5 Reasons To Join the USGA

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The brand of the game has taken a hit in recent months. Our best player has been publicly humiliated, corporate decisions have affected on-course rulings, and tournament sponsorships aren’t exactly flying off the shelves (I know there has to be a stat around some where but there is no Tony Reali at ATG). So I’ve decided to create the anti-blogger post and not upbraid the USGA but instead offer common sense reasons to join the organization. Below is a brief introduction to the basics of what they do:

Who They Are:

The United States Golf Association is the national governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico.

What They Do:

• Annually hold 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open.
• Write the rules of golf.
• Conduct equipment testing.
• Fund research for better turf and a better environment.
• Maintain the handicap system.
• Celebrate the history of the game.
• Administer an ongoing grants program.

Alright, so here goes, 5 Reasons to Join the USGA:

1. It makes economic sense:

The benefits package are nice, especially at the first few membership levels. The USGA offers memberships starting at $10 and you get much more than $10 in value. To get a better idea of what is actually gained, you can find more here, however below is the list of what is received at each level:

2. The community needs support offline and online.

Have you ever gone to YouTube and typed in USGA? The top two videos are titled in the following picture (not to mention if you type in “U.S. Open,” tennis, swing dance, billiards and squash — everything but golf, occupy the first page).

I have seen some of the best commercials, most inspiring stories, and touching tributes created and conveyed by the USGA. It surprises me that none of it is online where the fans browse. Out of support for one of golf’s most honorable organizations, I decided to upload one of their Facebook videos (from their Fanpage). I was tired of seeing “Francesa’s  Rant,” so hopefully with a little YouTube optimization, golf fans will see this story:

3.  Exclusive offers that you might use:

I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it on this one this year, but keep them coming — the more the merrier!

4: Jim Hyler seems cool.

Jim is in the middle helping Gavin Dear of GB&I find his ball on the 5th at Merion Golf Club in the 2009 Walker Cup. /Boston.com

Jim Hyler just took the position as the President of the USGA. I went ahead and read his introductory speech; it is quality. This is a gentlemen who truly understands the game.

Favorite lines from his speech:

He starts out by quoting William Garrott Brown’s essay “Golf.”

“Not the fiercest rally at tennis, not the longest and timeliest home run at baseball, not the most heroic rush at football, requires a more rigid concentration of thought and energy, than the flick of a putter that sends the ball crawling on its last little journey across the putting green, when the putt is for the hole and the hole means the match. There is not a quality of mind or body – I will not except or qualify at all – no, not one, that life itself proves excellent, which a circuit of the links will not test.”

This I really like:

If the game itself provides an unparalleled experience, then it should be the goal of the United States Golf Association to do all we can to provide an unparalleled experience for all golfers.

Lastly, the guy is somewhat in the know if he is using “super” as an adverb. Even though it is a little played out in my circles, the fact that he even uses it in this context provides some slight cool points.

It is no small statement to say that the U.S. Open is super critical to the operation of the USGA.  It is our most prestigious championship and our most valuable and visible asset and branding opportunity.

I have high hopes/expectations for him.

5. For the little man

There is someone right now plugging away at a range trying to make it to one of golf’s greatest stage. The little man has always had a chance and many have proved they belong with the best.