About the USGA
What is the United States Golf Association?
• The United States Golf Association (USGA) has served as the national governing body of golf since its formation in 1894.
• An Executive Committee of 15 volunteers oversees the Association and more than 1,400 volunteers from across the country serve on various USGA committees. A professional staff of nearly 300 directs the Association’s day-to-day functions from Golf House, the USGA’s headquarters in Far Hills, N.J.
What does the USGA do?
The USGA conducts 13 national golf championships - the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Senior Open and 10 national amateur championships. The Association also conducts the USGA State Team Championships every two years and helps conduct four international competitions - the Walker Cup Match, the Curtis Cup Match and the Men’s and Women’s World Amateur Team Championships.
Additionally, the USGA sponsors programs that benefit everyone who plays the game. All golfers, whether they are amateurs or professionals, public or private course players, are affected by the work of the USGA, which:
• Formed a Members Program in 1975 to help support the game and the USGA. Today, more than 900,000 golfers around the nation are USGA Members.
• Jointly writes and interprets the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game.
• Produces the Rules of Amateur Status and reinforces the fundamental idea that an amateur is one who plays solely for the enjoyment of the game, without financial benefit.
• Provides a Handicap System so 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 and the Slope System adjusts a player’s USGA Handicap Index according to the difficulty of a course.
• Maintains Equipment Standards by continually testing golf equipment for conformity to the Rules.
• Funds Turfgrass and Environmental Research that leads to improved grasses and playing surfaces that require less water and maintenance. The USGA is also the largest contributor to researching the impact golf courses have on the environment.
• Preserves golf’s heritage by collecting and displaying golf artifacts, memorabilia, books and artwork at the Museum at the USGA’s headquarters in New Jersey. The USGA maintains the largest golf library in the world and a vast collection of photographs, historic films and videos.
• Ensures golf’s future through its Grants and Fellowship initiative. The USGA is committed to a 15-year, $65 million “For the Good of the Game” grants initiative which helps make golf more affordable and accessible.