Course Rating and Handicapping Golf is popular, in large part, because of its unique and equitable system of handicapping. Accurate hole measurements and Course Ratings serve and ensure the issuance of fair Handicap Indexes. The NCGA follows USGA principles and rates and measures each of its courses through the direction of staff and well-trained course rating committeemen. The Handicap System relies upon peer review whereby individuals have an opportunity to review the scoring records of fellow members. In order to accomplish this goal, the NCGA supplies regular clubs with a computer system on which all NCGA members can post their scores.
NCGA members receive monthly index updates that can be attached to plastic membership cards.
More than 60,000 members participate annually, starting with club and sectional qualifying through the championships proper. Competition is provided for all skill and age levels with golfers playing for the gold. Many NCGA tournament championships are conducted a Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills and Poppy Ridge. The NCGA also depends on member club golf courses for NCGA, USGA and CGA qualifying sites and championship locations. The NCGA is committed to developing individuals who are well trained in the Rules of Golf as established by the USGA and Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.