What is GOLF Link and how does my club join?
GOLF Link is an initiative of Golf Australia (GA) to centralise and computerise the Australian Golf Handicapping System, the Australian Course Rating System and other golf
administration tasks. When fully rolled out the system will calculate and maintain the handicaps of all affiliated golfers across Australia. The system is a world first and has won a National Sports technology award and a
Hitwise award for the most visited site in golf. It has processed
over 35 million rounds of golf since GOLF Link’s inception and over
2 million since our major upgrade in March 2005.
GOLF Link is fast becoming golf’s modern administration tool, and
it not only provides us with invaluable information to improve the
course rating and handicapping systems, but it also provides clubs and golf:
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A basic competition management system with
multiple round and graded scores facility.
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A basic membership system
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Remote access to club administration, making
the job of voluntary administrators easier as they can access the system
from home. E.g. Men’s and Women’s Handicappers
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The club can set up its own security access
granting permission to others to make the job of volunteers easier. E.g.
competition only access can be granted without providing access to the
membership system.
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Continual upgrades and new functionality
ensuring the currency of the system.
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Online support and a 1300 Help desk
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The only website allowed to display handicaps in Australia - http://www.golflink.com.au soon to be further
enhanced.
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The ability for clubs
to update their own information for State and National Associations and linked websites. E.g. Update Captain &
President information, membership availability which will display on GA’S and Golf Access’ club membership vacancy sections.
GOLF Link allows a uniform and consistent method of handicapping and provides the
golfer with an identification card that is recognised
at all affiliated clubs across
Australia.
The process starts when a golfer
swipes their GOLF Link card (or enters their GOLF Link
number on the keyboard) to enter a club competition. (Note: Some clubs
without direct access to GOLF Link may simply request the GOLF Link number
for processing later, this request may be on the competition entry sheet.) At the completion
of the round the golfer submits the card to the club and the details are
recorded and electronically sent to the National Handicapping System
central database via the club’s GOLF Link connection. GOLF Link then calculates the CCR and updates the
golfer’s handicaps. The handicap adjustments and CCR are sent back to the
club immediately. No more having to wait days for your handicap to be
adjusted. In addition all GOLF Link visitor’s records are updated
immediately, no more return of scores to Home clubs!
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What does Tier 3 and Tier 1 mean?
Tier 3 and Tier 1 are terms that
describe the way a club connects to GOLF Link. Tier 3 users purchase
software from an accredited GOLF Link software provider (see list provided
in the Bulletin attached to the Tier 1 Registration form), Tier 1 users
simply log on to a website and perform all of their GOLF Link processing
directly over the Internet, similar to Internet banking. Generally
speaking, clubs that chose to use Tier 3 have a large member base and
require sophisticated software to run their club, whilst Tier 1 users are
usually smaller clubs with minimal reliance on computer software. There is
no restriction as to what method a club can use, the choice is yours.
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What does the Tier 1 system offer?
Tier 1 provides all the required functionality to allow a club to maintain its member’s handicaps on GOLF Link. Membership and Competition Management tools, as well as valuable
reports, are available which allow the club and its members to fully
utilise the benefits of being linked to GOLF Link. Of course, all Tier 1
club members enjoy the other benefits available to Tier 3 club members who
receive a GOLF Link card and number that serves as identification for
handicap purposes, especially when visiting other clubs. GOLF Link
cardholders also have the convenience of access to the GOLF Link website
at http://www.golflink.com.au which provides an accountable and transparent
record of their scores and handicap history. The GOLF Link website is the
most visited website in Australia for Golf.
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What does it cost to be on GOLF Link?
All GOLF Link Clubs (Tier 3 and
Tier 1) pay the GOLF Link fee of $2.50 (+GST) per affiliated member per
annum or the number of Valid Members on the GOLF Link database, whichever
is the greater. In the first year of joining, a club pays a Pro-Rata fee
depending on the time of year. The financial year commences in April.
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What Computer Hardware and Software do we need to access Tier 1?
Your club must provide its own computer and internet access and preferably minimum Windows 98 operating
system with Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2, which is available for
download from Microsoft if required. A Dial-up Internet connection is
adequate but Broadband is recommended.
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Is our club able to access Tier 1 from any computer?
One of the great benefits of Tier 1 is that a club administrator can access GOLF Link from any computer
with Internet access (and minimum program requirements). This allows the
clubs who don’t have a computer facility at their course or club to
process at home or the office or wherever they wish.
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How do I add my members onto the GOLF Link database?
Once you are provided with your access details, you will be able to download a spreadsheet that you can
fill out offline with your member’s details and send to GOLF Link for
loading, or you can enter them directly via the Tier 1 application. If you
have a large number of members or are using a Dial-up Internet connection,
filling out the spreadsheet may be the best option for you.
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How does our club get started on GOLF Link?
All clubs have been sent access details to get started with GOLF Link. If your club has not received this you should
email us at help@golflink.com.au with all of your contact details.
You can also visit the Help Section of the GOLF Link website for more detailed operational information
in the Club FAQ’s section http://www.golflink.com.au/Help.aspx#ClubQtop
or view the Tier 1 Tutorial at http://www.golflink.com.au/Downloads/GLT1_Tutorial_v1.2.pdf
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What preparations do we need to make?
Once your club is online, if your club has a course, please check your course information in the Tier 1 system under Club Details.
If this is not correct please contact your state association to adjust.
Also please ensure you find out your Non-Home club members’ GOLF Link numbers;
if these numbers are not available, or these members are not yet on GOLF Link, upload them at a later date.
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Can we learn how to use the Tier 1 system?
The tutorial is available on the GOLF Link website, http://www.golflink.com.au in the ‘Club Updates and Downloads’ section.
Please read through this tutorial to learn how to use the system.
You can begin using the application immediately once you have read and understood the tutorial.
You have the option of either directly entering your members into the system, or using the spreadsheet provided on the homepage to send us for uploading of your membership.
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Accredited Tier 3 System Providers
Below is a list of Tier 3 accredited providers for the GOLF Link project. Click on each individual company to find out more detail. For further information about their systems please contact the provider.
GOLF Link Accredited Tier 3 Providers as at 1 January, 2007
Electric Green - Tel: 02 9516 5853 (*formerly known as Jack Newton Group/Golf Networking Australia Pty Ltd)
Golf Computer Systems - Tel: 07 3366 6696
IFCA Solutions - Byte Power Group Ltd - Tel: 07 3620 1678
IH Club Solutions Pty Limited - Tel: 02 9877 0144
Infopower Pty Ltd - Tel: 07 5630 1122
King Street Computers - Tel: 02 9888 4775
Micropower Pty Ltd - Tel: 03 9898 3455
Posline Technologies - Tel: 02 4363 1120
Pricap Pty Ltd - Tel: 0404 060 109
Pulse Club Computers - Tel: 02 4929 7822
Strategic Business Computing - Tel: 0411 544 388
Thyme Software - Tel: 08 8260 8245
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Privacy Policy
Please ensure you are sending your members’ personal details to GOLF Link in accordance with the GOLF Link agreement. (Copies of this agreement are available from GA and the Tier 1 website).
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