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Who is the competition for the GHIN system?


meenman
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Letter I just received from the FSGA:

Dear Amateur Golfers and Golf Professionals,

Please watch an important video from the Florida State Golf Association concerning YOUR handicap
Click here for Video - And please forward this message to your friends, club officials and golf professional
The Florida State Golf Association needs your help and support. The golf professionals at your club are being pressured to make a decision that may be bad for you, bad for your club, and that could cripple the Florida State Golf Association .  Your professional is being pressured to take away your GHIN handicap, and they need your support to avoid this bad decision that significantly affects you and your friends.  (And for the golf professionals that wouldn't consider abandoning the FSGA - thank them very much)
Recently, the North Florida Section of the PGA has virtually ordered your professional to take away your GHIN handicap and abandon the FSGA (The North FL. PGA is a trade organization for golf professionals only).  The "section office" wants to replace your GHIN handicap with another vendor so they can keep the money. Your professional is being bombed with relentless emails and is in a difficult position, with a potential conflict of interest. They need your support! Tell your golf professional that you want to keep your GHIN handicap, and have your professional tell the section office "NO"! The FSGA has tremendous relationships with golf professionals and it's shocking that their section office has launched this surprise assault on your handicap and your membership in the FSGA.
GHIN System - Facts - You are a member of the GHIN handicap system and the Florida State Golf Association. You have a GHIN handicap issued by the USGA and the FSGA - the organizations that represent amateur golfers. The GHIN system is the largest and most widely recognized handicap system in the world and used by 2.3 million golfers at 14,000 clubs in the US.  Your GHIN membership supports amateur and junior golf in Florida.
The "other" System - This "other" handicap system being discussed, was recently removed from the clubs of the North and South Carolina Golf Associations, the Arizona GA,  Southern Nevada GA and the Louisiana State GA (2014). Why would nearly a thousand clubs and more than 180,000 members leave? Is this a system your club should consider?   Is this what you want for your handicap?  Should your club turn away from supporting amateur golf, and instead support prize money for PGA section events?  Isn't your professional being pushed into a conflict of interest?   Wouldn't you rather keep your GHIN handicap, the largest, most respected handicap system in the world?
The Money Grab Why would the North FL. PGA Section push this system? - THE MONEY OF COURSE.  Don't blame your golf professional - it's the section office that's the issue.  The FSGA has the greatest respect for the golf professionals of this state, but we do not believe your handicap dollars should be used to increase the purses at golf tournaments for golf professionals .  We believe you would rather support junior golf, the First Tee programs and the rules and traditions of the game.  The PGA Section office represents professional golfers; their claims that they will now suddenly assume all responsibilities for amateur golf is just that - a claim.  Don't let down the thousands of junior golfers and amateurs that depend on the support of the FSGA.
Email and call your professional and your club's management and tell them that you want to remain on the GHIN handicap system. Stress that you believe in amateur golf, junior golf, rules education and all the services that YOUR membership and the GHIN handicap system supports.
-PLEASE...
-Do NOT  let your professional be bullied into a bad decision
-Do NOT  allow a decision that's bad for your club
-Do NOT  allow a decision that's bad for  amateur golf
-Do NOT  allow a decision to happen without your approval
-Do NOT  abandon your club's participation in GHIN and the FSGA
DO - what is best for you, your club and the great game we love - support your professional and tell him you don't want to lose your GHIN handicap or your membership in the FSGA!
You and Your Club Deserve the BEST Handicap System!
- GHIN is the largest handicap system in the world and used by more than 90% of the country (2.3 million golfers at 14,000 golf courses)
- GHIN is the only handicap service owned and supported by the USGA
- GHIN is the most recognized and respected handicap service available
- GHIN is the BEST system for your club to use to ensure accurate handicaps and excellent tournaments
- FSGA  Largest state golf association in the country
- FSGA 450 days of competition for juniors, women and men every year
- FSGA  28 Junior Tour Tournaments and 6 Junior State Championships ; Finest Junior Tour in the country -highly affordable
- FSGA  9 Women's State Championships
- FSGA  21 Men's State Championships
- FSGA  48 qualifiers for the USGA National Championships (more than any other organization)
- FSGA Scholarships to juniors and club employees ($50,000 per year)
- FSGA State High School Golf Championships and College Tournaments
- FSGA 500 volunteers that run competitions, guide junior programs and rate golf courses
- FSGA  $700,000 of directed support to local junior golf programs and First Tee Programs each year
- FSGA Course Ratings - 200 golf course a year to ensure accurate handicaps
- FSGA  Celebrating 100 years of service to golfers and golf clubs of Florida
PLEASE ACT - Call and email the professional, GM and staff at your club as soon as possible.   Forward this email to as many people at your club as possible, or carry a printed copy to discuss.  (not everyone at your club will have received this directly from us)
Thank you very much for your support.  We need it now more than ever.
Sincerely,
The Florida State Golf Association

