Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for a quick answer? Find the questions we hear most and their answers below.
How do I sign up and how much does a membership cost?
- You can sign up online by clicking here Join or Renew or by calling our office at 801-563-0400.
- Adult members 19 years of age and older pay $38 for a 365 day membership.
- Junior members 18 years of age and younger pay $25 for a 365 day membership.
What are the benefits of becoming a member of the UGA?
- Your membership with the Utah Golf Association benefits you in various ways. Not only are you supporting the growth of the game in Utah, you receive over $1,100 in discounts and benefits, opportunities to play private country clubs for a small fee, the ability to play in tournaments throughout the state, and your official WHS Handicap Index. We are committed to finding the best benefits for our members and we are always looking for ways to protect and grow the game in Utah.
- You can view the complete list of member benefits by clicking here.
Need to change or remove a score?
- If you need to change or remove a score, please call the UGA office. UGA staff will need your GHIN #, date the round was played and the changes needed. UGA staff will not remove a tournament score or scores posted a club without authorization from the host club’s professional or handicap committee.
Why do I need to choose a home club?
- You can’t have a Handicap Index without being a member of an authorized golf club. A golf club is an organization of at least 10 individual members that operates under bylaws with committees (including a Handicap Committee) to supervise golf activities, provide peer review, and maintain the integrity of the World Handicap System. Members of a golf club must have a reasonable and regular opportunity to play golf with each other. They must be able to return scores personally, and these scores must be immediately available for review by fellow club members. A golf club doesn’t have to be a private club. It can be at a public course or even a group that is not affiliated with a golf course. Any authorized golf association should be able to assist golfers locate a club that fits their needs.
- Another option available is to create your own golf club. You can form a club with a minimum of 10 golfers. The club can be formed with business associates or friends, provided that they live in a close geographic area and play golf regularly together. The club doesn’t have to be tied to one specific golf course.
How long is my membership good for?
- Your UGA membership is valid 365 days from the date you join or renew. If you renew early, you will not lose any days of your membership, your current expiration date will be extended by a year. Memberships can be renewed up to 60 days early, you will receive a renewal notice 30 days in advance of your expiration date.
When will I receive my membership card?
- UGA Membership cards will be fully digital and will be included in your welcome/renewal email.
What is my GHIN number?
- You can find your GHIN number on your own in a few different places:
- Your Digital UGA Membership Card
- Your bi-monthly eRevision, which is emailed to you on the 1st and 15th of each month.
- Your UGA renewal email, which is emailed to you after renewing.
- USGA GHIN Mobile App. Click More at the bottom and you will see My Card.
- If you are still having trouble finding your GHIN Number, please fill out this form, or call the UGA Office at 801-563-0400
When will I receive my membership card?
- You can check your handicap index on the USGA GHIN app or GHIN.com or the yellow “H.I. Lookup” on the UGA homepage. All of these options will require you to login.
- If your membership dues are paid you will see your active clubs and Handicap Index. If you have not paid you will see the message “Your membership is Inactive.”
- If you believe you have paid your dues and are seeing this message erroneously, please call the UGA at 801-563-0400.
Is your website secure?
- UGA.org is safe, secure, and validated with a SSL certificate.. If you are still having reservations, please call our office at 801-563-0400 and one of our staff members will renew over the phone.
What is the difference between a USGA Membership and a UGA Membership?
- We often get calls from members who have renewed their membership with the USGA instead of the UGA. The USGA, or United States Golf Association, is the national organization that writes the Rules of Golf and Handicapping Manual, and they also conduct various amateur and professional competitions.
- The USGA supports organizations like the UGA by providing handicapping and tournament software, providing answers to rules and handicapping questions, researching agronomy in the various regions of the nation, and by growing this game that we all love. Your membership with the USGA also provides you benefits, but the only way to get your Handicap Index is through a state or regional golf association like the Utah Golf Association.
How do I transfer my membership to another club?
- Every member has the option to transfer their membership to a new club at no cost when they renew online each year. When renewing select the new club you would like your membership. If you need to transfer your membership after you have already renewed you will need to call the UGA at 801-563-0400.
