GHIN icon
GHIN Mobile App: Comprehensive Review of USGA's Official Golf Handicap Platform

by United States Golf Association

4.8
IOSSports
The official GHIN mobile app provides golfers with USGA-approved handicap tracking, advanced GPS features, and detailed performance analytics. Designed for serious players seeking official handicap maintenance and game improvement tools.

Detailed Review

The GHIN mobile application serves as the official digital platform for the Golf Handicap Information Network, operated by the United States Golf Association. This positions the app as the authoritative solution for golfers requiring USGA-compliant handicap tracking and tournament preparation tools, distinguishing it from third-party golf applications through its direct integration with official golf associations worldwide. Core functionality centers around comprehensive score posting capabilities, offering three distinct methods: total score entry, hole-by-hole scoring, and advanced statistical tracking including putts per round, approach shot accuracy, and driving accuracy. The integrated GPS system provides detailed course mapping with enhanced features such as putt break visualization, approach shot heat mapping, and shot tracking technology. Additional features include multi-player game management, group scorekeeping functionality, and seamless Apple Watch integration for on-course convenience without requiring device retrieval. User experience demonstrates a professional interface optimized for on-course use, with large touch targets and minimal navigation requirements during play. The design prioritizes quick score entry and GPS accessibility, though some users report instability following updates. Real-world usage patterns show golfers primarily utilizing the app for live scoring during rounds, post-round statistical analysis, and handicap monitoring through the Golfer Look feature that allows searching other players' official handicaps. User feedback indicates generally high satisfaction with the app's core functionality, though recent updates have introduced stability concerns. Reviewers including steelhead5858 (April 10, 2025) and Singledigit5 (March 30, 2025) reported application crashes during GPS usage, though subsequent updates appear to have resolved these issues according to stshbe (December 27, 2024) and rdr945 (December 20, 2024). The development team demonstrates responsive update patterns, typically addressing compatibility issues within weeks of reporting. The application excels in providing official USGA handicap services and tournament-grade statistical tracking, though occasional stability issues following updates may temporarily impact reliability. Ideal for competitive golfers requiring official handicap maintenance, tournament participants, and players seeking detailed performance analytics through USGA-approved methodology. The app's authority in official handicap management outweighs periodic technical issues, which developers have historically addressed promptly.

Key Features

  • Official USGA handicap tracking providing authenticated handicap indexes recognized for tournament play worldwide
  • Advanced GPS course mapping with putt break visualization and approach shot heat mapping for strategic course management
  • Comprehensive statistical tracking including putts per round, fairway accuracy, and greens in regulation metrics
  • Multi-platform synchronization with seamless Apple Watch integration for hands-free scoring during play
  • Golfer Look functionality enabling instant verification of other players' official USGA handicap indexes
  • Tournament-ready scoring with hole-by-hole entry and real-time group scorekeeping capabilities

Why Users Love It

Official USGA handicap integration
Comprehensive statistical tracking

Perfect for: Competitive golfers requiring official handicap maintenance and performance tracking

Screenshots

GHIN screenshot 1GHIN screenshot 2GHIN screenshot 3GHIN screenshot 4GHIN screenshot 5GHIN screenshot 6

User Reviews

Taiterdgolf
Jan 16, 2025

Always wanted to play in a USGA Event. It has always gave me vibes and looked like a PGA Tour Tournament level of Pureness. I have been few shots shy b4. 2025 Goals ➡️ I will Qualify for a USGA Amateur Sanctioned Event sooner than later. ALL HAIL USGA Sanctioned Events🇺🇸⛳️ Always wanted to play in a USGA Event. It has always gave me vibes and looked like a PGA Tour Tournament level of Pureness. I have been few shots shy b4. 2025 Goals ➡️I will Qualify for a USGA Amateur Sanctioned Event sooner than later.

stshbe
Dec 27, 2024

Update: since updating to the latest app version the iWatch and iPhone now work well together as intended. The team addressed the issues and fix the problem in a very timely fashion. One cannot ask for more than that. Thank You!! The app has been working well up until yesterday when I updated my iPhone IOS to 18.2 and the watch app to 11.2. Now the app on the iPhone works well but when trying to connect the iwatch it just says searching and to start round on iPhone. A problem we had in the past. The app probably needs an update to sync with the iPhone and watch app using the latest IOS updates App stopped working again after IOS update Update: since updating to the latest app version the iWatch and iPhone now work well together as intended. The team addressed the issues and fix the problem in a very timely fashion. One cannot ask for more than that. Thank You!!The app has been working well up until yesterday when I updated my iPhone IOS to 18.2 and the watch app to 11.2. Now the app on the iPhone works well but when trying to connect the iwatch it just says searching and to start round on iPhone. A problem we had in the past. The app probably needs an update to sync with the iPhone and watch app using the latest IOS updates

Strazzola
Sep 11, 2024

Ability to zoom in on the green view would help read the map better! Zoom would be the 6th star Ability to zoom in on the green view would help read the map better!

808whacks
Sep 27, 2024

Would love to see the entire scorecard on the view scorecard after posting scores. Mainly so I could screen shot to share with others. Right now you need to scroll to the side to view all 18 holes. Edit- found share scorecard option. Looks great. Score card view Would love to see the entire scorecard on the view scorecard after posting scores. Mainly so I could screen shot to share with others. Right now you need to scroll to the side to view all 18 holes.Edit- found share scorecard option. Looks great.

rdr945
Dec 21, 2024

12.20.24 Update. The iOS 18.2 and Apple Watch 11.2 issue has been resolved. Quick response from the developers. Thank you. 12.14.24 Update: The iOS 18.2 and Watch 11.2 updates have broken the link between the GHIN iPhone and Apple Watch app. The phone app works fine. The Watch app ties to connect and then crashes. This is a step backward. The most recent release is significantly improved. It is stable and works very well with an Apple Watch. The GPS is fast and accurate. The green maps - heat maps and putt views are easy to use. Overall the app is much improved over the past few months. An area for enhancement would be to provide customized stat graphics similar to other apps such as Hole 19 or 18 Birdies. The app keeps getting better. Well done. Much improved - very competitive 12.20.24 Update. The iOS 18.2 and Apple Watch 11.2 issue has been resolved. Quick response from the developers. Thank you. 12.14.24 Update: The iOS 18.2 and Watch 11.2 updates have broken the link between the GHIN iPhone and Apple Watch app. The phone app works fine. The Watch app ties to connect and then crashes. This is a step backward. The most recent release is significantly improved. It is stable and works very well with an Apple Watch. The GPS is fast and accurate. The green maps - heat maps and putt views are easy to use. Overall the app is much improved over the past few months. An area for enhancement would be to provide customized stat graphics similar to other apps such as Hole 19 or 18 Birdies. The app keeps getting better. Well done.

App Details

Developer

United States Golf Association

Platform

ios

Rating

4.8

Last Updated

9/6/2025