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Chris, although my friends call me Mr.L

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When did you get that? Was it an email? I don't remember getting it, but I'll go back and look!

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

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Originally Posted by David in FL

When did you get that? Was it an email? I don't remember getting it, but I'll go back and look!

Received it in an email as I was walking off the course around 2 PM.

Follow me on twitter

Chris, although my friends call me Mr.L

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Originally Posted by David in FL

When did you get that? Was it an email? I don't remember getting it, but I'll go back and look!

Could be in your spam folder.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
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The other organization is GolfNet.   GolfNet serves over 2 million golfers and is 100% USGA compliant.  GolfNet serves ALL of Canada (exclusively) and every state the USA.

GolfNet has partnered with the Golf Association of Florida and the North Florida PGA with the blessing of the PGA of America.

It is sad that Mr. Demick would send out such a message.

If you have any questions, please contact your PGA professional or me directly.

Regards,

Jim Stracka CEO

Jim.Stracka@GolfNet.com

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Originally Posted by GolfNet

The other organization is GolfNet.   GolfNet serves over 2 million golfers and is 100% USGA compliant.  GolfNet serves ALL of Canada (exclusively) and every state the USA.

GolfNet has partnered with the Golf Association of Florida and the North Florida PGA with the blessing of the PGA of America.

It is sad that Mr. Demick would send out such a message.

If you have any questions, please contact your PGA professional or me directly.

Regards,

Jim Stracka CEO

Jim.Stracka@GolfNet.com

Ok Jim, what's "the other side of the story"?  What would the incentive be for the section to migrate away from GHIN?  If it's going to take $'s away from the FSGA, why would FL golfers support it?  Thks.

Originally Posted by meenman

Received it in an email as I was walking off the course around 2 PM.

Originally Posted by iacas

Could be in your spam folder.

Just realized why I probably didn't get it.  My GHIN handicap is maintained through the FSGA itself, not a separate golf club.  It sure doesn't sound like they're gonna change!

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

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I'll chime in because I use both. IMO GolfNet has superior HBH input and stat tracking. It's not even close, I only input scores into GHIN because it's so bad compared to GolfNet. The only reason I pay GHIN is the boneheads at my parents club won't accept GN to enter the member/guest. If not for that I'd be done with GHIN. Despite GN being USGA compliant the USGA owns GHIN and they want your money. They could issue a handicap number recognized by multiple systems.

Dave :-)

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Jim Stracka? I assume the creator of Strackaline. Please get out to CO and get the greens read, I'd love to use your app.

Dave :-)

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Most clubs, PGA Pros, and golfers do not know that they have a handicap provider choice.  GolfNet is 100% USGA compliant and that is all that matters.

The USGA does not care which service a club uses.   FSGA is expensive and wants to scare the clubs/golfers into staying with them.  GAF and PGA is better technology and better value.

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Originally Posted by Dave2512

I'll chime in because I use both. IMO GolfNet has superior HBH input and stat tracking. It's not even close, I only input scores into GHIN because it's so bad compared to GolfNet. The only reason I pay GHIN is the boneheads at my parents club won't accept GN to enter the member/guest. If not for that I'd be done with GHIN. Despite GN being USGA compliant the USGA owns GHIN and they want your money. They could issue a handicap number recognized by multiple systems.

