TERMS
OF USE
WELCOME
USE OF MATERIALS ON USGA SITES
LINKING AND FRAMING
LINKS TO THIRD PARTY SITES
USGA GUESTBOOK
HANDICAPPING
USGA ONLINE CATALOGUE
PRIVACY POLICY
DISCLAIMER
OF WARRANTIES
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY
INDEMNIFICATION
SOFTWARE
CHOICE OF LAW
DISPUTES
MISCELLANEOUS
WELCOME
TO THE USGA! The
following websites are owned and operated by the United States Golf Association
("USGA"): USGA.ORG, USOPEN.COM, USWOMENSOPEN.COM, USSENIOROPEN.COM,
USAMATEUR.ORG, USWAMATEUR.ORG, SENIORAM.COM, SENIORWAM.ORG, USAPL.ORG,
USGIRLSJUNIORAM.ORG, USJUNIORAM.ORG, USMIDAM.ORG, USWAPL.ORG, USWMIDAM.ORG,
WAGC.ORG, WALKERCUP.ORG, CURTISCUP.ORG, [RULESOFGOLF.COM], GHIN.COM, GOLFJOURNAL.ORG
and STATETEAM.ORG (Each such website shall be individually referred to
herein as, a "USGA Site," and collectively as, "USGA Sites").
Please read the Terms of Use
Agreement ("Terms of Use") described below carefully before
using any USGA Site. Your access to and use of any USGA Site is subject
to these Terms of Use (including the USGA's Privacy Policy
described herein) and all applicable laws. By using or visiting any USGA
Site, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Use. If you do not agree to
the Terms of Use, please do not use any USGA Site.
The Terms of Use may be modified
or amended, or new conditions may be imposed, at any time. Any such changes
or additions will be reflected by an update of this posting. Please check
the Terms of Use periodically for such changes. Your continued use of
a USGA Site following the posting of changes to these terms will mean
you accept those changes. The USGA reserves the right to impose limits
on certain features and services or restrict your access to parts or the
entirety of any USGA Site without notice or liability at any time for
any reason or purpose, including but not limited to, conduct that the
USGA believes violates the Terms of Use or other policies or guidelines
posted on a USGA Site. Upon any termination of these Terms of Use, you
will immediately discontinue your use and access of all USGA Sites and
destroy all materials that may have been obtained from any USGA Site.
USE
OF MATERIALS ON USGA SITES.
The USGA Sites include content and materials including text, video, webcasts,
audio, photos, images, scoring information, trademarks, logos and other
intellectual property and proprietary materials which are either owned
by, or otherwise made available to the USGA. Except as provided in these
Terms of Use, no content or materials may be reproduced, republished,
uploaded, posted, transmitted, reproduced, distributed, copied, publicly
displayed or otherwise used, without written permission of the USGA.
The USGA maintains the USGA
Sites for your personal information, education, communication and entertainment.
Subject to these Terms of Use, please feel free to browse the USGA Sites.
You may download materials displayed on a USGA Site to any single computer
only for your 1) personal and noncommercial use and/or 2) legitimate nonprofit
educational uses, provided you also retain all copyright and other proprietary
notices contained on the materials. Except as set forth above, you may
not, distribute, reproduce, republish, display, modify, transmit, reuse
or use any materials from a USGA Site on any other website or otherwise
without the written permission of the USGA. Modification of any materials
displayed on a USGA Site is a violation of the USGA's copyright and other
proprietary rights and is strictly prohibited.
Unless otherwise noted, all
trademarks and logos found on USGA Sites are either owned by or licensed
to the USGA. They may not be used without the express written permission
of the USGA.
Images of people or places
displayed on USGA Sites are either the property of or used with permission
by the USGA. The use of these images by you, or anyone else authorized
by you, is prohibited unless specifically permitted by these Terms of
Use or specific permission permitted elsewhere on a USGA Site. Any unauthorized
use of the images may violate copyright laws, trademark laws, the laws
of privacy and publicity, and communications regulations and statutes,
regardless of whether any such use is with the USGA's permission. The
USGA neither warrants nor represents that your use of materials displayed
on any USGA Site will not infringe rights of third parties.
The USGA Site located at WWW.USOPEN.COM
contains live webcasts of the U.S. Open Championship. Use of any content
from such webcasts, except as provided in these Terms of Use, is strictly
prohibited. Except as stated in the license agreement accompanying any
software provided through or in connection with the live webcasts, you
are only granted a personal, non-exclusive and non-transferable license
to use such software, and unauthorized copying of such software is prohibited.
