Handicap Certification
To issue USGA Handicap IndexesTM, a club must be licensed by the USGA. The WSGA will administer the licensing program. To become licensed, a club must sign a licensing agreement confirming its compliance with all requirements of the USGA club compliance checklist. Does your club comply?
Meet the USGA definition of a golf club?
A golf club is an organization of at least ten individual members that operates under bylaws with committees (including a Handicap Committee) to supervise golf activities, provide peer review, and maintain the integrity of the USGA Handicap SystemTM.
Have a Handicap Committee composed mostly of members and chaired by a member?
The position of handicap chairman requires a substantial amount of time and a basic knowledge of the USGA Handicap System. The more information the handicap chairman gives the members, the more cooperation the chairman is likely to receive.
Make it possible for players to record the correct USGA Course Rating and USGA Slope Rating with each posted score from every set of tees?
The WSGA computerized handicap system provides this capability.
Require the posting of all scores made at home and away?
Fair handicapping depends upon full and accurate information regarding a player's potential scoring ability as reflected by a complete scoring record. Every player must be responsible for returning all acceptable scores, as defined in Section 5 of the USGA Handicap Manual. For handicap purposes, all Section 4 adjustments, including Equitable Stroke Control, must be applied to all scores including tournament scores.
Require use of USGA procedures to adjust hole scores before posting?
The WSGA computerized handicap system adjusts scores posted hole-by-hole.
Require that nine-hole scores be combined and posted for handicap purposes?
The WSGA computerized handicap system automatically combines nine-hole scores.
Insist that the principles of the Rules of Golf be followed?
Follow the revision schedule and posting season of the Wisconsin State Golf Association?
The WSGA computerized handicap system automatically revises USGA Handicap IndexesTM on the 1st and 15th of every month.
Ensure that all acceptable scores are entered correctly?
Posting scores in person immediately following the round at the course where the round is played is the preferred way to expose scores to peer review. This method of posting must be used whenever possible. The place for returning scores from all courses should be convenient to make it as easy as possible for players to record every round played. (See Section 5-2)
Perform computations and adjustments in accordance with the USGA Handicap Formula?
The WSGA computerized handicap system ensures that all calculations are correct.
Make current scoring records and a list of USGA Handicap IndexesTM of all members readily available for inspection by others?
Current scoring records are available in the WSGA computerized handicap system as well as online at www.wsga.org.
Reduce or increase Handicap Indexes of any player whose handicap does not reflect their potential ability?
If a player fails to post an acceptable score as soon as practicable after completion of a round, the Handicap Committee should post the score and/or a penalty score and Ratings equal to the lowest Handicap Differential in the player's scoring record. If the score is unusually high, the Handicap Committee should post the score and/or penalty score and Ratings equal to the highest Handicap Differential in the player's scoring record.
Notify the Wisconsin State Golf Association when permanent changes have been made to the golf course so that the association can issue a new USGA Course Rating and USGA Slope Rating?
Include the letter "L" after local handicaps, which exceed the USGA maximum limits of 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women?
The WSGA computerized handicap system provides this requirement automatically.
Utilize the current USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating issued by the Wisconsin State Golf Association?
The Wisconsin State Golf Association ensures that member courses' USGA Course Ratings and Slope Ratings are current and accurate.
Participation by a representative from the golf club in a USGA Handicap Seminar (whether conducted by the USGA or the Wisconsin State Golf Association) including passing a test exhibiting knowledge about the system?
Online seminars are available through the USGA or by clicking here.
Have a signed license agreement in place with the Wisconsin State Golf Association or the USGA prior to issuing a USGA Handicap IndexTM to its members?
If you answered "yes" to all of the questions, please complete the Licensing Program Application and return it to the Wisconsin State Golf Association. If you answered "no" to any of the questions, contact the Wisconsin State Golf Association at (414) 443-3560 to determine the necessary action to achieve compliance.