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Access AZGolf Membership FAQ
- Does this membership include a USGA Handicap Index?
- NO. The USGA is very specific about maintaining a USGA Handicap Index. In order to maintain the integrity of the USGA system, golfers MUST be a member of a club and subject themselves to peer review. A club is a group of at least ten individuals who play golf together.
- What is a certified scoring average?
- It is an adjusted scoring average, weighted toward more recent scores and current playing trends. A golfer's score is adjusted for the par and length of the golf course played and reflects the player's ability to make par on a given hole compared to other players of similar ability.
- What is the difference between a certified scoring average and a USGA handicap?
- A certified scoring average doesn't have anything to do with a USGA Handicap Index. USGA Handicap is a peer-reviewed estimate of potential, unrelated to an adjusted scoring average. A certified scoring average is an estimate of current ability, not potential. It is not subject to any of the rules and regulations set forth by the USGA and will not allow you to enter events that require a USGA Handicap.
- How is a certified scoring average calculated?
- Each score is adjusted for yardage and par against an overall average for courses. Then, the scores played are evaluated on a historical basis to predict more accurately your next score.
- Can I predict my next most likely score?
- Yes, the Golfers IQ can look at your current scoring average and predict what your next score is likely to be. Just click on "Predict My Score", enter either the course and tees, or the yardage and par of the golf course you are going to play. The program will predict your score within a few strokes. Now you can check the predicted score of your group before you negotiate the strokes and the wager.
- How do I post a score?
- Scores can only be posted on the AGA's website.
- Am I able to post a 9-hole round?
- At this time, you are only able to post scores for 18-hole rounds.
Course Rating FAQ
- Can I post a score if I use the electronic yardage finders on the golf carts or on hand-held devices?
- Yes. Even though Electronic Measuring Devices (EMD's) are not permitted under the Rules of Golf (Rule 14-3), the information provided is widely available. As long as this information is obtained before rather than during the execution of the golf shot, the scores are acceptable for handicap purposes.
- Can I post a 9-hole Tournament score?
- No. A tournament score must have at least 13 holes played under tournament conditions for it to be designated as a tournament score.
- Can a Handicap Committee require the returning of scorecards from players in order for a score to be posted?
- No. The Committee may from time to time require that scorecards be returned so they can sample the accuracy of adjusting scores or to accumulate scores for hole handicapping. If a scorecard is not returned, the Committee cannot take punitive action regarding the scoring record or the Handicap Index if a scorecard does not accompany a score.
- Is there an adjustment when competing against someone playing a different set of tees?
- Yes. Different tees usually have different USGA Course Ratings and an adjustment has to be made to equalize the courses. The higher rated course is more difficult and the player playing from the set of tees with the higher USGA Course Rating should receive additional strokes equal to the difference between the Course Ratings, with .5 or greater rounded upward. However, when applying ESC, the additional strokes received under this procedure are to be disregarded.
Handicap Licensing
- Why does the USGA require clubs to become licensed?
- The goal of this program is to ensure the integrity of the USGA Handicap System and that those golfers who desire a USGA Handicap Index obtain one that is legitimate. A core component of a handicap system has always been the element of "peer review", the ability of club members to review the scoring records of their peers. The closer the relationship of the members within a club, the more reliable the peer review process is. With the introduction of Internet based for-profit organizations that solicit members by non-traditional, mass-marketing techniques, a real threat to the integrity of the system has been created. These new procedures will have a limited impact on the traditional clubs located at the golf course or clubs without real estate that currently are members of the association and already comply with the rules of the USGA Handicap System.
- What is the new definition of a golf club?
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A golf club is an organization of at least ten individual members that operates under bylaws with committees (including a Handicap Committee) to supervise golf activities, provide peer review, and maintain the integrity of the USGA Handicap System (see Compliance Checklist, Section 8-2m). A golf club must be licensed by the USGA to issue a Handicap Index to its members. A club can obtain a license agreement (see Appendix F, USGA Handicap System) directly from the USGA or through its membership in an authorized golf association that is already licensed by the USGA and that has jurisdiction in the geographic area that includes the principal location of the golf club.
Members of a golf club must have a reasonable and regular opportunity to play golf with each other. They must be able to return scores personally. These scores must be readily available for inspection by others, including, but not limited to, fellow members and the club's Handicap Committee.
Each golf club must determine its category. A golf club fits into one of the following three (3) categories:
1. It is located at a single specific golf course with a valid USGA Course and Slope Rating where a majority of the club's events are played and where the club's scoring records reside; or
2. Its members are affiliated or known to one another via a business, fraternal, ethnic or social organization. The majority of the club members had an affiliation prior to organizing the club; or
3. The members had no prior affiliation and a majority of the recruiting and sign-up of the membership is done by solicitation to the general public (e.g., Internet, newspaper).
- Who is eligible to participate in the Club Licensing Program?
- The Club Licensing Program is something that is required for all clubs in the United States that wish to issue a USGA Handicap Index to members. If a club is a member of the authorized golf association in its area, then it must sign an agreement with the authorized golf association. Any golf club wishing to issue a USGA Handicap Index to its members must be approved through the USGA Club Licensing Program.
- What is the Golf Association's role in the Club Licensing Program?
