then reported back to Pestana in due course.

These inspections take place when the course is new, then 3 years later, another 3 years later ( May 2013), then 10 years later, unless changes dictate otherwise.

If anyone has any questions I will be happy to discuss things AFTER golf.

Mags Taylor

Handicap Secretary

SdMGC