| Golf clubs. In this article we're not talking about the | | | | through newspapers, Internet, etc.After the club is |
| kind that you grip and use to take a swipe at a poor | | | | formed it must comply to all regulations under |
| defenseless golf ball with. We're going to talk about | | | | Section 8-2m; Decision 2/7. This is a rather lengthy |
| the kind that you join. More specifically, what | | | | document with about 14 sections in it. Failure to |
| constitutes a golf club and what exactly does it | | | | conform to any of the regulation can result in the |
| mean to a golfer to be part of one. It's more than | | | | club being kicked out of the USGA.To make sure |
| just a place to hang out and trade tall tales.The first | | | | that golf clubs adhere to all the rules and regulations |
| thing we need to do is define what a golf club | | | | of the USGA, they have set up an audit program for |
| actually is based on the United States Golf | | | | golf clubs to ensure the integrity of the USGA |
| Association (USGA) rules.A golf club is an organization | | | | handicap system is being maintained. What the USGA |
| of at least 10 members. The club itself must be | | | | does is randomly select licensed golf clubs to |
| operated under some kind of bylaws with | | | | complete the audit program and to show evidence |
| committees, which includes a handicap committee. | | | | that they are using the USGA's formulas and service |
| This committee will supervise golf activities, provide | | | | marks the way they are supposed to in compliance |
| reviews and maintain the integrity of the USGA | | | | with the USGA's handicapping system. All licensed golf |
| handicap system. The club itself has to be licensed by | | | | clubs are subjected to being audited by the USGA |
| the USGA in order to use the handicap system. The | | | | regardless of whether or not there is an issue with |
| club can get a license agreement directly from the | | | | compliance.There are 15 items in the audit program |
| USGA or through membership in an authorized golf | | | | itself including the location of the golf club, number of |
| association that is already recognized by the USGA. | | | | members, who handicap indexes are provided to, if |
| This association must have geographical jurisdiction in | | | | there is a handicap committee, if USGA revisions are |
| the area where the club applying for membership is | | | | clearly posted, if members are given a reasonable |
| located.The golf club has to specify which type it is | | | | amount of time throughout the year to play in |
| and there are 3 types.1. It is located in one specific | | | | events, that scores are verified correct, that scores |
| golf course with a valid USGA course rating where | | | | are posted home and away, that the course itself |
| the majority of the events are played and scoring | | | | has been rated within the last 10 years, that scoring |
| records are kept.2. It's members are affiliated to or | | | | records are made available for viewing by officials, |
| associated with another organization. In other words, | | | | that the USGA rules of golf themselves are |
| they belonged to another club before forming this | | | | enforced, and providing any other pertinent |
| one.3. The members have no prior affiliation and get | | | | information that the club has been abiding by USGA |
| other members through solicitation to the public | | | | rules. |