Huh?  I was with GHIN for 22 years, and there is nothing "bad" about it.  I didn't carry a handicap to track stats anyway.  That 's a completely separate issue as far as I'm concerned.  For GHIN, I put my score in the computer at the course, or in later years online, and I get a handicap, accurate and accepted everywhere.  And I support the USGA and the Colorado Golf Association,  both of which I happen to be a big fan of.  Win-win as far as I'm concerned.

Rick

"He who has the fastest cart will never have a bad lie."

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Originally Posted by Fourputt

Huh?  I was with GHIN for 22 years, and there is nothing "bad" about it.  I didn't carry a handicap to track stats anyway.  That's a completely separate issue as far as I'm concerned.  For GHIN, I put my score in the computer at the course, or in later years online, and I get a handicap, accurate and accepted everywhere.  And I support the USGA and the Colorado Golf Association,  both of which I happen to be a big fan of.  Win-win as far as I'm concerned.

If you did't track stats then it's not important. GHIN has HBH tracking and it sucks. My GolfNet HI and GHIN HI are identical, accuracy isn't an issue. Surely you didn't miss that stat tracking is important to me if you took the time to quote my post. It's not unreasonable to believe that if the USGA wants to monopolize the market they should offer the best product. Currently they don't.

Dave :-)

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Originally Posted by Fourputt

Huh?  I was with GHIN for 22 years, and there is nothing "bad" about it.  I didn't carry a handicap to track stats anyway.  That's a completely separate issue as far as I'm concerned.  For GHIN, I put my score in the computer at the course, or in later years online, and I get a handicap, accurate and accepted everywhere.  And I support the USGA and the Colorado Golf Association,  both of which I happen to be a big fan of.  Win-win as far as I'm concerned.

That's kind of where I am too.  I like and support both the USGA and my state association, the FSGA.  Scores just go in via my smart phone app......remember back in the day when you had to write them into the log book at your club?!  Couldn't be easier now, and as you say, GHIN is universally recognized and accepted.

Absolutely nothing against GN.  Until this week, I didn't even know they existed......

In David's bag....

Driver: Titleist 910 D-3;  9.5* Diamana Kai'li
3-Wood: Titleist 910F;  15* Diamana Kai'li
Hybrids: Titleist 910H 19* and 21* Diamana Kai'li
Irons: Titleist 695cb 5-Pw

Wedges: Scratch 51-11 TNC grind, Vokey SM-5's;  56-14 F grind and 60-11 K grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Kombi S
Ball: ProV1

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There's nothing wrong with GHIN, but it isn't the only game in town.  My club "dumped" GHIN my second year of membership and it didn't impact me one bit (other than having to deal with ITGs that can only respond with "post your GHIN number").

Both are fine.  If the non-GHIN (Golf Net?) is less expensive, you should see that reflected in your dues.  I never played a "lot" at my club (my company arranged the membership so that we could use the facilities for client entertainment/instruction/meetings), and had to drive to the club to post a score, but that was the most of the inconvenience.  Considering I was there 3 days a week for work, it wasn't a big deal.

I wouldn't sweat it.

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You don't get a GHIN supporting the USGA, it doesn't come with membership. Here it doesn't come with membership to either organization. I am a member of the USGA and CGA and my GHIN fees are paid annually to our club aka any course that wants to take my money. My former home course didn't offer GHIN to anyone that's not a member of the men's/women's club. I don't know how much of the $40 I pay annually for GHIN service goes the USGA but safe to assume not as much as I pay for USGA membership. They're not giving me a free hat for my GHIN fees.

Dave :-)

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Just to clarify...

It's really not so much "GolfNet vs GHIN" as it is the Golf Association of Florida vs the Florida State Golf Association (2 associations in the same state that compete for clubs).

GAF (which runs GolfNet) partnered with North Florida PGA Section... and has been signing clubs away from FSGA (which runs GHIN).

The FSGA is trying to discredit the GAF and GolfNet (and confuse golfers) rather than provide a fair value to their member clubs.. which is why they're switching.

Many golfers don't understand that the USGA is the governing body of handicapping... and GHIN is just one vendor for the service. There are other vendors outside of GHIN that power a USGA licensed handicap service (like this site, which is powered by GolfNet). One being "better" than the other isn't really anything to do with it. They're all USGA licensed handicap indexes that are legal for tournament play.

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