Qualifications
The qualifications for membership are officially stipulated in the SPG Bylaws. Notwithstanding, the following summary is provided as a quick reference to clarify admission/eligibility standards, classifications and annual obligations.
Charter Member Designation
& First Year Dues Waiver
The First 999 SPG members (from the date such members applied) shall be relieved of any Dues obligation for either the first year of membership, or until the SPG Course Profile Database includes 1000 or more such Course Profiles, which ever is later. Additionally, a Charter designation caps the annual dues of such member at $35 for as long as they remain a member of the SPG.
* The Handicap requirement includes an additional stipulation that of the 10 scores (differentials) used to compute a USGA handicap index, at least one of which must have been shot in tournament play. This “TH” requirement applies to all international equivalents as well.
** Exceptions to the Professional or handicap requirements can be made in exceptional, unique, unusual and/or unanticipated circumstances. Examples include certain professional tour caddies, teaching pros, non-amateurs in the process of regaining amateur status, amateurs in countries without a uniform handicapping system (like Japan), members of the ASGCA (course designers) and golf governing body GA/FED/Union Officers.
*** Junior membership applicants shall provide the written signature of a parent or legal guardian assuming “joint & several” liability prior to being admitted into the SPG.
**** An “Associate” membership may become available in the future, upon Board approval, for other single-digit handicap players that would provide a limited array of benefits.
Class A Membership
Regular Members
· Professionals, Amateurs, non-Amateurs
· Age 18 or older
· Handicap under 4.0* (under 4.5 for non-USGA) or
· Full member of a Tour &/or National PGA or
· Equivalent, verifiable exceptions**
· Complete SPG Strategy Course Profile (see to right or link above)
· Agree to abide by the SPG Bylaws
· Pay $35 Annual Dues (see Charter Member waiver to right)
Life Members
· Professionals, Amateurs, non-Amateur
· SPG Board OK, SPC Champs, SPG Hall of Fame
· Agree to abide by the SPG Bylaws
· Pay $35 Annual Dues (see Charter Member waiver to right)
Senior Members
· Professionals, Amateurs, non-Amateur
· Age 50 or older
· Handicap under 5.5* (under 6.0 for non-USGA) or
· Full member of a Tour &/or National PGA or
· Equivalent, verifiable exceptions**
· Complete SPG Strategy Course Profile (see to right or link above)
· Agree to abide by the SPG Bylaws
· Pay $35 Annual Dues (see Charter Member waiver to right)
Class B Membership
Junior Members
· Amateurs, non-Amateurs
· Under Age 18
· Handicap under 4.0* (under 4.5 for non-USGA) or
· Equivalent, verifiable exceptions**
· Parent/Guardian***agree to abide by SPG Bylaws
· Pay $35 Annual Dues (see Charter Member waiver to right)
Class C Membership
Associate Members
Not available at present****