- If you’re a member or joined a country club you need to contact your country club to be added to their club.
How do I sign up at multiple clubs?
- Although it is not necessary because your GHIN Number is universal, some members may want to join or renew at multiple clubs. If you would like to renew your membership at multiple clubs you will need to pay the $36 membership fee for each additional club you would like to join. In order to renew at an additional club, you will need to go through the renewal process just as you did at your first club.
What are UGA Member Play Days?
- UGA Member Play Days are non-competitive member outings open to players of all skill levels that provide the opportunity to play and experience some of Utah’s best private clubs! These are fun and friendly events designed to get our members out-and-about to meet new people and experience Utah golf at its finest. View the UGA Member Days schedule and find more information by clicking here.
How does my membership give back to golf in Utah?
- Your membership with the Utah Golf Association is more than just a Handicap Index. In addition to all of the member benefits that you will receive for being a member, your $38 annual dues help us grow the game in Utah. We are dedicated to hosting world-class championships, giving back to the Utah Golf Foundation, funding junior programs throughout the state, protecting golf courses and their professionals, and protecting the rights of golfers everywhere.
What is a Handicap Index?
- A handicap index is used to indicate a measurement of a player’s potential ability on a course of standard playing difficulty. Handicap indexes make competitions fair by allowing players of different skill levels to compete on an equitable basis. A handicap index is calculated by averaging a player’s best 8 of 20 handicap differentials, not their average scores.
- To learn more about handicapping and how it works, visit our Handicapping FAQ page.
How many scores do I need to post to establish my Handicap Index?
- New members may start posting scores right away and can even back-date their scores if they have old scorecards laying around.
- Players will need to post 54 total holes before their Handicap Index will be established. This can be any combination of 9 or 18 hole scores.
- Handicaps are updated at midnight once the number of 54 scores are posted. Once handicap has been established, handicaps are updated every night if scores are posted.
Can I post 9-hole scores?
- Yes, all 9-hole rounds should be posted to your handicap. When posting a score, you have the option to post a 9 or 18 hole score. When you select a 9-hole score you will then be given an option under the what color tee you played to select either the front or back 9.
- Per the USGA, prior to January 2024, one 9-hole score must be combined with another to create an 18-hole Score Differential before it could be counted for handicap purposes. Now, when a player posts a 9-hole score, the WHS will automatically calculate an 18-hole Score Differential for the round, based on the player’s 9-hole Score Differential and expected Score Differential based on their current Handicap Index, allowing the 9-hole round to be considered in the player’s Handicap Index calculation right away. As part of this change, golfers are required to play all 9 holes with a valid 9-hole Course Rating and Slope Rating instead of the previous minimum of 7 holes.
Can I get a 9-hole handicap index?
- Beginning on January 1, 2020, there will no longer be 9-hole handicap indexes as they are not part of the new World Handicap System.
What are the active score posting seasons for Utah?
- Northern Utah: March 15 – November 15
- Southern Utah: Year-Round (St. George Area)
Why is Northern Utah is inactive for score posting from November 15th to March 15th?
- When a member posts a score to his/her handicap, they are posting against the Course Rating and Slope of the given tees he/she played. These rating values were calculated by Course Raters during the peak playing condition of the course. When winter hits Utah, these playing conditions change considerably (i.e. greens are slower, rough height is shorter, less foliage, drives can roll farther, etc). These altered playing conditions will, in many cases, lower scores across the board, ultimately lowering handicap indexes to a value that cannot be played to during mid-season.
- Another way to look at it is to imagine what the Course Rating and Slope would be if the courses were rated in January. This is why authorized golf associations across the nation determine their respective inactive seasons that golf clubs in their jurisdiction must follow. Northern Utah’s starts on November 15th and ends on March 15th. As a side note for you snowbirds traveling to warmer climates, check to see if your destination is seasonal or year-round. Southern Utah for instance, is an area with a year round score posting season because of their beautiful winter climate. Remember, you must post rounds played at courses in states and areas that are active, even if Utah is not!