The IGN was developed to facilitate the transfer of posted scores between associations, which use different handicap vendors.  It provides associations and their handicap vendor’s access through the internet to share scores between the participating associations.  Through this system, golfers have the ability to post scores in one region and have their scores routed back to their file in their home region.  The network also provides the ability for individual golfers who are members of more than one IGN association to have their score files linked.  This enables the golfer to maintain a more accurate Handicap Index at the associations that they are a member.