Club Authorization

The program, created in 2005, ensures that each Handicap Committee at an authorized golf club in the United States understands their responsibilities and provides handicap administration and oversight in a fair and consistent manner. Use of any aspect of the World Handicap System™ is limited to authorized golf clubs.

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Authorized Golf Club Requirements

Every golf club under the handicap oversight of the VSGA who wishes to use the WHS™ must be in compliance with the Rules of Handicapping and the USGA Handicap Committee Guide in order to be authorized. This includes meeting the definition of a golf club, including the 10 active member minimum on the roster, completion of the education requirement, and completion of the annual assessment.

When there is a new revision to the Rules of Handicapping, each golf club will be required to participate in an education session and pass a quiz to demonstrate proficiency with the Rules of Handicapping. In the years between revisions, a golf club must complete an annual assessment confirming that the club continues to abide by the Rules of Handicapping, and to identify any changes that may have occurred within the members of the club's Handicap Committee. A new golf club will need to complete the education component and successfully pass the quiz during the first year of membership, and subsequently complete any assessment requirements.

Clubs that have not completed the authorization requirements will not be permitted to use the Rules of Handicapping and the Handicap Index® of its members will be set to NH (No Handicap).

For any questions about club authorization, please contact Michael Walder or Brian Wright by email or phone at (804) 378-2300.

Minimum Number of Members

A golf club, which may or may not be associated with a golf course or facility, is a group of at least 10 active individual members on the handicap roster. 

Handicap Committee

A golf club is required to have a Handicap Committee to supervise golf activities, provide peer review, as well as apply and maintain the integrity of the Rules of Handicapping.

Playing Opportunities

Members of a golf club should have a reasonable and regular opportunity to play golf with each other and reside in a geographic proximity to facilitate this, with members generally within a 100-mile radius of the principal location of the golf club.

Education

To ensure proper handicap administration and oversight, as well as practical knowledge of the Rules of Handicapping, exists at the local level, each golf club must complete an education requirement within six months of the beginning of every revision of the WHS or upon onboarding.  

Annual Assessment

Each golf club must complete the 2025 Club Authorization Assessment to remain authorized. The purpose of the assessment is to maintain the most current contact information and to confirm compliance with the World Handicap System at your golf club.