The United States Golf Association (USGA) has expanded access to its Golf Handicap Information Network® (GHIN) mobile app presented by Sentry with the introduction of a 30-day free trial for golfers who want to track progress but don’t yet have a Handicap Index®.

“For years, we’ve heard recreational golfers express interest in a Handicap Index and curiosity about what GHIN has to offer,” said Tom Padula, USGA senior director of GHIN. “By removing the barrier to entry with a free trial of the GHIN app, they can now post scores, use the app features and get a sense of their scoring potential with an Estimated Handicap Range.”

Designed to enhance the golf experience for all players, the GHIN app's technology helps users manage their playing statistics through several features that include score posting, games, and course management features like GPS and putt break maps. With over 77 million scores posted on an annual basis by over 3.2 million active Handicap Index golfers in GHIN, the app is one of the most widely used game management apps available to players today.

“Overall, our goal with GHIN is to provide golfers with the best possible tools to track their performance and progress with a Handicap Index, while also playing fairly and equitably with anyone in the golf community,” said Padula. “New enhancements in the product reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and delivering exceptional value to our users, who can expect more innovation in the coming months.”

Both iOS and Android users can download the USGA GHIN app at no cost through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Once users create a free account and post scores from 54 holes of play (any combination of 9-hole and 18-hole rounds) they receive an Estimated Handicap Range (e.g. 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, etc.), and then the 30-day trial begins.

In addition to obtaining an Estimated Handicap Range, users on a free trial can post and track total score, hole-by-hole scores and other statistics, such as number of putts, driving accuracy and approach shot accuracy. At any point during the trial, users can unlock their Handicap Index by signing up for membership to their local Allied Golf Association (AGA) using their GHIN Trial Number and utilize the full suite of features the GHIN app has to offer. 

Since the advent of the World Handicap System™, the USGA has invested significantly in popular enhancements to the GHIN technology to meet golfer needs, boasting a range of new features, including:

• Score Posting (Total Score, Hole-by-Hole Score and Hole-by-Hole Score with Stats)
• Stat Tracking (Number of Putts, Approach Shot Accuracy and Driving Accuracy)
• Course Maps & GPS
• Enhanced GPS Features (Putt Break Map, Approach Shot Heat Map, Shot Tracking)
• Games & Group Scorekeeping
• Apple Watch Integration
• Golfer Lookup
• Handicap Calculator

The GHIN app is fully integrated with the World Handicap System and the Rules of Golf, which the USGA also oversees in its governance function, to ensure fair and equitable play for all golfers. More than 3.2 million golfers in the U.S. alone maintain a Handicap Index, across a wide range of playing abilities.

Download the GHIN app now on iOS or Android, and for more information about the app and its features, please visit www.GHIN.com.