USGA GHIN Handicap services

runpuddrun · Jun 29, 2012

I really want to get an official handicap before our annual golf outing in August and am kind of confused about the process. I went to the USGA site and found the Get an Official handicap and found a couple of "online clubs" in Kansas. After I register for one of the clubs, Is it as simple as paying the $25 and posting my scores or is there something else I need to do? I called the club I now belong to and it was $40 and even they were confused as to how I should go about doing it, at least the guy that answered the phone was.

MarcH · Jun 29, 2012

I do mine through an online club. Just post your scores online and you'll get a handicap next revision.

White Rhino · Jun 29, 2012

MarcH said:
I do mine through an online club. Just post your scores online and you'll get a handicap next revision.

Is that "official though"

I have used Oooob like others but I don't think that is official, just a guideline.

tgtt · Jun 29, 2012

Didn't I read THP was gonna do this or was I dreaming?

JB · Jun 29, 2012

tgtt said:
Didn't I read THP was gonna do this or was I dreaming?

Still the plan, but until we can have it function and be cost effective, it wont be launched.

fishymehta · Jun 29, 2012

White Rhino said:
Is that "official though"

I have used Oooob like others but I don't think that is official, just a guideline.

Most golf clubs offer an "official" USGA handicap system if you sign up (for some, it's included in membership). Just an FYI, though: Oob does offer accurate handicaps, using the same system as the USGA, but it just isn't USGA-sanctioned

White Rhino · Jun 29, 2012

fishymehta said:
Most golf clubs offer an "official" USGA handicap system if you sign up (for some, it's included in membership). Just an FYI, though: Oob does offer accurate handicaps, using the same system as the USGA, but it just isn't USGA-sanctioned

that was my thought. That was why I asked about the online club Marc was part of and if that was "official" via USGA

runpuddrun · Jun 29, 2012

tgtt said:
Didn't I read THP was gonna do this or was I dreaming?

Yeah, I was waiting, but like JB said, it's not ready yet and I have been wanting to get started for a while now.

fishymehta said:
Most golf clubs offer an "official" USGA handicap system if you sign up (for some, it's included in membership). Just an FYI, though: Oob does offer accurate handicaps, using the same system as the USGA, but it just isn't USGA-sanctioned

I called my club and they said $40, which is $15 more than the online club through the GHIN service. I tried OOB, but their app is horrible and crashes on me all the time, not official and I think JB said that it's not that accurate (always better than you actually are)

White Rhino · Jun 29, 2012

runpuddrun said:
Yeah, I was waiting, but like JB said, it's not ready yet and I have been wanting to get started for a while now.

I called my club and they said $40, which is $15 more than the online club through the GHIN service. I tried OOB, but their app is horrible and crashes on me all the time, not official and I think JB said that it's not that accurate (always better than you actually are)

I have used it for over 2 years and I never had a problem with it. Weird you have so much trouble.

KellyBo · Jun 29, 2012

White Rhino said:
Is that "official though"

I have used Oooob like others but I don't think that is official, just a guideline.

I know Marc posts his through the Southern Nevada Golf Association and it's official. Ole Gray and I both joined through our club and post our own scores through GHIN.com which is also official. I'm thinking you have to sign up through a local course but I'm not positive.

White Rhino · Jun 29, 2012

KellyBo said:
I know Marc posts his through the Southern Nevada Golf Association and it's official. Ole Gray and I both joined through our club and post our own scores through GHIN.com which is also official. I'm thinking you have to sign up through a local course but I'm not positive.

That is how I understand it as well.

JB · Jun 29, 2012

KellyBo said:
I know Marc posts his through the Southern Nevada Golf Association and it's official. Ole Gray and I both joined through our club and post our own scores through GHIN.com which is also official. I'm thinking you have to sign up through a local course but I'm not positive.

White Rhino said:
That is how I understand it as well.

You dont have to. There are online clubs that can and do offer official USGA indexes.

White Rhino · Jun 29, 2012

JB said:
You dont have to. There are online clubs that can and do offer official USGA indexes.

Oh? do you know any of them? Are they the same cost as a "normal club" ?

JB · Jun 29, 2012

There are quite a few including some local to people. I even think Golf Galaxy has one.

TripleBogieTim · Jun 29, 2012

Mine is done through my home course....used to be free with my membership, but this year they started charging $25 for handicap service....I paid it because I wanted to have an official handicap....but I figured when THP got theirs up and going I would switch it to here.

FWIW, the OOB app always crashed on my phone too.

runpuddrun · Jun 29, 2012

I don't know why the oob app doesn't seem to work, but it just hangs and crashes twice a round and I ended up giving up on it after 3 rounds.

Yeah, Golf Galaxy and Golfsmith both have ones. I just registered through Kansas City Golf Association and posted some scores already.

overkil2 · Jul 1, 2012

I signed up through FSGA and just enter the scores myself. Works well. Check your state association.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HDt

jdtox · Jul 16, 2012

I want an official handicap, where do I start?

I want an official handicap, where do I start?

I have never had an official handicap and I would like to start keeping track now that I am able to play consistently. Eventually I'd like to start playing some tourneys and such next year and will need that in order to compete. I seem to remember something about being able to do it here. Did anything ever come of that?

So where do I begin? Is there a cost involved?

Dadbiondo · Jul 16, 2012

Local courses and clubs may offer handicap services, but I got mine through www.golfgalaxynetwork.com I found a local club through that website and it only cost $30 for the year.

runpuddrun · Jul 16, 2012

You can get a handicap through your local club or you can sign up online through GHIN and find a "eclub". That is what I did and it cost $30.

Hawk · Jul 16, 2012

runpuddrun said:
You can get a handicap through your local club or you can sign up online through GHIN and find a "eclub". That is what I did and it cost $30.

Yep. You don't have to be a member at a club in the traditional sense to get a GHIN handicap. Go to http://www.gam.org/Public/membership.aspx and find a club in your area that offers online score entry and you should be good to go.

jdtox · Jul 16, 2012

Thanks guys I just registered and entered a few rounds in. Soon I will have an official GHIN.

Hawk · Jul 16, 2012

It's pretty cool to get that email, though I always get nervous like I'm waiting on test results lol.

bigtazz53 · Jul 16, 2012

I had my USGA index on US Handicap, http://www.ushandicap.com/ (powered by Golfnet) and I think it is $25 for a year.
As for oobgolf, I love it, I've used it for years with no trouble. The app used on my android is great. Clean an easy to
use, plus its free.
Both sites are very good, join both for free and try them out and see which you like better.
Forums on oobgolf are SLOW and US Handicap has a good core of folks.