September 18th, 2025
By Australian Golf Digest
We asked Golf Australia’s general manager of clubs, facilities and places to play, Damien de Bohun, to answer a selection of the best questions submitted by readers
In a nutshell, what are the main advantages of adopting this new digital system? What new capabilities will clubs have and what benefits will Australian golfers get as a result of the change? – Craig Moore, via e-mail
The new digital platform simplifies club operations and delivers a better experience for golfers. For administrators, it reduces double-handling, integrates with existing software and provides real-time data. For golfers, it means easier access to handicaps, scores, course info and, over time, new digital services – all in one place through the app or portal.
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What’s the difference between GolfLink and Golf Australia CONNECT? What are we getting or losing? – Peter Coulson, via Facebook
GolfLink has served the game well for more than 20 years, but it was built for a different era. GA CONNECT does everything GolfLink did – tracking handicaps, supporting competitions – but with a modern interface, seamless integration and much greater functionality. Nothing is being lost; instead, clubs and golfers will gain more tools, better accuracy and easier access.
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Will our GolfID be a completely new number or the same as our existing GolfLink number? And how long will it last? – John Marshall, via e-mail
Under the new system, your existing GolfLink number will become your permanent GolfID. Unlike GolfLink, where your number could change if you switched clubs, your GolfID will stay with you for life – no matter where you play, which club you join, or how often you move. It’s your unique identifier in Australian golf and will remain the same for as long as you are part of the game. For those new to golf, creating a GolfID is free and gives you instant access to the official Golf Australia app for scoring, as well as your personalised golfer portal at golf.com.au
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What’s the ultimate cost for golf clubs and members that don’t have any of the scoring apps affiliated with their club? – James Nohokau, via Facebook
There is no additional cost to golfers or clubs to use Golf Australia CONNECT. The platform is funded through Golf Australia and the existing club affiliation model, so golfers can download and use the official Golf Australia app free of charge. One of the real benefits of Golf Australia CONNECT is that it levels the playing field for smaller clubs and venues that don’t already use third-party management systems or apps. Through the platform’s free Venue Management System, every club will now have access to a modern, fully integrated digital platform, giving administrators the tools to manage members and competitions more easily, and golfers a simple way to join competitions and submit digital scores through the new app. In short, all clubs, big or small, and all golfers will share in the benefits of the upgrade.
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Is this the same as the current touchscreen terminal system where players enter the score after a round? – Taz Huxley, via Facebook
Golf Australia CONNECT does not include a dedicated clubhouse terminal or kiosk, which some golfers may have used through other club management technology providers. If your club uses a Golf Australia Licensed Software Provider (such as MiClub, GolfBox, SimpleGolf or others), those systems will continue to operate and integrate with your GA Handicap as normal. For clubs without these systems, Golf Australia CONNECT now gives golfers the ability to submit competition or social scores digitally through the official Golf Australia app, including hole-by-hole scoring, or by using a traditional paper scorecard. This ensures all clubs, regardless of size or resources, have consistent and flexible ways to manage competitions and scoring.
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Will my handicap change when the new system launches? – Henry Lee, via e-mail
Yes. From October 2, your GA Handicap will be recalculated under the updated Australian Rules of Handicapping, which are aligned with the World Handicap System. As part of this update, the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) has been refined and will be back-calculated to results from January 1, 2023. This means that more than 18 months of competition scores will be re-assessed under the new formula to ensure handicaps are as accurate and consistent as possible from Day 1. For most golfers, the change will be small – about half a shot on average – but some less-frequent players may notice a bigger adjustment. These updates make handicaps fairer, more consistent and better reflect actual playing conditions. Your updated handicap will be visible immediately in the new official Golf Australia app or through the golfer portal at golf.com.au on October 2.
