The national, all-encompassing handicapping network called GOLF Link is now operational at over 900 clubs across Australia.

All club members can be proud that Australia is leading the world with the introduction of this unique system. At the 1999 National Sports Awards, GOLF Link received the coveted Information Technology Award ahead of strong competition from the AFL web site and the Australian Yachting Federation membership scheme. Already interest in the GOLF Link system has been expressed by several other golfing nations.

Imagine a system that links all 600,000 Australian golf club members instantly. You can turn up at the club of your choice, verify your handicap and/or membership of another club, play your round and have your handicap updated automatically.

What is GOLF Link?

GOLF Link is the only system that will see every golf club member's handicap stored and calculated nationally. Access to the system will be gained via the Internet using the golfer's personal GOLF Link number.

Developed by Golf Australia (GA) in conjunction with Golf Partners Australia, GOLF Link is a technological breakthrough that will revolutionise amateur golf in this country.

Benefits are:

• A uniform method of golfer identification;
• Verification of each visitor's membership and handicap
• Automatic return of each visitors score to their home club; and
• Consistent application of GA handicapping rules

The GOLF Link cycle

1. Member enters their GOLF Link number before play and receives updated handicap
2. Member plays golf
3. Member submits score card and club enters score
4. GOLF Link updates handicap

Every affiliated club member will receive a GOLF Link card

By simply entering their GOLF Link number through a terminal, golfers can instantly:

• verify and update their membership details;
• enter competitions
• confirm their handicap

Like players, golf courses and their ratings vary. One of the key benefits of GOLF Link is that it eliminates inconsistent interpretations of handicap regulations, providing Australian golf with a uniformly applied handicapping system for the first time.

About your GOLF Link number

Every GOLF Link number follows a pattern where each numeral corresponds to standardised information. If your ten digit number were 3579246817, it would be dissected as follows:

When you phone 1300 650 750 with a question or wish to access your handicap, you should quote your GOLF Link number.

What about Confidentiality of my details?

In accordance with GA's confidentiality agreement held with each golf club, golfer's personal details are protected at all times. In fact, this site does not utilise personal details at all.

How do I Apply?

Please click here for more information.

Who is Golf Partners?

Golf Partners Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simbient Pty Ltd, and is the operating entity and Project Manager for GA GOLF Link project.

REMINDER - LAPSED HANDICAPS

Affiliated clubs and members are reminded that as at 1 January each year, any handicap record on GOLF Link that does not contain the necessary number of live scores (5 for males; 3 for females) in the previous 12 months, will lapse from an Australian Men’s/Australian Women’s Handicap to a Club handicap. This is in accordance with the Australian Men’s Handicapping System and Australian Women’s Handicapping System. NB Where a player competes in a competition round but does not record a score, either due to disqualification or withdrawal, that round will NOT count towards their requisite number of live scores.

Non-competition rounds (male) or "extra day scores" (female) can be used to attain the number of requisite live cards. These rounds must be countersigned by an affiliated male or female golfer.

A free copy of the Australian Handicapping & Course Rating Systems is available through this link

GOLF Link enquiries and feedback

For further enquiries about this site please see the help page.

Enquiries regarding scores and handicaps should be taken up with your club.