Comprehensive guide to 100+ national, regional, and state golf organizations across America
Allied Golf Associations
Covering all 50 statesPGA Sections
Regional professional organizationsGHIN Users
Official handicap systemPGA Professionals
Certified instructors nationwideThe major governing bodies and national organizations that shape golf in America.
Founded: 1894
Role: National governing body of golf for the United States and Mexico. Establishes and interprets the Rules of Golf jointly with The R&A.
Key Functions:
Founded: 1916
Role: Largest working sports organization in the world, representing 30,000+ PGA Professionals.
Key Functions:
Managed by: USGA
Role: Official handicap management system serving golfers and clubs worldwide.
Key Features:
Role: Dedicated organization serving left-handed golfers across the United States.
Services:
Every state has one or more Allied Golf Associations (AGAs) authorized to issue and maintain official USGA Handicap Index. These associations conduct tournaments, maintain course ratings, and serve the golf community.
The PGA of America is organized into 41 sections across 14 districts, serving 30,000+ PGA Professionals throughout the United States.
Organizations governing and supporting professional golf tours and players.
Premier men's professional golf tour in North America featuring the world's top male golfers.
Leading women's professional golf tour worldwide featuring top female golfers from around the globe.
Official developmental tour for the PGA Tour. Previously known as the Web.com Tour.
Men's professional senior golf tour for players age 50 and over. Formerly the Senior PGA Tour.
Organizations dedicated to promoting and organizing amateur golf competitions at all levels.
The USGA organizes 10 national amateur championships covering all ages and skill levels:
Manages World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and Olympic golf qualification.
Programs dedicated to introducing young people to golf and developing junior golfers.
Founded: 1997
Mission: Youth development organization building character and life skills through golf.
Operated by: PGA REACH Foundation
Format: Team-based golf competition for boys and girls ages 13 and under.
Founded: 2013
Partners: Masters Tournament, USGA, and PGA of America
Focus: Elite junior golf competition and college golf preparation.
Organizations serving specific demographics and communities within golf.
Formerly: Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA), founded 1991
Rebranded: 2018 (acquired by LPGA)
Many states have dedicated women's golf associations including:
Non-profit membership organization promoting championship golf among senior amateur players.
Most state golf associations offer championships in multiple age divisions:
Dedicated to promoting golf within the African American community.
USGA program providing resources and support for golfers with disabilities.
Athletic associations governing college golf at all levels.
Golf Since: 1897 (first men's event)
Largest college athletic organization governing 1,200+ schools in three divisions.
Golf Since: 1952 (first championship)
Governs athletic programs at 250+ smaller colleges and universities.
Golf Since: 1959 (first championship)
Governs 500+ 2-year community colleges in three divisions.
Professional associations serving golf course owners, superintendents, and industry professionals.
Mission: Improving communities through the game of golf and empowering members.
Members: Owners, operators, and general managers of daily-fee, semi-private, private, and resort courses.
Contact: 800-933-4262
The USGA and R&A jointly govern equipment conformity standards.
Professional association of golf course designers and architects.
How to join a golf association and the benefits of membership.
Only Allied Golf Associations can provide and maintain official USGA GHIN handicaps. Your Handicap Index allows fair competition with golfers of all skill levels.
1. Through a Local Golf Club
Contact your regular golf club. Most clubs are affiliated with their state golf association and can process your membership directly.
2. eClub / Direct Membership
Don't play regularly at one course? Join directly through your state golf association's eClub option. The association will auto-assign a club near you.
3. Start Your Own Club
Play regularly with a group from your office, church, or golf league? Start your own "club without real estate" with a minimum of 10 people.
Visit the USGA's Allied Golf Associations directory to find the association serving your area.
The USGA (United States Golf Association) is the governing body of golf, establishing and interpreting the Rules of Golf jointly with The R&A. The USGA conducts 14 national championships, manages the handicap system, and tests equipment for conformity.
The PGA of America is a professional organization representing 30,000+ golf professionals (instructors, club professionals, and industry workers). The PGA conducts the PGA Championship, certifies golf professionals, and operates through 41 regional sections.
In summary: USGA governs the rules and amateur game; PGA of America supports golf professionals and their careers.
Yes. Allied Golf Associations are the only organizations authorized to issue and maintain official USGA Handicap Index numbers through the GHIN system. You cannot get a legitimate USGA handicap without joining through a golf club or state golf association.
To get a handicap, you can join through your local golf club (most clubs are affiliated with their state association) or join directly through your state golf association's eClub membership option.
Membership fees vary by state association but typically range from $55 to $85 annually for individual membership. For example:
This fee includes your official USGA Handicap Index, tournament eligibility, GHIN app access, and additional benefits like Golf Digest subscription and exclusive discounts.
The World Handicap System (WHS) was implemented in 2020, unifying six different handicap systems previously used around the world into a single global system. It's jointly governed by the USGA and The R&A.
WHS enables golfers of different abilities to play and compete fairly in any format, on any course, anywhere in the world. The system encompasses both the Rules of Handicapping and the Course Rating System.
In the United States, Allied Golf Associations administer WHS handicaps through the GHIN system, serving over 2 million golfers.
Allied Golf Associations (AGAs) are regional or state golf associations authorized by the USGA to serve golfers in specific geographic areas. The USGA collaborates with 57 Allied Golf Associations covering all 50 states.
AGAs are the only organizations authorized to issue and maintain official USGA Handicap Index numbers. They also conduct tournaments, rate golf courses, provide rules education, and serve the local golf community.
Examples include the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA), Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA), and Texas Golf Association.
The PGA of America is organized into 41 sections across 14 districts nationwide. The Association originally began with 7 sections in 1916 and has grown to serve 30,000+ PGA Professionals today.
Each section conducts regional programs, tournaments, and qualifying events for both professionals and amateurs throughout their geographic areas. Sections also provide professional development, education, and networking opportunities for PGA members.
Examples include Metropolitan (New York), Southern California, Illinois, Michigan, Carolinas, and Gateway (Missouri/Illinois) sections.
Several excellent youth golf programs serve young golfers ages 5-18:
Yes, many organizations serve women golfers:
LPGA Amateur Golf Association (formerly Executive Women's Golf Association/EWGA) is the largest with 17,500+ members across 130+ chapters worldwide, hosting 7,500+ events annually.
State Women's Golf Associations exist in many states including Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, and others.
Additionally, all state golf associations and Allied Golf Associations serve both men and women golfers, conducting women's championships and events.
Golf association members have access to numerous tournament opportunities:
State Association Events: Most associations administer 80+ tournaments and 40,000+ competitive rounds annually, including stroke play, match play, four-ball, and team events for all skill levels.
USGA Championships: Members can qualify for 10 national amateur championships including U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur (25+), U.S. Senior Amateur (55+), U.S. Women's Amateur, and others.
Age-Specific: Junior (under 18), Regular (all ages), Senior (55+), Super Senior (65+), and Legends (75+) divisions available.
Formats: Individual stroke play, match play, two-person four-ball, better ball, team competitions, and social tournaments.
Find your Allied Golf Association through the USGA's official directory.
Every state has at least one Allied Golf Association. Some larger states have multiple associations serving different regions (e.g., Northern California Golf Association and Southern California Golf Association).
You can also use the complete state-by-state directory on this page above to find your state's golf association with direct links to their websites.
Most state associations can be reached by phone during business hours (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday) for assistance with membership, handicaps, and tournaments.
Last updated on November 24, 2025