Some come to golf with a passion for the sport, but are not willing or able to commit to a club. That is no longer a handicap to having a golf handicap, one of the great equalizers in all of sports.
The Hawaii State Golf Association is one of many USGA sections now offering eClub. In a matter of minutes online — and about $30 — any golfer can get their own official handicap.
They don’t have to belong to a country club or a golf club.
They don’t even have to know anybody else who golfs. That makes it ideal for new golfers or folks new to the area. One of the attractions of eClub handicaps, beyond the ease, is that they are open to anybody, from the shy to the gregarious and all that is in between.
The eClub is affiliated with the USGA’s GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) system, now more than 30 years old. More than 2 million golfers, mostly in the U.S., use the system. Essentially, a GHIN handicap index allows you to compete on an even basis with other golfers, no matter how good or bad. GHIN also includes tournament scoring systems and an eGolfer service open to anyone with a GHIN handicap.
"You can keep detailed stats on your golfing rounds just like a touring pro/serious golfer working to improve your game," HSGA executive director Paul Ogawa says of eGolfer. "Everyone wants to improve their game and this is a great tool to use to see what part of your game needs improving."
The HSGA eClub provides HSGA membership and a GHIN handicap, good to play in any of its events, any of the USGA championships and recognized worldwide.
In its first year, the club now has 158 members — 138 men, 17 women and three juniors. Some live on the mainland and in Japan, and one in Germany. Howard Oliver, who won Hawaii’s Mid-Amateur Qualifier Tuesday, is a member.
Numbers were low heading into 2015. The HSGA began contacting people who had been inactive, to see if they were interested in eClub. Many were, and many more were interested in the ease of doing everything online.
The numbers are now "much more" than Ogawa expected so soon, and enough that the organization that earned the USGA’s 2010 award for "Best Growth for a Medium Association" is planning an eClub tournament before the end of the year.
The New York State Golf Association has eight eClubs going strong, with the simple intention of making it easier to golf. Ogawa is more specific.
"The HSGA eClub appeals to those that don’t want to have to join a club," he says, "yet can have a GHIN handicap to monitor their progress and support the HSGA in what we do."
Those interested can join the HSGA eClub on its website (hawaiistategolf.org). Fill out the application online and pay the annual fee of $30 (half for juniors). That’s it.
Golfers can post scores online and membership also allows access to the GHIN app, which provides instant access to scoring records. Now, you can also register for tournaments using the app. Handicap updates are emailed to you.
Then, you can play in a USGA national championship. More importantly, you have a legitimate reason for asking for a stroke a hole when you compete with friends.
