Why GHIN?

[ElWagonne]

My question concerns this: Why do a lot of tournaments require that you have a GHIN handicap and frown upon other systems? I have my handicap through a course that does not use GHIN and I like everything about it, but what I want to know is what's so special about GHIN? Some may say, just pay the extra $ and find a GHIN club, but it's not a $ issue this time...just a general inquiry

[Leftygolfer]

I didn't know any club didn't use GHIN. I do not know how other handicap services work so I can't say why GHIN is superior. I know ghin works if used correctly to let to help us compete.

[Fourputt]

My question concerns this: Why do a lot of tournaments require that you have a GHIN handicap and frown upon other systems? I have my handicap through a course that does not use GHIN and I like everything about it, but what I want to know is what's so special about GHIN? Some may say, just pay the extra $ and find a GHIN club, but it's not a $ issue this time...just a general inquiry

Because it is the only official handicap system in the US. It is administered and maintained by the USGA. They have spent years developing and tweaking the way that the system works and they have oversight systems in place to police members who try to abuse the system. Virtually every golf course in the US with any sort of standing has a computer that is linked to the GHIN system for score reporting.

[RemyM]

Actually GHIN is just a computation service owned by the USGA, it is not a requirement to offer valid handicaps. In order to issue an official handicap using the USGA handicap system your club has to be licensed to use the system either through your regional golf association or the USGA. The club is not required to use GHIN it can do it's own calculations.
http://www.usga.org/Content.aspx?id=25360

[RemyM]

Here is the second most popular handicap calculation software. It's used by several golf associations in the USA and offers valid handicaps using the USGA handicap system. It is also the service that issues handicaps in Canada.

http://www.golfnet.com/clients.htm