The USGA is committed to providing programs and events that foster a supportive and safe environment for all who participate.
The USGA Safeguarding Program is a framework of policies, rules of conduct and guidelines aimed at protecting athletes, including minor athletes, involved in the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) and other USGA Teams from physical, emotional and sexual abuse or misconduct. The Safeguarding Program sets standards of behavior for all participants involved in the USNDP and USGA Teams, as well as information and resources about how to prevent, detect, and report incidents of abuse or misconduct.
USGA Safeguarding Program is based on the policies developed by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Unlike other national governing bodies, USGA is not subject to the jurisdiction and authority of the U.S. Center for SafeSport or the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement. However, the USGA Safeguarding Program adopts many of the same policies and procedures.
USGA Safeguarding Program Policies is the governing document for the USGA Safeguarding Program. The Safeguarding Policies apply to Adult Participants and provide the following:
Sets standards of conduct and boundaries for interactions between Adult Participants and Minor Athletes through the Prevention Policies
Sets forth the required SafeSport trainings of Adult Participants under the Education & Training Policy
Establishes the background screenings and process required by adults who have regular contact with or authority over minor athletes involved in USNDP or USGA Teams through the Background Screening Policy
Provides guidelines and mechanisms for how to report Safeguarding Policies violation, and outlines the process USGA will follow upon receipt of a reported violation through its Reporting and Responding Policy. Mandates reporting of Safeguarding Policies violations by all Adult Participants
Defines the categories of abuse and misconduct under the Prohibited Conduct list