Delaware Women’s Golf Association

Preserving & Expanding Women’s Golf in Delaware since 1962

Membership registration for DWGA 2024 is now open!  We appreciate your patience while we continue to make improvements to the DWGA website.  

FAQs

These are some of the most frequently asked questions by our members.

Event Registration

How do I register for a DWGA event?
You must be a DWGA member to be eligible to register for any DWGA event. All event registrations must be done online.  No mail in registrations will be accepted. Log into the Members Area and look for the 2023 Tournament & Event Registration link in the blue menu box along the left side.  Navigate to the event of interest and look for the Register Online button. 

How do I know if my registration has been accepted?
You will receive an on screen acknowledgement as well as a confirmation email.  In addition, your name will be added real time to the Event Registrant list which can be found on the event registration page using the red pill button labeled "Registration List".

What if I don't like using my credit card for online activities?
If you are uncomfortable using your credit card online, we suggest finding a friend who will use their credit card for your registration.  Reimbursement should be made directly to that person.  If you are unable to find a friend willing to help with this, please contact the DWGA Tournaments using the Contact form on this website.  

For Members Only Tournaments

You will receive an email acknowledgement from the website as soon as your tournament registration has been entered.  In addition, a list of all registrants is updated automatically. Look for the red button " Registration List" to be sure your name has been added to the list.  If you do not receive a confirmation email or see your name added to the list, please contact "Tournaments" using the contact form on the dwga.org website.

For Member Guest Tournaments
You will receive an email acknowledgement advising your registration is being validated.  The Tournament Chairman will confirm your guest club membership and handicap information before any charges are made to your credit card.  This may take several days.  Upon validation, your pending registration will be completed and you will receive a second email advising of this completion and your team will be added to the tournament registration list.  Look for the red button " Registration List" to be sure your name has been added to the list. If there is a problem with information validation, you will be contacted by the Tournament Chair.  If you do not receive any email information or see your name added to the list, please contact "Tournaments" using the contact form on the dwga.org website.

How do I cancel my tournament registration?
Please refer to Tournament Policies listed under "Events" on our home page.  If your request is within the guidelines of our Refund Policy, send your request via email to "Tournaments" in our "Contact Us" form.

Handicapping

As of January 1, 2020, the World Handicap System (WHS) launched and provided golfers with a unified and more inclusive handicapping system. Golfers may obtain a USGA handicap index from an authorized golf club or association which is licensed to use the USGA Handicap System.

DWGA membership is contingent upon an applicant possessing and maintaining a valid United States Golf Association (USGA) "handicap index.” The handicap index is "a measurement of a player's potential ability on a course of standard playing difficulty," according to the USGA. A golfer uses their handicap index to determine their “course handicap” which is a handicap at a particular course, based on the difficulty of the tees played at that course. The primary reason for a handicap index is to provide a way for golfers of different abilities to play and compete on a relatively even basis at any course.

NOTE: Before applying for membership, golfers should contact their Club Professional and confirm that the Golf Club has paid the annual DWGA Club membership dues, provided the Club’s Open Days Program information, and has activated the golfers handicap index. GHIN is the only handicapping system now being used.

    Junior Golfers

    How can I register for a DWGA event if I am not old enough to join the DWGA?

    There is no membership fee for Junior Golfers wishing to join the DWGA.  If you are a junior golfer wishing to participate in a DWGA tournament, please contact Membership using the Contact Form found on our website. 

    Members Area

    How do I get into the Members Area?
    Once you have joined as a DWGA member, you will receive an email containing your password and instructions for logging into the Members Area of our website.

    What do I do if I have not received an email containing my login password?
    First check your email spam folder.  If there is nothing there, contact the DWGA Membership by using the Contact area on the HomePage.

    What is in the Members Area?
    The Member's Area is the next level of the website, which can only be access by paid members. There is a Yellow Button on the Home Page that says Member's Login. 

    Here the current DWGA By-Laws, financials, membership meeting minutes and photos are posted in the menu box along the left edge of the Members Home Page.

    Tournament Registration is available here for members only.  We only accept online registration using your credit card.

    The Members Directory, with complete contact information, aids in finding your new playing partner.

    Membership Renewal Timeline

    Following are the important dates to know as we prepare for the 2023 season.

    Now to February 15 - March 14

    There are two requirements for membership in the DWGA; home club membership and a valid, current USGA handicap index. To be sure you will have no problems renewing your membership on February 15, you can check these two requirements in advance. New members may join starting March 15th from the Home page. Click on Membership in the blue horizontal menu at the top of the page and scroll down to Join DWGA and click. 
    Renewing members may renew begining on February 15th.  To renew your membership you must log into the MEMBER'S AREA and follow the instructions completely. Click on Membership in the blue horizontal menu at the top of the page and scroll down to Join DWGA and click.

    1. Has your club renewed their DWGA membership for 2023.
    2. Has your USGA Handicap Index been registered for 2023. 
      • If the answers to (1) and (2) are yes, you are all set to renew your DWGA membership.
      • If the answer to (1) and/or (2) is no, you will not be able to renew your DWGA membership until the requirement/s is met.  Contact your Pro Shop to learn what you can do to help resolve the issue.
    • To learn more about checking your eligibility, take a moment to review the following video.     