The USGA only makes such content available for your entertainment; we
neither warrant nor represent that your use of such content will not infringe
rights of third parties.
LINKING
AND FRAMING.
The following restrictions apply to all links to all USGA Sites from any
on-line, cable or wireless or other site, service or browser:
- Neither the USGA logo nor
any other logo or service mark of the USGA may be used to link to any
USGA Site, to any web page within a USGA Site, or to any website accessible
from a USGA Site, without the express written permission of the USGA.
- You may request permission
to use one or more of the USGA's "hyperlink logos" in connection
with providing a hyperlink to the front page of a USGA Site. The hyperlink
logos include and incorporate the USGA logo, the USGA Site-specific
logo (e.g., the U.S. Open "Event Logo," if the link is to
www.usopen.com,) and the text "Official
Website." The USGA's "hyperlink logos" are the only
logos the USGA permits unaffiliated and non-news third parties to display
on the Internet. Permission is granted subject to certain terms and
conditions. If you would like to be considered for permission to use
a USGA hyperlink logo, please contact linking@usga.org
and include the address of your website and the name of your website
operator (if different than the website owner).
- Sites, services or browsers
other than commercial sites may link to USGA.org without the written
permission of the USGA if such link is: (i) a "word" (as opposed
to a logo) link, and is (ii) spatially separated from, and not otherwise
associated with, any sponsorship, advertising, or other commercial text
or graphics that may be on the page and/or area containing such word
or link. Please notify the USGA at linking@usga.org
if you are linking to any USGA Site and include information regarding
the name of your website and the name of your website operator (if different
than the website owner).
- Any permitted link to a
USGA Site must be to the Site's home page. Except for limited circumstances,
links to internal pages within a USGA Site (e.g., a link to the Rules
of Golf Web page within www.usga.org),
other than to the home page of a USGA Site, are not permitted.
- No Site may be "framed"
by any other website, without exception.
- News organizations interested
in using USGA and/or Championship Logos should contact the USGA at linking@usga.org
and include the address of the requesting website and the name of the
website operator (if different than the website owner).
- The posting or creation
of a link to any USGA Site signifies that you have read the restrictions
described herein and agree to abide by their terms.
LINKS TO
THIRD PARTY SITES.
USGA Sites may include hyperlinks to websites operated by third parties
other than the USGA. The USGA does not control any such websites, and
is not responsible for their content, privacy policies, or for the collection,
use or disclosure of any information those sites may collect. Links to
and from any USGA Site to sites maintained by third parties do not constitute
an endorsement by the USGA of any third party site, content, or such site's
product or services.
USGA
GUESTBOOK. The
USGA Site located at www.usga.org offers
the opportunity to sign the USGA's Guestbook and post comments and communicate
with other users about the USGA and the game of golf. You must use the
guestbook feature in a responsible manner. In order to participate in
the guestbook feature, you must provide complete and accurate personal
information consisting of your name and e-mail address, and abide by the
terms of the USGA's Privacy Policy. Your message will be posted
on the USGA Guestbook web page, together with your name, e-mail address
and the date and time that you posted your message.
By transmitting any comment,
you are granting the USGA a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, and
irrevocable right and license to reproduce, prepare derivative works based
upon, distribute, perform and/or display such comment in whole or in part
in any form, media or technology whether now known or hereinafter developed.
The USGA has the right, but
not the obligation, in its sole discretion, to review, edit or delete
any comment transmitted in a way that: (i) violates any term of these
Terms of Use, or (ii) is otherwise illegal, offensive or inappropriate.
The display of any comment does not constitute approval or endorsement
of that comment by the USGA.
The Guestbook feature may not
be used for any bartering purposes whatsoever.
You acknowledge that any information
disclosed by you in any guestbook comments (e.g., your name or e-mail
address) may be read, intercepted or used by any third party, and the
USGA assumes no responsibility for such disclosures. You acknowledge that
by submitting comments to the USGA Guestbook web page, no confidential,
fiduciary, contractually implied or other relationship is created between
you and the USGA other than pursuant to these Terms of Use.
RULES OF GOLF [to come].
