New Club Guide New Club Packet updated 2018 | Page 4

Thank you for your request for information about forming your own golf club. This package will
assist you in forming a PWGA women’s golf club. Not only will you be able to enjoy the
camaraderie of a “club,” but club members can be issued PWGA/USGA Handicap Indexes
which will increase enjoyment by allowing equitable competitions. Just make sure that your new
golf club meets and follows all the requirements and procedures in the USGA Handicap System.
Forming a golf club is quite simple. The USGA Handicap System defines a golf club as, “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 USGA 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 available for review by fellow club members.”
Requirements for establishing a PWGA Golf Club
FIRST is the minimum requirement of ten (10) individuals. Individual members must be
eighteen (18) years of age or over. A Junior Girls Program may be established for
handicapping purposes only.
SECOND is the bylaws requirement. Included in this kit is a sample set of bylaws. The bylaws
are ready to use for your group. There are just a few blank lines which need to be filled in. Of
course you can always use the sample as a guideline to create your own bylaws, provided they
don’t get too far away from the sample. The club must also have officers who handle the club’s
financial affairs. A PWGA Representative must also be appointed to act as liaison between her
club and the Officers and Directors of the PWGA.
THIRD, a golf club must have a copy of the USGA Handicap System manual. This manual
explains all golf club requirements and is available free of charge from the PWGA upon
formation of a new club.
Once your group has met all three of the above requirements, you will be a golf club authorized
by the PWGA and by the USGA. Next, all a club needs to do is follow the procedures in the
USGA Handicap System manual.