What is Course Authorisation and your 1st Handicap. 
Newcomers to golf can prove that they can play at a brisk pace, move safely and confidently on the golf course, do not endanger themselves or other golfers and have a fundamental knowledge of the rules.

Course authorisation
Achieving the course authorisation involves the following stages: 

A: Theory:
Theory test: 40 questions about etiquette and rules. You pass the test if can you answer at least 28 questions correctly.

B.Practical
Playing on the driving range  supervised by a Swiss PGA professional
The practical test on the practice ground (putting green, chipping green or driving range) can be held in one or more hours/stages. The Swiss PGA professional checks the scores and enters them onto a test card.

The following are tested:

• Tee shots: shots from the teeing ground; 6 balls; objective: 3 out of 6 balls in flight over a distance of 80m for men and 70m for women.
• Long game: shots with a wood, hybrid or mid-iron; 6 balls; objective: 3 out of 6 balls in flight over a distance of 60m.
• Pitching: length 15 to 18 metres to the hole; 6 balls; objective: 2 out of 6 balls in a 6m-radius circle.
• Chipping: length 10 to 12 metres to the hole; 6 balls; objective: 2 out of 6 balls in a 4m-radius circle.
• Bunker: objective: 2 out of 6 balls must come to rest on the green.
• Putting: course: 9 holes (3x 3 m, 3 x 6 m, 3 x 9 m); objective: with one ball, max. 21 strokes.
• After passing the theory test and playing on the practice ground, the final test can take place on a course approved by Swiss Golf, a 6 to 9-hole course, or a pitch & putt course.

C: Playing on the course
Test conducted by a Swiss PGA Professional

• Etiquette: safety, courtesy and consideration, pace of play, priority (who has ‘right of way’), care of the course.
• Play on the course: teeing off, long game, pitching, chipping, bunker and putting.
• Completing the score card and converting scores into Stableford points: 

The expert compares the player’s conduct on the course with the objectives of the test, based on the criteria listed above. They decide whether the test has been passed.

If the test has been held on a course approved by Swiss Golf and over 9 or 18 holes, the signed score card can be submitted as the first handicap score.
This is recognised as soon as the player has obtained a Swiss Golf card from a club affiliated to Swiss Golf, or from one of the two public golf organisations (ASGI and Migros GolfCard).
A club can define further conditions for attaining the course authorisation.

Check out this rules quiz you take for some further knoweldge and fun here