HANDICAPPING. By
visiting www.usga.org, you can
reach the USGA's Handicapping section. Since its inception in 1912,
the USGA Handicap System has made it possible for golfers of differing
abilities to enjoy fair competition. Today, there are more than 4.5 million
golfers who have USGA Handicap Indexes issued by golf clubs. It is important
to note that the USGA does not issue Handicap Indexes directly to golfers.
The Handicapping section
invites you to explore the various publications on the USGA Handicap System,
including the complete USGA Handicap System manual, and provides
information about how to obtain a USGA Handicap Index. The USGA Handicap
System manual and other handicapping publications contained in the
Handicapping section are copyrighted works of the USGA. Use of any such
materials is subject to the following Copyright Notice and to these
Terms of Use:
Copyright
Notice. No portion
of the content of any of the publications contained in the Handicapping
section may be used without the express written permission of the USGA.
You may download publications displayed in this section to any single
computer only for your 1) personal and noncommercial use and/or 2) legitimate
nonprofit educational uses, provided you also retain all copyright and
other proprietary notices contained on the materials. Except as set forth
above, you may not, distribute, reproduce, republish, display, modify,
transmit, reuse or use any publications displayed in this section on any
other Web site or otherwise without the written permission of the USGA.
Any reproduction (for purposes other than those noted above), modification,
distribution or republication of materials contained on this Web site,
without prior written permission of the USGA, is strictly prohibited.
The grant of this license is conditional upon your agreement to and compliance
with these Terms of Use. Please refer to the Terms of Use
for further information regarding restrictions concerning this Web site,
including information regarding permission to link to this Web site.
USGA
ONLINE CATALOGUE. The
USGA's Online Catalogue located at shop.usga.com
(the "Catalogue") allows you to order products ("Merchandise")
offered by the USGA. Northern Fulfillment, an independent merchandise
vendor (the "Vendor"), fulfills all Merchandise. By placing
an order with the Catalogue, you acknowledge that the Vendor is exclusively
responsible for the fulfillment and shipment of all Merchandise ordered.
The Vendor can be reached by using the contact information provided
below.
All orders are subject to product
availability. The USGA reserves the right to modify the price of any Merchandise.
In order to purchase Merchandise
via the Catalogue, you must provide complete and accurate personal information
consisting of your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and
credit card information and shipping address. (Please refer to the USGA's
Privacy Policy and the Online Catalogue's Frequently Asked Questions
for an explanation about how such information may be collected and used.)
You can reach USGA Customer
Service by calling (800) 736-3044, 7AM - Midnight, EST, 7 days a week.
You may also write to USGA Customer Service, 1000 Westgate Drive, St.
Paul, MN 55114-1077.
PRIVACY
POLICY. The USGA
recognizes the importance its visitors place on privacy issues. We do
not share personal information regarding our visitors with any outside
organizations. Any information you give us will only be used in accordance
with the practices described below.
This privacy policy statement
describes the information we collect about you from the USGA Sites and
how we use such information. Our statement also describes the choices
you can make about how we collect and use your information. By visiting
any USGA Site, you are consenting to accept the practices described below.
If you do not agree with the privacy policy practices described below,
please do not use any USGA Site.
We suggest that you review
this Privacy Policy Statement periodically as we may update it from time
to time.
This Privacy Policy Statement
was last revised in September 2001.
- WHAT INFORMATION DOES
THE USGA COLLECT?
- HOW DOES THE USGA USE
MY INFORMATION?
- WHAT ARE "COOKIES"
AND HOW DOES THE USGA USE THEM?
- HOW DOES THE USGA PROTECT
MY ORDER INFORMATION?
- WILL THE USGA DISCLOSE
THIS INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES?
- CHILDREN'S POLICY
- CONTACT THE USGA
WHAT INFORMATION
DOES THE USGA COLLECT?
When you visit any USGA Site,
our web server automatically recognizes your Internet Protocol (IP) address
as well as other information about your visit to the Site, all of which
is non-identifying and used to compile statistics about traffic to our
web site. In addition, the USGA collects the following identifying information:
- When you visit www.usga.org
to submit an on-line entry application for a USGA Championship, we ask
for your name, mailing address, telephone number, credit card number
and expiration date. In addition, we ask for information concerning
your golf background including whether you are an Amateur or a Professional,
the name and address of your golf club and your USGA Handicap Index.
Finally, if you are a minor, we request the name and telephone numbers
of your parent/guardian and your family physician. This information
allows us to process and evaluate your entry application.