    February 15th -  DWGA membership renewal begins and new members may also begin to sign up. The end date for both will be Aug 1st.

    Beginning February 15, you may renew your DWGA membership.  If you were a member in 2021, please follow the membership renewal process noted below.  Please do not sign up as a new member.  Before beginning, check your club membership and handicap index status, and what handicap system your club will use. See above.

    To renew,

    • Log into the Members Area of the DWGA website. 
    • A new screen will be presented giving you the option of renewing your membership now or Later.
    • Review your profile information for accuracy and proceed to PAYMENT. 
    • You will receive an email advising you of the pending status of your membership. 
    • The Membership Chairman will validate your membership renewal request.  This process may take several days.
    • You will receive a second email upon validation of your membership, your name will be added to the 2023 membership list
    • If, for some reason, there is a problem validating your membership renewal, the Membership Chairman will contact you.
    • For more information on renewing your membership, take a minute to review the following video.   

    It is very important for DWGA Delegates to attend the Opening Meeting which will be held at Maple Dale on April 1st.  

    On April 1st registration opens for all other DWGA events & tournaments.

    Open Days

    What are Open Days?
    Our member clubs offer play dates for DWGA members at a reduced fee.  The schedule for current Open Days can be found under our Programs listing.

    How do I sign up for Open Days?
    Call the member club in advance to get an available tee time.  Make sure to identify yourself as a DWGA member.

    Do I need to have a DWGA membership card?
    No, we have discontinued the use of DWGA membership cards.  Your DWGA membership can be verified by the Open Days host club by looking on our website, dwga.org under Membership.

    Pace Of Play

    The single biggest complaint from DWGA members is the slow pace of play during a tournament.  Whether you are playing in a very serious tournament like the Women's Amateur or a fun event like Opening Day, pace of play can make or break the enjoyment of your outing.  If one player squanders just 30 seconds per hole, which isn't hard to do, that's an extra 9 minutes per round.  If everyone in the foursome does this, it is the difference between a 4-1/2 hour vs a 5 hour round.  

    Everyone wants to have fun but finish "While We're Young".  Following are some tips for improving pace of play.

    1. Play Ready Golf - There is no need to debate, particularly when you are in the fairway, who is furthest out.  The first person who is ready should hit.

    2. Get ready to play - If you aren't hitting, get ready to play.  Know where and how far you want to hit the ball when it is your turn to swing.

    3. Don't wait in the cart - Don't wait in the cart for your partner.  Drop her off, go to your ball and get ready to hit. If you have to leave the cart, that's fine, but take some clubs and start walking to your ball.  Nothing wastes more time than sitting in the cart and watching someone hit the ball.

    4. Hit a provisional - When in doubt about the safety of your ball, declare and hit a provisional.

    5. Time spent looking for a ball - Be aware of how much time you spend looking for balls in the woods.  Too many amateurs end up traipsing through the trees in search of a ball that will provide an unplayable lie even if found.  Don't be afraid to declare a ball lost.  Unfortunately, it's part of the game.

    6. Scorecards - Fill out the scorecard on the next tee box, not beside the green where you just putted.

    7. Avoid trips to the cart - Take every precaution to avoid walking back to the cart.  Keep an extra ball in your pocket, bring more than one club, particularly if you are chipping and have a variety of choices.  Golf is a thinking woman's game and using your head before you get to the ball will speed up play.

    8.  Don't mark every putt - If you have a two-footer or something just outside the leather, go ahead and knock the ball in the hole.  You shouldn't rush, but conversely, there is no need to slave over every putt as if The Masters is at stake.

    9. Range finders - Using distance finders is fine as long as you take some clubs with you.  Don't waste time shooting a distance and then walking back to the cart to get clubs.

    10. Cell phones - Use of cell phones in a tournament is strictly prohibited.

    Partner List

    For all team events, a Partners List will be available for your convenience.  To find this go to the event registration page and look for the Partners link. 

    If you want to sign up for an event and don't have a partner, we suggest you check the "looking for a partner" list for that event.  If a suitable partner is found on the list proceed to registration for that event and select that persons name from the drop down Partners list.  Once the registration process is complete, that person's name will no longer appear on the Partners List. 

    If no one is available on the Partners List you may add your name to that list by using the Partner Signup button for that event.

    Passwords and Log In

    How do I log in for the first time?

    If you have registered for your membership online using your credit card, you will receive an email confirming your registration along with a system generated password and instructions of how to log into the Members Area of the website.  If you have joined through your club ladies golf association, you will receive the same confirmation email with your password as soon as your eligibility requirements have been verified.

    What if I didn't get an email confirmation?

    Contact the Membership Chair by using the Contact box found on our website.  An email will be resent.

    Need to change your password? Click on the link below.

    How can I change my password 

     

    Rules Changes

    Waiting List

    If an event has been sold out a Waiting List button will automatically appear.   You may add your name to that Waiting List following the directions shown.  If a space becomes available, each person will be contacted in turn by the event director. If you wish to be deleted from the Waiting List, please contact event director.

    Member Log-in