USGA® HANDICAP LICENSING - Thousands of Golf Clubs nationwide have been certified or licensed by an authorized State or Regional Golf Association, and are therefore authorized to compute USGA Handicap Indexes for their members.

There are more than 100 State and Regional Golf Associations nationwide that are authorized by USGA to certify or license a Golf Club. Only a licensed Golf Club that issues and maintains USGA Handicap Indexes in full accordance with the USGA Handicap System as described in the USGA Handicap System Manual may use the term “USGA Approved Handicap Index”.

Policies of golf clubs issuing USGA Handicap Indexes must be consistent with the Rules of Golf and the USGA Handicap System.  If a golf club does not follow the procedures of the USGA Handicap System, it is not permitted to use any part of the system or refer to any handicap that it issues as a ‘USGA Approved Handicap Index'.

A Golf Association must be licensed by the USGA in order to use the USGA Handicap System, the USGA marks, and to issue USGA approved Handicap Indexes, USGA Course Ratings, and USGA Slope Ratings.

Attending Handicap Licensing Seminars organized and conducted by authorized Golf Associations ensures that each golf club is properly licensed to use the USGA Handicap System, and that all of the elements of the USGA Handicap System are being followed

Upon completion of the Handicap Seminar, the club will receive a certificate indicating that they are authorized by the State Association, as directed by the USGA, to provide USGA approved Handicap Indexes to its members.