In 2014, the USGA celebrated its 120th anniversary as the national governing body for golf in the United States, its territories and Mexico. A lot of history has been made in the first 120 years, and ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 8 covers a central principle of the game: “play the course as you find it.” When your ball comes to rest, you normally have to accept the conditions affecting the stroke and not ...

In order to establish and maintain a Handicap Index, a player must be a member of an authorized golf club. Most golf courses, public and private, are authorized.

Appendix C: Handicap Allowances Handicap allowances are designed to provide equity in different formats of play, over both 9 holes and 18 holes. Handicap allowances are applied to the unrounded Course ...

About the Green SectionThe USGA Green Section is dedicated to advancing the science and sustainability of golf course maintenance. This mission is achieved through five primary programs: Research: The ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 5 covers how to play a round – such as where and when you may practise on the course before or during your round, when your round starts and ends and what happens when play has ...

Conforming Club and Ball ListsThe Equipment Database identifies golf balls and clubs that have been submitted and evaluated for conformance to the Rules of Golf by the United States Golf Association ...

FAQ - What is a Score Differential™ and how is it calculated? FAQ - How is a Handicap Index® Calculated? FAQ - I always play the same tees. Is my Handicap Index "established" from that set?

If you have a question about the Rules of Golf or the Rules of Amateur Status, please reference the below resources for guidance. If the answer to your question cannot be found in one of our resources ...

What you should know - In 150 words or less If you're new to the system and posting your initial three scores to establish your Handicap Index®, the maximum hole score you can post is par + 5. Once ...

Appendix E: Stroke Index Allocation The Rules of Golf state: “The Committee is responsible for publishing on the scorecard or somewhere else that is visible (for example, near the first tee) the order ...

Play the course as you find it and play your ball as it lies. Play by the Rules and in the spirit of the game. You are responsible for applying your own penalties if you breach a Rule, so that you ...