Join the SCGA

There are 3 ways to join the SCGA, all of which include a USGA/GHIN Handicap Index:

• Golf Club Member - Become a member of any SCGA golf club. Find a golf community that matches your style: EXPLORE OUR CLUB FINDER
• Associate Member - Join as an SCGA Associate Member and we’ll auto-assign a club near you. It’s fast, easy and inexpensive: JOIN NOW
• Start your own club - Do things your way! Check out how to get started quickly and easily: START YOUR CLUB

Yes, to maintain a valid USGA Handicap Index, you must be a member of a certified USGA “golf club”. Don’t worry! We make the process easy by automating the process (Associate Membership) or by helping your find a local group that fits your personality, ability level and style of play (Club Finder Tool). You can also start your own golf club if that’s more your style!

Both full and associate memberships provide you with “full” SCGA benefits, including a USGA/GHIN Handicap Index (posting scores via your GHIN number).

Full membership means that you are joining an SCGA-licensed golf club and you have “full” access to that club’s tournaments and benefits. Pricing will vary because each club determines their own club dues.

An Associate membership means that you are joining a SCGA-licensed golf club as an Associate Member, which provides limited access to that club’s tournaments and benefits. The club determines the limited benefits it sets for associate members. A chart outlining participating Associate Member clubs and benefits can be viewed here.

Your membership is good for 12 months from the date you join.

Aside from a USGA/GHIN Handicap Index, all SCGA members receive:

• Access to 100+ competitive tournaments for golfers of all skill levels
• 60+ non-competitive, member-only group golf outings at private and premier SoCal courses at discounted rates
• Monthly member-only discounts
• $150+ in rewards at golf retailers
• Subscription to the SCGA’s FORE Magazine

Your level of participation with your club is entirely up to you. The SCGA encourages golfers to engage with their club, as these local groups are fun, social and an essential part of the golf community. However, while your club will likely offer regular tournaments and/or events, you can play and post a score at any golf course with any group of people your choose.

No. While your SCGA membership includes a USGA/GHIN Handicap Index, it is not a membership to the USGA.

Of course! If you have any questions about your membership or need help renewing, give us a call at 818-980-3630. Our business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, Mon-Fri.

A Handicap Index is a number used to represent your potential scoring ability, which is always expressed as a number taken to one decimal place (e.g. 10.4). This number is used to calculate how many strokes you would potentially need to adjust your score back to par, and allows golfers of all skill levels to compete on an even playing field. While there are different ways to get your Handicap Index, the USGA/GHIN Handicap Index is the most universally trusted and accepted version. For more information on the USGA/GHIN Handicap System, check out this great article on our blog..

Step 1: Join an SCGA golf club! It’s fast and easy if you go here. Step 2: Once you join, the SCGA will send you your own GHIN number. This number is unique to you and allows you to “post scores” to your individual golfer account. You can post your scores by using ghin.com or the USGA GHIN App on your mobile phone. You’ll need to post three 18-hole scores (or any combinations of nine-hole rounds and 18 hole rounds that add up to 54 holes in total) in order to establish your Handicap Index, which will be revised/established the day after you post your third 18-hole score. Look on your mobile phone or ghin.com to see your updated Handicap Index. Please note: Posted rounds are NOT limited to rounds played with your golf club; you can post rounds from any round at any golf course, with any group of golfers. For a simple step-by-step process with video, check out our get started guide.

While there are different ways to get your Handicap Index, the USGA/GHIN Handicap Index is the most widely trusted and accepted version. Whether you’re trying to qualify for the U.S. Open, play in a local club event, or participate in a charity tournament, a USGA/GHIN Handicap Index will always be accepted (and other handicap providers likely won’t be).

You can post a score GHIN.com, on the USGA’s GHIN mobile app, or posting computer found in the golf shop at your local golf course. For more information and videos, check out our Quick Start Guide. To post, you’ll need to enter the course, set of tees, and your score.

In order to get a Handicap Index, you need to post at least three 18-hole scores. Your Handicap Index is updated the day after the submission of the third score. Go to GHIN.com or access the GHIN mobile app to see your updated Handicap Index.

Yes! You can post any scores you have saved, regardless of when you played.

Visit the SCGA World Handicap System (WHS) Hub (there’s also a handy chat feature on the site), consult your club Handicap Chair, or give the SCGA a call at 818-980-3630. We are here to answer ALL your questions.

Of course! If you have any questions about your membership or need help renewing, give us a call at 818-980-3630. Our business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, Mon-Fri.

Most SCGA golf clubs participate in the SCGA’s online join/renew program, so the quickest way to rejoin is to go toscga.org/renew and input your club into the search box. If your club appears, a “Renew Now!” link is listed to the right which will take you to your club’s renewal portal. If your club does not use the SCGA’s online join/renew program, the contact name for your club official should be listed. We recommend contacting him/her to renewl. As always, you can also contact the SCGA if you have trouble finding your club contact: (818) 980-3630.

• If you know which club you’d like renew with: go to scga.org/renew and search the name of the club you wish to join. If that clubs offers online registration/payment for membership, you’ll find a “Renew Now!” link next to their search result listing. Have your GHIN number handy so that your account can be transferred to your new club. For clubs that do not participate in online registration, but are seeking members, a contact point with email address and phone number is listed. Note: for clubs directly associated with a golf course facility, you can usually visit the course and ask about membership in the club.
• If you do not know which club you’d like to renew with: visit clubfinder.scga.org and search for clubs in your area that match your interests and ability level. Again, have your GHIN number handy so that your account can be transferred to your new club. If you need help finding a club, contact the SCGA at (818) 980-3630 and we’ll be happy to help.

Yes! You can keep the same GHIN number, no matter which club you renew with.

Your GHIN number remains tied to your membership for at least 2 years after your membership expires. If your membership expired less than 2 years ago, you will be able to keep the same GHIN number by searching our database and linking it to your reactivated membership. If your membership has been expired for more than 2 years, your GHIN number may be reassigned to a new member.

Like your GHIN number, your score history remains on record for at least 2 years after your membership expires. If your membership has been expired less than 2 years, or if has been expired more than 2 years but your GHIN number has not been reassigned, your score history will remain intact. If not, you’ll be given a new GHIN number and will need to repost any scores you have saved.

Yes! When renewing your membership through the SCGA’s join/renew portal, select the “Auto-Renew My Membership” option when checking out. Note: not all SCGA clubs use the SCGA’s join/renew portal for membership renewal, so this feature will vary by club.

To check if your club has online renewal, search for your club atscga.org/renew. If your club doesn’t appear, or does not show the “Renew Now!” link next to their name, you’ll need to contact a club official directly to renew. Alternatively, you can call the SCGA at 818-980-3630.

Of course! If you have any questions about your membership or need help renewing, give us a call at 818-980-3630. Our business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST, Mon-Fri.