- When you sign up as a USGA
member at www.usga.org, we ask for
your e-mail address, mailing address, daytime phone number, credit card
number and expiration date. This allows us to process and fulfill your
registration and to notify you of your registration status.
- When you post messages on
our Guestbook web page located at www.usga.org,
we ask for your name and e-mail address. Your message will be posted
on the USGA Guestbook web page, together with your name, e-mail address
and the date and time that you posted your message.
- When you sign up for a Handicap
Seminar at www.usga.org, we ask for
your name, mailing and e-mail address, and telephone and fax numbers.
In addition we ask if you are a PGA Member and if so, we ask you to
provide your member number. This information allows us to process your
registration form to ensure your space at the Seminar.
- When you make purchases
from our on-line catalogue located at shop.usga.com,
we ask for your name, telephone number, e-mail address, mailing
address, credit card number and expiration date. This information
allows us to process your order and to notify you of your order
status. We may need to contact you via phone, postal mail or email
if we have questions regarding your order. In addition, if you are
a USGA Member, we also ask for your membership identification number
so that you may receive the appropriate membership discount.
HOW DOES THE
USGA USE MY INFORMATION?
The information we collect
is used to improve the content of our web pages and to customize the content
and/or layout of our pages for each individual consumer. We may also use
the information we collect to occasionally notify you via e-mail about
USGA news and other announcements or changes to USGA Sites. If you do
not want to receive an e-mail from us, please e-mail us at usga@usga.org
or call us at (908) 234-2300 Ext. 1312.
If you visit the USGA's
Online Catalogue located at shop.usga.com,
we may use the information you give us to learn about your product
interests and purchases and to help us improve our site design and
your shopping experience. In addition, we may combine the information
you share with other demographic information. We use this combined
information to enhance and personalize your shopping experience with
us and to send you a USGA Catalogue. If to you do not wish to receive
a USGA Catalogue, please call 1-800-755-0298 or write us at USGA Customer
Service, 1000 Westgate Drive, St. Paul, MN 55114-1077.
WHAT ARE
"COOKIES" AND HOW DOES THE USGA USE THEM?
The USGA uses a feature of
your Internet Web browser called a "cookie" to assign a unique
identification to your computer. Cookies are files that your Web browser
places on your computer's hard drive. Your cookie allows the USGA to recognize
you when you return to any Site and provides you with access to account
information you may have entered on any USGA Site. We may monitor and
maintain information about your use of a USGA Site in a manner that does
not identify you. We do not and cannot use cookies to retrieve personal
information about you from your computer.
In addition, the USGA writes
cookies when you visit www.usga.org
to fill out an on-line entry application for any USGA Championship. This
cookie allows the USGA to recognize you if you return to the Site to complete
a USGA Championship entry application, thereby making your next on-line
application process smoother and more friendly.
The USGA also uses cookies
to improve your shopping experience when you visit our Online Catalogue
located at shop.usga.com. When
you shop at our Online Catalogue, your cookie helps us keep track
of the items you put in your shopping cart and whether you visited
shop.usga.com previously. Cookies
can also be used to save information on past purchases and other preferences.
This way you do not have to re-enter information upon every new visit
to shop.usga.com. Your cookie
allows us to recognize you when you return to this USGA Site and provides
you with access to your account information. If you order from us,
we use your cookie to monitor and maintain information about your
use of this USGA Site. If you have not ordered from us, we may monitor
and maintain information about your use of this Site in a manner that
does not identify you. We do not and cannot use cookies to retrieve
personal information about you from your computer.
You can refuse cookies by turning
them off in your browser. However, if you turn off cookies, we will not
be able to track your order or enable you to make a purchase from our
Online Catalogue. Nor will we be able to recognize you when you visit
a USGA Site or allow you access to your account information.
HOW DOES
THE USGA PROTECT MY ORDER INFORMATION?
When you register as a member
or order from our on-line catalogue at shop.usga.com, we offer
the use of a secure server. We use "Verisign" secure server
software, which is among the best software available today for secure
commerce transactions. Verisign encrypts all information you input
before it is sent to us, including credit card number, name and address,
so that it cannot be read as the information travels over the Internet.
WILL THE
USGA DISCLOSE THIS INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES?
The USGA does not sell, trade
or rent your personal information to outside organizations. We may compile
the information regarding what pages users access or visit and non-personal
information volunteered by the user and use it for statistical purposes,
but these statistics will not provide personal identifying information.
