Posted January 25, 2010
We’ve received the question several times since our new website launched and I wanted to point out some key reasons to why we now charge for an Official USGA Handicap Index and other key features on our website.
The USGA
A USGA Handicap Index may just seem like a simple calculation, but there is much more involved that you don’t necessarily see. The formula used to calculate a Handicap Index is proprietary to the USGA, which means we can’t give you a Handicap unless we do it their way, and doing it their way is more than just calculating a number. This ensures that you handicap is compliant with the USGA Handicap System. Here are the basic requirements for to establish a USGA Handicap:
- You must post at least 5 complete rounds.
- You must be a member of a Licensed USGA Golf Club
- Clubs must have at least 10 members
- The club must have a chairperson that has taken the handicap seminar
- A license request is generated and must be approved by the State Golf Association or the USGA
State Golf Associations
Every time you post a score, you also post the Slope and the Rating of the course that you played. Theses Slopes and Ratings are determined by the non-profit State Golf Associations. They physically go out to each course and measure the difficulty to determine the Slope and Rating.
The State Golf Associations are also the first line of approval when creating a new USGA licensed golf club. Without their approval, new clubs can take months to get licensed….and without a licensed golf club, you can’t have a Handicap.
Club Chairpersons
When you join a USGA Licensed Golf Club, there is a chairperson that moderates every member and their scores that are posted. This chairperson has taken the USGA Handicap Seminar and has these special privileges. The club chairperson also sets up events and tournaments for club members. Without a club chairperson, you can’t have a Handicap. If you are a club chairman, we will be paying you back for your efforts as a chairman. Details on the payback will be determined soon.
The Network
The Network
It's also important to note that Stracka has invested a LOT of money to enable this sytem for hundreds of clubs and continues to invest to create a great experience for our members. This system does not operate by itself. There are servers, databases, technology and staff that are dedicated to making this system work.
Why do I mention all of this?
There is a significant amount of man-power that goes into maintaining a website that includes a USGA Handicap, Golf Course Promotions, Golf Games and Fantasy etc… The new fee that we charge will help us improve the website, enhance our offerings, as well as allow us to give money to the State Golf Associations and USGA, which will in-turn grow the game of golf.
There is Still Free Access
I would also like to point out that we have been offering our services free of charge for over 10 years. And moving forward, we will still continue to offer many features on our site for free:
- GolfQ Last Minute Promotions – Best deals are often found here
- Round Posting, History and Scoring Average
- Basic Game Statistics
- Community / Social Network
- Fantasy Golf / Games
If you are a Club Chairman and still have questions, please contact us using the Customer Support page. We'll address any questions you have.
