For the Good of the Game
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has served as the national governing body of golf since its formation in 1894. It is a non-profit organization run by golfers for the benefit of golfers. The USGA remains committed to promoting policies and programs For the Good of the Game®.
What Is the USGA?
More than 9,500 private and public golf courses, clubs and facilities make up the USGA. An Executive Committee of 15 volunteers oversees the Association. More than 1,300 volunteers from all parts of the country also serve on other USGA committees. A professional staff of approximately 350 directs the Association’s day-to-day functions from Golf House, the USGA’s headquarters in Far Hills, New Jersey. In 1975, the Association formed the USGA Members Program to help support the game and the USGA. Today, close to 700,000 golfers around the nation are USGA Members. The USGA acts in cooperation with national, regional, and local golf associations in areas of common interest. The Association also represents the United States in relations with golf associations of other countries.
What Does the USGA Do?
The USGA sponsors programs that benefit everyone who plays the game. These essential services affect all golfers, whether they are amateurs or professionals, public or private course players.
• Writes and Interprets The Rules of Golf
The USGA and The R&A of St. Andrews, Scotland, jointly write and interpret the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game.
• Produces the Rules of Amateur Status
The Rules of Amateur Status reinforce the fundamental idea that an amateur is one who plays solely for the enjoyment of the game, without financial benefit.
• Conducts National Championships
The USGA conducts golf’s national championships. These include the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior Open, the 10 national amateur championships and the State Team Championships. The USGA also helps conduct four international competitions — the Walker Cup Match, the Curtis Cup Match, and the Men’s and Women’s World Amateur Team Championships.
• Provides A Handicap System
Thanks to the USGA Handicap System, all golfers can compete on an equal basis. The USGA Course Rating System ensures that golf courses are rated in relation to all other courses. The USGA Slope System adjusts a player’s USGA Handicap Index according to the difficulty of a course. As a result, no matter whom golfers play with — or where they play — they can enjoy a fair game.
• Maintains Equipment Standards
The USGA continually tests golf equipment for conformity to the Rules. Without such rigorous equipment testing and research programs, advances in technology could soon overtake skill as the major factor in success.
• Funds Turfgrass and Environmental Research
The USGA funds research that leads to improved grasses and playing surfaces that require less water and maintenance and can better endure diseases and pests. These grasses and playing surfaces can be used in a wide variety of climates. The USGA is also the largest contributor to research on the impact of golf courses on the environment.
• USGA Turf Advisory Service
The USGA has 18 skilled agronomists who make annual visits to more than 1,800 golf courses. These experts offer recommendations that help improve golf course maintenance and make it more cost-efficient.
• Preserves Golf’s History
To help preserve the game’s heritage, the USGA collects and displays golf artifacts, memorabilia, books, and artwork at the USGA Museum and Library, in Far Hills, New Jersey. The USGA Archives contains the largest golf library in the world and one of the most extensive collections of golf photographic and film media in existence. The Association also sponsors a Traveling Exhibit Program that displays portions of its collection to locations around the nation each year.
• Ensures Golf’s Future
The USGA Foundation funds a variety of junior golf, caddie, physically challenged, and education programs that foster the notion that golf is a game for everyone. The USGA has committed more than $50 million over a 10-year period to support programs that operate for the good of the game.
