Before your club can issue handicaps, you must comply with the following steps (in order) to get your club licensed.
- The golf club must contain at least 10 members.
- Chairperson must complete the USGA handicap seminar and pass corresponding test. The USGA handicap seminar is located here.
- The Golf Club must be licensed with the USGA. License form is located here.
Handicap Chairperson Duties of a Licensed Golf Club
8-1. Handicap Chairperson/Committee
The position of handicap chairperson requires a substantial amount of time and a basic knowledge of the USGA Handicap System. The more information the handicap chairperson gives the members, the more cooperation the chairperson is likely to receive. (See Decisions 8-1/1 and 8-1/1.5.)
8-2. Duties and Responsibilities
The Handicap Chairman/Committee within the golf club is responsible for all aspects of the USGA Handicap System, including the computation of each member's Handicap Index (U.S. Handicap computes the handicap for the chairperson, chairperson needs to make sure all scorecards and scores are accurate). In addition, the Handicap Chairman has the authority to make the determination if course conditions are so poor that score posting should be suspended. If score posting is suspended for an extended period, the golf club must obtain approval from its authorized golf association.
a. Notice to Members
It is advisable to send a notice to members before the season starts in order to outline the USGA Handicap System, to stress the importance of reporting all acceptable scores and to report the Handicap Chairman/Committee's policies. The members may be advised of such matters as the following:
(i) How and where scores are returned;
(ii) If handicap cards or labels are issued;
(iii) How each Handicap Index is verified at each revision;
(iv) The handicap revision schedule as determined by the authorized golf association;
(v) The duration of any inactive season established by the authorized golf association (See Section 6-2);
(vi) How away scores are posted prior to the start of the active season;
(vii) Handicap Index adjustment responsibilities of the Handicap Chairman/Committee (See Sections 8-4 and 10-3);
(viii) Penalties for players failing to return scores (See Section 8-4c(iv));
(ix) Which rounds will be designated as tournament scores. (See Sections 8-2l and 10-3.)
b. Display each USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of the Club (U.S. Handicap provides this)
The USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating from each set of tee markers should be printed on the club scorecard and posted in a prominent place at the club, preferably by means of a poster certified by the authorized golf association. The ratings should also be easily retrievable on the screen of any computer used for score posting.
c. Displaying USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of Area Courses (U.S. Handicap provides this)
A list of each USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating of area courses should be provided by the authorized golf association and posted at the place where scores are returned. If a computer is used for score posting, the list should be made easily available for viewing on the screen.
d. Posting Course Handicap Tables (U.S. Handicap provides this)
The Course Handicap Table from each set of tee markers, as issued to a golf club by the authorized golf association, must be posted in a prominent place at the club, on or near the first tee of every course at the club, and in any other place considered beneficial for assisting with the process of converting a Handicap Index to a Course Handicap. The Handicap Chairman/Committee is responsible for obtaining these tables from the issuing authorized golf association and assuring their display. Each table should show the tee's Slope Rating and USGA Course Rating, as well as the corresponding Course Handicap for a player's Handicap Index. Course Handicap Tables may be obtained from the authorized golf association that issued each rating.
e. Comparing USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating (U.S. Handicap provides this)
The Handicap Chairman/Committee should compare each USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating from its club with those of other courses. A separate USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating must be made from each set of tee markers as practical for each gender.
A club must accept and use the USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating that has been issued by an authorized golf association. If a club disagrees with its Ratings, it may request the authorized golf association to review the ratings.
f. Examining Results of Competitions
The Handicap Chairperson should examine results of competitions. If net scores of any players appear exceptional, the Handicap Chairman/Committee should take appropriate action under procedures in Sections 8-4 and 10-3. (See Appendix E.) The golf club or Handicap Chairman/Committee should forward exceptional tournament scores of guests to the guest's golf club or golf association.
g. Maintaining Players' Records (U.S. Handicap provides this)
The Handicap Chairman must be responsible for maintaining players' records, including prominently displaying a Handicap Index list. Current scoring records of all players in the club from the most recent revision must be available to all members and others as noted in the definition of Peer Review. It is preferable for only one committee member to be responsible for players' records and keeping the Handicap Index of each member up-to-date.
If mathematical computations are made by a computer or computation service, the Handicap Chairman/Committee still has the responsibility of reviewing the data entered into and received from the computer or computation service and applying all other procedures of the USGA Handicap System.
h. New-Member Records (U.S. Handicap provides this)
The Handicap Chairman has the responsibility for obtaining the scoring record (including USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating accompanying each score) of a new member. The Handicap Chairman/Committee may seek the scoring record through the player's previous golf club, authorized golf association, or computation service, or by communicating directly with the player. If a record is unavailable, the new member must post five scores and have a handicap revision take place or have the Handicap Chairman/Committee issue a modified Handicap Index in the interim period if at least five scores exist in the scoring record. (See Section 6-6 and Decision 6-1/1.)
i. Resigned Member Records (U.S. Handicap provides this)
The scoring record of a member who resigns should be preserved by the former golf club or authorized golf association for at least one year in the event a new golf club may need it.
The Handicap Index of a resigned member remains valid only until the next revision date at the golf club that issued the Handicap Index. When the player joins a new golf club, See Section 6-7.
j. Corrections in Records and Calculations (U.S. Handicap will always be examining our computation service to correct any errors or miscalculations)
The Handicap Chairman/Committee must review the accuracy of scoring records and information entered by any computation service. If errors exist, the committee must investigate and inform the authorized golf association or computation service, which must correct the scoring record as soon as practical and no later than the next revision date. The Handicap Chairman/Committee must issue a corrected Handicap Index as soon as possible after a scoring error is recognized. A golf club may wish to consult the golf association or computation service for assistance. All reports must be amended to reflect the corrected information.
k. Club Handicap Cards (U.S. Handicap provides this)
The Handicap Chairman/Committee may issue each player a handicap card or label displaying the Handicap Index. (See Section 6-4.)
l. Cooperation With Other Committees
The Handicap Chairman/Committee may check periodically and consult with other club committees, including, but not limited to:
- The allocation of handicap-stroke holes on the course according to USGA guidelines (See Section 17);
- The determination of course set-up and par (See Section 15 and 16);
- The determination if course conditions are too poor, that score posting should be suspended;
- Work with the tournament committee/committee in charge of the competition to determine whether scores will be defined as tournament scores (See Section 2, Section 8-2,
- The maintenance of playing difficulty of the course (See Section 15);
- Invocation of any Local Rule on preferred lies (See Section 7-1). In working with other committees, the Handicap Chairman/Committee has the responsibility to provide handicap information in a timely manner.
