ASG
ASG is the abbreviation for the Association Suisse de Golf, the Swiss golf federation.
The ASG is the umbrella organisation of Swiss golf and thus the counterpart of the German Golf Association (DGV) in Germany and the ÖGV in Austria. The federation represents the interests of the affiliated clubs and their members, organises championships and looks after the development of the sport in the country. As Switzerland is a comparatively small golfing country, one focus is on promoting new facilities and young talent. Today the federation operates under the name Swiss Golf, but the abbreviation ASG from the French name of the federation has remained in common usage.
For you as a golfer the ASG becomes relevant mainly in connection with your handicap. In Switzerland the federation manages the handicap data of club members, similar to the DGV service in Germany. If you play on a Swiss facility your German handicap is usually recognised, because the handicap systems in Europe are based on the same foundations. An example: you travel to Switzerland and want to play a round by a mountain lake. Your handicap card is enough as proof of your course certificate — no separate test is needed.
A common misunderstanding is the confusion of federation and club. The ASG is not an association you would join directly but the federation above the clubs. You are a member of a golf club, which in turn belongs to the federation. So if you "check your handicap with the ASG" you are in fact using the online service the federation provides for club members. The second error concerns the name: despite the French abbreviation, the federation is responsible for the whole of multilingual Switzerland.
FAQ
Can I play on Swiss courses with my German handicap?
Yes, your German handicap is usually recognised in Switzerland, because the handicap systems in Europe rest on the same foundations. Your handicap card is enough as proof of your playing ability and course certificate; you do not need an extra test. Some facilities additionally ask for a paid green fee, but that is independent of the federation.
As a travelling golfer, must I become a member of the ASG?
No. The ASG is the federation above the Swiss clubs, not an association you join directly. As a guest you simply book a tee time and pay the green fee, exactly as in Germany. Membership is always with an individual club, which in turn belongs to the federation.
Is the Swiss golf federation still called ASG today?
Officially the federation operates today under the name Swiss Golf. The abbreviation ASG comes from the French name of the federation and has remained in common usage. So if you read ASG on scorecards or Swiss Golf websites, the same organisation is meant.