The purpose of the USGA Handicap
System is to make the game of golf more
enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities
to compete on an equitable basis.
The System provides a fair
Course Handicap for each player,
regardless of ability, and adjusts a player's
Handicap Index up or down as the player's
game changes. A Handicap Index is
useful for all forms of play, and is issued only to
individuals who are members of a golf club.
Therefore, joining a Golf Club
is a prerequisite to obtaining a valid USGA
Handicap Index.
However, a large number of social
golfers in Singapore do not possess a valid USGA
Handicap Index and also do not belong to a specific
golf club with a golf course but yet they play golf
at many locations. The principal reasons may be:
- The prohibitve costs involved in buying
membership rights at the private golf clubs
which have golf courses;
- The ease of gaining playing access at
golf courses of neighbouring countries
without the need to become a member; and/or
- The desire to play regularly at
different golf courses.
On the contrary, the main
disadvantages of not belonging to a golf club with
or without golf course are as follows:
- No access to a valid Handicapping System
- Limited access to organsied or
sanctioned golf events
- No access to club purchasing power
- Limited capacity for golf related social
interactions
- High green fees
The obvious alternative is
joining a golf club without golf course or real
estate. Thus, the existence of the SSG is to
serve and provide them with all the needs such as:
- Provide members with a framework and
structure under which the members have the
opportunity to regulate, administer and
monitor the way in which they play golf
together and other benefits from their
collaboration.
- Issue valid USGA Handicap Indexes to its
members with free maintenance.
- Offer all the members the economies of
scale of a large or established golf club.
Procedure for
Obtaining a Handicap Index
The procedure to obtain a valid
Handicap Index through the Society is simple. Each
member is required to satisfy the following
requirements:
- Join SSG as an
Ordinary or
Associate members;
- Attend the USGA Handicap System
workshop;
- Attend the Rules of Golf workshop;
- Submit at least five 18-holes
acceptable score cards; and
- Undergo a Handicap Test conducted by an
appointed Golf Professional or by the
Handicap Committee.
