Clarifications of the Rules of GolfUpdated July 1, 2025 New additions will normally be updated on a quarterly basis each January, April, July, and October and the next quarterly update will be in ...

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 ...

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?

U.S. Handicapping StatisticsBased on data through June 30, 2025 This page is best viewed on desktop or in landscape mode on mobile devices.

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 ...

Q. What is the playing conditions calculation (PCC) and how does it work? A. At the end of each day, the playing conditions calculation takes place automatically to determine if scores made at the ...

Major ChangesThe following are the main changes to the Rules of Golf that took effect on January 1, 2019. The items covered on this page are organized into nine categories. Within each individual item ...

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

Below are common questions related to the Rules of Amateur Status. The Rules in their entirety, including Guidance Notes, can be found at www.usga.org/amateurstatus ...

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