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.

Learn more about the leadership of the United States Golf Association, as well as the USGA's non-profit mission, vision statement, and our annual awards, given to individuals who impact golf at the ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 6 covers how to play a hole – such as the specific Rules for teeing off to start a hole, the requirement to use the same ball for an entire hole except when substitution is ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 13 is a specific Rule for putting greens. Putting greens are specially prepared for playing your ball along the ground and there is a flagstick for the hole on each putting green ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 16 covers when and how you may take free relief by playing a ball from a different place, such as when you have interference by an abnormal course condition or a dangerous animal ...

The USGA is the global leader in golf course sustainability practices, including the research and development of turfgrass that requires less water.

Learn more about the leadership of the United States Golf Association, as well as the USGA's non-profit mission, vision statement, and our annual awards, given to individuals who impact golf at the ...

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 ...

The USGA's new Rules of Golf will go into effect on January 1, 2023. Explore additional resources on these changes here.

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 ...

Frequently Asked Questions for the United States Golf Association implementation of the World Golf Handicap System (WHS). Learn more and get contact information for Handicap questions.

The USGA Rules Hub contains all of the information and resources you need to learn more about the Rules of Golf.