How Do I get A USGA GHIN - Not A Club Member

[ORT]

My father in law wants me to play in some one day tournaments with him this summer but I need a GHIN to be able to play. I’m not a member of a club and can’t seem to figure out how to get a GHIN. Is there a way to do it online?

[stevopagolf]

A number of public courses offer handicap services. You need to see them in person to sign up. You can post scores on line after you get your number. I have a GHIN this way.

 

[ORT]

That’s what I’ve read but can’t figure out which local public’s actually will do it. Is there a site that can help find local public courses that offer it.

[sailfishchris]

join an e-club

[stevopagolf]

If your near Philadelphia (I see the eagles avatar) I can probably find you a spot.

[ORT]

Yes I am in Pottstown. I tried signing up for GAP but that didn’t seem to help.

[stevopagolf]

Did you try Raven's Claw? I keep my handicap at Makefield Highlands in Yardley. Cost's me $45 and includes GAP

[ORT]

Do you have to go in person or can you do it online?

[stevopagolf]

You will most likely have to go in person to sign up, although they may do it over the phone, then you can post on line through the GHIN website. Hickory Valley, which is in the Pottstown Area as an associate membership special for $59.99 right now includes a reduced Handicap service, which would indicate you could probably just sign up for the service. Once you have a GHIN, you can renew easily each year.

[davep043]

If you're in the Philadelphia area, check out this page: The Golf Association of PhiladelphiaFrom the way II read it, you can register online. In my opinion, a better option is to register in-person at a local course, play that course regularly, maybe in a league, and get to know some other people to play with.

[Celeras]

Forgive the boomers (over the phone LOL), there's a million different ways to do it online without having to show up in person. TheGrint is probably the easiest nowadays, and also the cheapest. Download the app, pay the 19.99 for the handicap version (GHINs are always a yearly fee if you didnt know), and click the button to create. Done.

Most courses I've been to charge up to $50+ for a GHIN, but their days are numbered.

[Imp]

If these tourneys mentioned by the OP only have a GHIN as a requirement, then he's golden with The Grint.

However, The Grint (alone) will not help the OP if these one day tournaments are put on by State/Local organizations. He would have to do the Grint AND the local state or region handicapping service. Example: Living in Rhode Island, if I wanted to participate in any RIGA events, I would have to be a member of the RIGA too. Or Massachusetts MGA. Etc... The Grint only gets one a GHIN, but no other association.

--kC

[Celeras]

So then you use the GHIN from TheGrint and sign up for the aforementioned associations. Here is the link for doing so for the RIGA: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/1286475

And here is the link for doing so for the Massachusetts MGA: http://members.mgalinks.org/login.asp?cmd=reg1

Again all online. I'm not sure if you were suggesting otherwise, just clarifying.

[davep043]

Just to be clear, a player is only permitted to have one USGA Handicap Index. Consequently, it is important for anyone who chooses to join a number of state or regional associates to be sure to tell them of his existing GHIN number.

[Celeras]

Right. When you register with the associations you're inputting your existing information. Typically just the GHIN# and last name, but some also ask for e-mail as well.

So again to clarify for the OP: you can get the GHIN# from TheGrint, then use that information to register with any local golf association. All online.

[BB28403]

Siri, save thread.

[Metzexpress4]

You can get one online through Bergen County in NJ. Just enter a zip (07450) and courses come up. Just tried it myself and you can get all the way up to submitting payment.https://njsga.clubdashboard.org/

[livigolfs]

Did not realize this was the case thanks for the heads up