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FAQ

The following are some questions that are frequently asked about the NCGA, along with the answers to those questions. If you have a question and do not see it here, you can call the NCGA at 831/625-4653 or send an e-mail.

Questions

Membership

Holes in One

Handicapping

Rules & Competitions

Answers

Q: How do I become an NCGA member?

A: The NCGA is an association of golf clubs. You must join the NCGA through an NCGA club. There are two types of NCGA golf clubs: regular (affiliated with golf courses) and associate (no affiliation with a golf course facility). NCGA eClubs (regional associate clubs based via the Internet) were introduced in 2006 as a new type of associate club. An associate club is a group of 20 or more members who play golf on a regular basis and have a reasonable opportunity to play golf with one another. Associate clubs can be found just about anywhere, including work places, social groups, etc. If you want to find that is seeking new members, click here.

Q: Can I post my scores over the Internet?

A: Yes.  The NCGA/GHIN Handicap System allows clubs the option to have their members post scores via the Internet. Such an option is designed to fill in for those occasions when a golfer may not be able to post their score at the golf course at which they completed their round (i.e., rounds completed at dusk when the posting PC is not available). More on posting a score.

Q. How often are handicap indexes updated on the website?

A: A Handicap Index is issued through your NCGA club and only updated on the first and 15th day of each month per the NCGA’s revision schedule.  Therefore the Handicap Index via our web site is updated on the first and 15th of each month.  The initial screen of scores displayed is merely a snap shot in time and shows the scores that were used in your current Handicap Index calculation.  It literally captures the scores that were successfully posted toward your score file as of the monthly cutoff dates (the 14th and the last day of the month) at 6:00 PM Pacific Time.

A golfer added after the cut-off dates will see only partial membership information displayed on our web site along with an NH (No Handicap Index).

All active members must click on the CLICK HERE FOR RECENT SCORES link to see scores that have been posted throughout the month.

Golfers not active through a golf club will not have information displayed.

Q: What do I do if I have a change of address or a name change?

A: Contact your NCGA club. The club will change the address or spelling of your name and transmit the change. If your address changes, inform your club IMMEDIATELY. Your address must be current and correct in order for you to receive your NCGA membership card as well as the NCGA Golf Magazines and information from your club.

Q: Whom do I contact to correct an erroneous score that has been posted to my NCGA number?

A: All score changes, corrections, and deletions must be performed by a club official by making that change at the club computer. For non-electronic clubs, a club official must notify the NCGA in writing of the appropriate score change.

Q: How do I obtain my index every month?

A: You can view your current index and 20 scores (as of the most recent revision) directly through our website. Insert your NCGA/GHIN number in the box labeled “Check Handicap Index” to view your current index or register your e-mail address to have the Handicap Index e-mailed to you. Your e-mail address can be registered on the homepage of the NCGA website.

Q: What is the definition of a multi-member?

A: A multi-member is an NCGA member who belongs to more than one NCGA golf club. However, the player is issued only one NCGA number no matter how many NCGA clubs he or she joins. To ensure that all scores will be routed to your score file, provide all clubs with your existing or pre-existing number.

Q: I just got a hole-in-one. What do I do?

A: The entry form is available for download on the NCGA’s website.  The requirements to register your hole-in-one with the NCGA are that the course must be an NCGA course, and you must post the score to be eligible. Please refer to the entry blank for the other requirements.

Q: I didn’t receive my magazine. How can I get one?

A: Other than the Bluebook, we do not mail out extra magazines after the initial mailing because of the tremendous additional cost incurred. Please check with your club to make sure it has the correct address for you for your next magazine. You also need ensure they transmit the information. A Bluebook replacement may be purchased, by a member, at a cost of $5 but the magazine will not be mailed until the money is received.

Q: I cannot play in a tournament in which I am entered. How do I withdraw?

A: If it is an individual event and it is before the day of the tournament, you need to contact the NCGA at 831/625-4653 and officially withdraw through the Rules and Competitions Department. If you do not officially withdraw you will be considered a NO SHOW and will be suspended from all NCGA play for one year, including the event in which the violation happened. If you are withdrawing from a club event you must follow the instructions above, and in addition you should call your club official and notify them so that, if applicable, a substitution can be found. Only the club official can call in a substitution.

Q: Where do I find entries for the tournaments listed in the calendar of events?