- The authorized golf association that has jurisdiction in an area is responsible for monitoring whether any club wishing to become authorized complies with USGA Handicap System requirements. Specifically, the association needs to verify that the golf club follows the correct handicap revision schedule, active/inactive season dates (if applicable) and other items in the Club Compliance Checklist. If the club complies, then the authorized golf association must sign the application before it is sent to the USGA Handicap Department for approval. If the association is concerned that the club in question does not comply, then the association should forward the application to the USGA with acknowledgement of the concern, but should also provide the golf club with information as to why it is believed to have a compliance issue.
- What is expected of current member clubs of an authorized golf association in regard to the Club Licensing Program?
- The golf association must receive written confirmation from each of its member clubs stating that the club is following the USGA Handicap System. It is up to each golf association to determine how to implement this confirmation process. The USGA must be allowed to access these confirmations upon request. Once a club has confirmed that it complies with the Handicap System requirements, the golf association should send a listing of its authorized clubs to the USGA, so that the club names will be placed on the USGA Web site as authorized golf clubs.
- We have formed our own club and have elected to not join our state/regional golf association. Can we license our club directly with the USGA?
- Yes, the club must become licensed independently and directly through the USGA. Contact the USGA Handicap Department to obtain a club license application or contact an authorized golf association in your area to obtain the club license application. In the license application, an authorized golf association is required to sign the document, acknowledging that it believes your club is following all USGA Handicap System policies. There are two areas that an authorized golf association governs, the revision schedule and the active and inactive season. The authorized association can confirm these two requirements are being satisfied, but all other items are subject to final approval by the USGA. The USGA makes the final decision as to whether a club is licensed to utilize the USGA Handicap System.
Handicap FAQ
- Can I post a score if I use the electronic yardage finders on the golf carts or on hand-held devices?
- Yes. Even though Electronic Measuring Devices (EMD's) are not permitted under the Rules of Golf (Rule 14-3), the information provided is widely available. As long as this information is obtained before rather than during the execution of the golf shot, the scores are acceptable for handicap purposes.
- Can I post a 9-hole Tournament score?
- No. A tournament score must have at least 13 holes played under tournament conditions for it to be designated as a tournament score.
- Can a Handicap Committee require the returning of scorecards from players in order for a score to be posted?
- No. The Committee may from time to time require that scorecards be returned so they can sample the accuracy of adjusting scores or to accumulate scores for hole handicapping. If a scorecard is not returned, the Committee cannot take punitive action regarding the scoring record or the Handicap Index if a scorecard does not accompany a score.
- Is there an adjustment when competing against someone playing a different set of tees?
- Yes. Different tees usually have different USGA Course Ratings and an adjustment has to be made to equalize the courses. The higher rated course is more difficult and the player playing from the set of tees with the higher USGA Course Rating should receive additional strokes equal to the difference between the Course Ratings, with .5 or greater rounded upward. However, when applying ESC, the additional strokes received under this procedure are to be disregarded.
FAQ - 2010 AGA Dues Increase
- When was the last time the AGA raised its dues?
- 1998 - twelve years ago.
- Why does the AGA find it necessary to raise dues?
- Over the past twelve years the AGA has answered the needs and requests of our members by adding benefits and improving existing programs. During that period costs have increased 45%. In order to avoid cutting some of those benefits and services (such as magazine issues and personalized telephone service), we can't absorb another 4% increase in costs. The dues increase and new Access AZGolf program are the only answer. Clubs will benefit in several ways - added value for members, retention of all services and programs, marketing services for public clubs and better communications about future offerings for individuals.
- What programs have been added or improved upon over the past 12 years?
- Virtually every department has made changes to increase or improve benefits to our members. A portion of those changes are listed below:
- Developed a state of the art handicap system through a partnership with EZLinks and the AWGA to provide on-line real time opportunities for posting scores and a seamless transfer of scores to other associations for our multi-members;
- Provided computer equipment and label printers to all golf course facilities and assisted clubs in connecting the computers to the Internet;
- Added the ability to have your handicap revision emailed directly to you;
- Expanded our tournament schedule to include one-day fun events geared toward the average player; Senior Series, Mid-Amateur Series and Member Days;
- Introduced the very popular Club Team Championship;
- Created the Club Delegate program to become more connected to the clubs and provide for an exchange of information between the AGA and the clubs;
- Designed our first website www.azgolf.org in 1998. Since then we have gone through two redesigns in order to answer the needs and demands of our members;
- Improved our magazine Arizona The State of Golf in order to provide information that is important to our membership;
- Added value to your membership through the development of partnerships in the community to provide special pricing and/or discounts to our members
- It seems that, if the AGA allows people to sign up online at the old rate of $25.00 and will cover the credit card costs, that the AGA revenues will decrease.
- We do not anticipate that all clubs will want to take advantage of the discount opportunity. There are several reasons why it would benefit the association:
The administrative abd accounting costs go down with on-line signups
We will have an opportunity to capture correct address and email information on our membership. One of our biggest challenge is addresses. When we mail out our magazine, for every one that gets returned to us, it costs us $.50 and unfortunately, we cannot refuse. The most common reason for the return is either a) forwarding address expired or b) incomplete address (it has the street address but no unit number). Often the individual entering the information is not concerned about getting that information correct. Certainly when the magazine comes back, we do attempt to correct and/or remove the address information. That takes considerable administrative time.
It helps us with branding the association and giving our members a chance to see some of the things we do, including course rating. With the influx of Internet based handicap services, we are struggling with maintaining the integrity of the USGA Handicap System and making people understand the value of supporting the state association.
We're also offered to help market the club if they are looking for new members...that will help the club as well as the AGA by increasing it's membership.
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