The Handicap Index is a unique and important component of golf.

It enables equitable competition and provides a benchmark for improvement for golfers across ages, genders and skill levels. It is a foundational part of the golf experience, and defines rituals like handicapping the scorecard before a group game, and "posting" the score after the round.

And therein lies the problem with most existing golf apps.

Existing apps can't meet a golfer's needs because they don't integrate with the World Handicap System™ (WHS™). Most apps either implicitly ask users to maintain a history of their scores in multiple places (their app and the WHS), or try to get around the problem by selling an unsanctioned alternative system.

At Leaderboard it has been our goal from the beginning to take a different path.

Today we're announcing an integration with the USGA which will allow golfers on Leaderboard to link their profile to their Handicap Index in the World Handicap System. This provides a few huge benefits to golfers who use Leaderboard:

1. One app for everything

Golfers on Leaderboard can play group games, keep score, maintain stats, use GPS, check in on golf friends, post to their Handicap Index, and more all from Leaderboard.

2. History, stats, and records in one place

Golfers can see their latest Handicap Index and Scoring Record alongside the advanced stats, records, and the history of golf activity that Leaderboard produces.

3. Handicapping scorecards

Leaderboard will automatically handicap group and individual scorecards at the start of every game based on players' Handicap Indices.

Here are more features this integration unlocks, including posting scores to a player's Handicap Index, viewing a player's Scoring Record, and generating an easy-to-share Handicap Index summary card:

Starting in late January the feature will be free for all users who maintain an active Handicap Index with an authorized golf club through an Allied Golf Association. New users will be able to link their Handicap Index during signup. Existing users can link their Handicap Index from the profile or settings page.

Read our full press release about the integration with the USGA here.