In addition, our vendors may compile such non-identifying personal information
on behalf of the USGA, however such information will never be shared with
organizations other than the USGA.
CHILDREN'S
POLICY
The USGA is concerned about
the safety of children when they use the Internet. Consistent with the
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act which became effective April
21, 2000, we will never knowingly request personally identifiable information
from anyone under the age of 13 without verifiable parental consent. If
we become aware that anyone under the age of 13 submits information to
us though any USGA Site, we will not use that information for any purpose.
www.usga.shop.com
offers children's merchandise for purchase by adults. If you are under
18, you must have the consent of your parent or guardian before making
any purchases on shop.usga.com
or on any USGA Site.
CONTACT US
The USGA welcomes your questions
and comments about privacy. Feel free to contact us for any reason, including
a request to be added to or taken off a list. Please send us an e-mail
at usga@usga.org.
DISCLAIMER
OF WARRANTIES. While
the USGA uses reasonable efforts to include accurate and up to date information
on its Sites, it makes no warranties or representations as to such accuracy.
The USGA assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions
in the content of any USGA Site. Further, the USGA does not warrant or
represent that the information contained on any USGA Site will be uninterrupted
or free of errors and/or viruses. You specifically acknowledge that the
USGA is not liable for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of
other users of any USGA Site and that the risk of injury from the foregoing
rests entirely with you. You use the USGA Sites at your sole risk.
The USGA makes no representation that the materials contained in any USGA
Site are appropriate or authorized for use in all countries, states, provinces,
county or any other jurisdictions. If you choose to access a USGA Site,
you do so on your own initiative and risk and are responsible for compliance
with all applicable laws.
LIMITATION
ON LIABILITY.
In no event shall the USGA be liable for any direct, indirect, special,
punitive, or consequential damages (including lost profits) that arise
out of or in connection with any failure of performance, errors, inaccuracies,
omissions, defects, untimeliness, interruption, deletion, delay in operation
or transmission, computer virus, communication line failure, theft or
destruction or unauthorized access to, alteration of, or use of record,
or unauthenticity of any content in a USGA Site, or the use or inability
to use a USGA Site or any content therein.
INDEMNIFICATION. You hereby agree to indemnify
and hold the USGA harmless from all claims, liabilities, damages and expenses
(including attorneys' fees and court costs) arising out of or relating
to: (i) your use of any USGA Site, including any content from any USGA
Site, (ii) the USGA's Online Catalogue; and (iii) any breach or alleged
breach of these Terms of Use.
SOFTWARE.
Software and other materials from USGA Sites may also be subject to
United States Export control laws. The United States Export control
laws prohibit the export of certain technical data and software to
certain territories. No software from a USGA Site may be downloaded
or exported (i) into (or to a national or resident of) Cuba, Iraq,
Libya, North Korea, Iran, Syria, or any other country to which the
United States has embargoed goods; or (ii) anyone on the United States
Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals (see
www.treas.gov\ofac\t11sdn.pdf)
or the U.S. Commerce Department's Denied Persons List (see www.bxa.doc.gov\DPL\thedeniallist.asp).
The USGA does not authorize the downloading or exportation of any
software or technical data from any of its Sites to any jurisdiction
prohibited by the United States Export Laws.
CHOICE OF LAW. These Terms of Use and any disputes
relating to these Terms of Use or any USGA Site will be governed by the
laws of the United States of America, the State of New Jersey, and the
Federal Arbitration Act for arbitration purposes.
DISPUTES.
For disputes involving the unauthorized use of any proprietary material
contained on any USGA Site, the USGA shall have the option and right to
seek preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, and/or any other relief
which is available to it, in any federal or state court of New Jersey,
the jurisdiction of which you expressly and irrevocably give your consent.
All other disputes relating to these Terms of Use shall be resolved by
arbitration under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association
("AAA") in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules.
The arbitration shall be held in New Jersey unless otherwise agreed by
the parties. The decision of the arbitrators shall be final and binding
upon the parties and be entitled to be entered as a judgment in any court
of competent jurisdiction.
MISCELLANEOUS.
These Terms of Use constitute the entire agreement between you and the
USGA, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous written or oral agreements,
proposals or communications with respect to the subject matter herein
between you and the USGA. If any provision of these Terms of Use is held
by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unlawful, void, invalid or
unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and
effect.
LAST UPATED: September
2001
