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