A: The tournaments that are orange are NCGA events. Online registration is available, or you may enter through your club, or contact the NCGA office.  All other tournaments are not conducted by the NCGA. To obtain tournament eligibility information and entry forms call the club that is hosting the tournament.

Q: It is within seven days of a tournament and I haven’t received my information sheet and pairings. What do I do?

A: You should call the Rules and Competitions Department at 831/625-4653 as soon as possible. Staff will be able to tell you the information or send it by e-mail, fax or mail.  Information and pairings will also be available on our Tournament Central page.

Q: Does my entry have to be received or postmarked by the closing date to be eligible?

A: It must be received by mail at the NCGA office by the closing date or registered via online registration by midnight of the closing date.

Q: Are there any other tournaments juniors can play in besides the junior championship?

Yes.  In addition to the Parent/Child Foursome Stroke-Play and the Northern California Junior Players’ Championship, the NCGA offers a Junior Tour for boys and girls, ages 12-18.  The tour consists of six to eight 36-hole events on weekends in the spring and fall. Entry fees are $60 per event and include golf and lunch each day. Membership in the tour is required in order to enter. Membership in the tour also makes you a member of the NCGA if you are not already a member.

Q: Do I need to write more than one check if I am sending multiple tournament entries?

A: No. One check will suffice for multiple entries. But you must use a separate entry for each tournament.

Q: What is the NCGA points system?

A: It originated in 1970 as a vehicle that could be used to measure player performance in selected championships and assist the Association in selecting players to represent the NCGA in team competitions with other regional golf associations. Since the inception of the program, it has undergone several modifications and, while it is still used to select team members, its primary purpose now is to determine the NCGA Player of the Year and Senior Player of the Year.

Q: Where can I find a list of points tournaments and how many events are there in the program?

A: A complete listing can be found on the calendar of events that is furnished to every member club and is available on the website. Currently there are more than 100 tournaments in the points program. They include all USGA and NCGA championships as well as city and county championships and regional tournaments.

Q: How does a tournament become a points event?

A: Tournament sponsors or officials wishing to have their event recognized as an NCGA points tournament should contact the Rules & Competitions Office at the NCGA for an application form. Upon review, the NCGA staff will make a recommendation to the NCGA Tournament Committee for approval or rejection.

Q: Does a player have to be an NCGA member to compete in a points tournament?

A: The NCGA does not require it although some tournament officials do. However, only active NCGA members can earn points. This is especially important in four-ball events where points are awarded to both members of the team. Unless both are NCGA members no points are awarded.

Q: What age limit does the NCGA set for senior points tournaments?

A: A player must be 55 years of age or older to receive senior points and to be eligible for the Senior Player of the Year award. We recognize that some senior events set their limit at 50 years of age and we have no problem with those that do. However, if a player between 50 to 54 earns points in any senior point tournament, the player will not receive points on either (regular or senior) list. Therefore, the order of finish among players 55 and older will determine the distribution of points. For example, if a player 50 to 54 finishes first, the player would NOT receive those points towards the regular points list and the points will go to the highest finish among the 55 and older players.

Q: My Handicap Index has an “R.” What does this mean?

A: Please visit Section 10-3 of the USGA Handicap System: Reduction of USGA Handicap Index Based on Exceptional Tournament Scores for the answer.

Q: Why must I pay dues through each NCGA golf club?

A: For both practical and philosophical reasons.

From a practical standpoint, clubs generate monthly printouts of the current Handicap Indexes of their membership.  If your club schedules a tournament on the first of the month, you have all the handicap information you need in hand (or can import it from our software) in order to conduct your tournament.  Likewise your club would not have access to perform record maintenance on behalf of any golfers that are not on your roster.  Such maintenance as name or address changes, score additions/edits/deletions could only be achieved by their other club.  Your club also would not be able to generate address labels for mailings to such golfers via the means in place for those appearing on your roster.

Lastly, such golfers would be ineligible to represent your club in NCGA team competitions since they would not be registered under your club. The bottom line is more work for your club and less service or convenience for the golfers.

From a philosophical standpoint, the NCGA is an association of member clubs, not member “partial” clubs.  We never have and likely never will entertain the thought of offering services to just a portion of a club.

Multi-members do not receive a reimbursement of their multiple fees for the simple fact that there are real costs and real independent benefits for a golfer that is listed under two clubs.

Q. How do become a volunteer?

A: Visit this link for more information and to complete an application.

Q. How do I become an Association Member?

A: Association membership is available for golfers residing outside of Northern California. Visit this link for more information.