How do I get a golf handicap?

You are not the only one to wonder, “How do I get a golf handicap?” Many golfers do. Here’s what the USGA says:

"While the USGA® develops the formula used in tabulating handicaps, it does not issue them directly to individual golfers. A USGA Handicap Index is issued through licensed golf clubs that follow all the procedures of the established USGA Handicap System™."

"Licensed golf clubs," then, are your ticket to establishing a golf handicap. You can join a club or create a club starting with a minimum 10 members. There are three types of clubs:

A club located at a specific golf course
A club based on affiliation such as business, fraternal, ethnic or social
A club largely made up of people who joined because of a solicitation through newspaper, Internet, etc. The newest of the clubs, the USGA calls this type "golf clubs without real estate."

If you are unable or don't want to join a club at a golf course, or are not part of an affiliation-based club, then you could find or form your own golf club without real estate by finding nine other like-minded golfers. You do have to follow established USGA procedures. So you wanted to know "how do I get a golf handicap?" Find and join or form a golf club! If you are curious about what your handicap is, you can view the steps to calculating your golf handicap.

Handicap System (online) is a tool appropriate for all three types of clubs. Golfers can post scores, view personal scores and handicap as well as view club members' scores and handicaps.