What are the requirements for playing in a golf tournament, especially in regards to handicap index?

Question

Do you need an official index and how do you get it?

Answer 1

Most tournaments do not have an index requirement.  Championships at the state and national level do require a certain index to those aspiring to qualify.  The required index for such events will on the entry blank.

Answer 2

Most amateurs tournaments WILL require you to have a registered index/handicap.  However, you would need an index/handicap that is sanctioned by the tournament.

For example, in my area (Southern California), most of the local amateur tournaments require a SCGA (Southern California Golf Assoc.) index/hndcp; as they DON'T sanction or recognize a regular USGA handicap.

Most of your local & municipal courses will offer registering you for your handicap (index) with the sanctioned USGA organization, as part of the membership fees.

National Championship tourneys (Buick Open, et.al) are usually professional and as such don't use handicaps and require the players to qualify in order to participate.  They must also have their PGA card.

Answer 3

You can usually sign up for a handicap at any of your local public courses, or online (ghin.com or gam.org).

As far as tournaments, it depends on what you plan on entering. Any money handicapped tourney will require you to hace an offical index. If you just plan on playing scrambles and other events no handicap is required.