The USGA Handicap System is specifically designed to be put in place and administered by the membership, for the membership. To comply with the USGA Handicap System, a club must take steps to appoint a Handicap Committee to ensure the integrity of the handicaps it issues. The Committee should be made up of co-chairmen from each the men's and women's groups, board members at large, or Tournament Committee members. These posts are enjoyable, but demand vigilance, and are to be held by volunteer golfers who feel dutiful in carrying out policies that ensure fairness and accuracy. We strongly believe that to put any member of the Pro Shop staff, even the Head Golf Professional, in the place of Handicap Chairman, is to directly undermine their relationship with the members and the golfing public with regard to handicapping.
Golf professionals are in a position of service.
They should be looked upon as knowledgeable advisors. But to make them responsible for the maintenance of the USGA Handicap System is inappropriate. A committee of members, however, appointed by fellow members, must take the time and have the ability to author and carry out handicapping policies effectively, even though these policies may prove a bit unpopular at times. Rules of Golf apply to them equally, as do rules of handicapping. For the USGA Handicap System to relate fairly to all golfers, Committees must be firm.