Golf Australia has announced an updated Gender Policy, bringing Australian amateur golf into line with policies adopted by the R&A, USGA and England Golf.
The revised policy, effective immediately, was developed over more than 12 months in consultation with sport integrity experts, state associations, industry bodies, a sample of affiliated golf clubs, and sport inclusion organisations. It’s the first update to Golf Australia’s Gender Policy since 2016.
The policy balances two key principles: making golf simpler and more inclusive at the grassroots club level, while maintaining competitive fairness at the elite amateur level.
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At club and grassroots level, trans and gender diverse players can hold and compete under either a GA Men’s or GA Women’s Handicap based on their gender identity, with no medical testing requirements. These provisions are binding for all affiliated clubs, and are designed to support equitable competition in line with the Australian Rules of Handicapping and the World Handicap System.
At the elite amateur level, women’s and girls’ scratch championships now have eligibility criteria aligned with the R&A’s international framework, requiring an application and approval process submitted at least six weeks before the relevant event. Once selected, a player’s handicap category cannot be changed for sporting purposes for a minimum of four years, a safeguard against category changes being used for competitive advantage.
The policy does not apply to non-competitive golf, with social rounds, coaching sessions, junior clinics and casual play unaffected. This aligns with Golf Australia’s broader push for multiple tee options and a gender-neutral approach to course setup already being adopted at clubs around the country.
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Golf Australia General Manager Places to Play, Damien de Bohun, said the update reflects a natural alignment with global best practice.
“Everyone deserves to feel welcome, safe and like they belong in our game, regardless of their gender identity,” de Bohun said. “The world’s leading golf organisations updated their gender policies in late 2024 and early 2025. We have followed the same considered path, working with leading sport integrity experts to develop a policy that balances inclusion with competitive fairness.
“We acknowledge that for some transgender players, particularly those who compete at the elite amateur level, these eligibility criteria may be difficult and deeply personal. We do not take that lightly, and we are committed to supporting any player navigating their eligibility with care, respect and privacy.”
De Bohun said clubs running their own scratch events, such as club championships, are strongly encouraged to adopt the national eligibility framework for consistency across the game.
Golf Australia’s National Integrity Manager, Brooke Irvine, said the policy provides a clear, fair framework for players and clubs alike.
“For transgender and gender diverse players, the decision to share their identity is deeply personal and that must be respected,” Irvine said. “A player’s gender identity must not be disclosed without their express consent, and no player should ever be confronted or questioned about who they are on the course or in the clubhouse.
“Golf clubs are at their best when every person who walks through the door feels like they belong. That’s what this policy supports, creating environments where people can simply enjoy the game without fear of judgement, and where privacy and dignity are treated as non-negotiable.”
The policy is supported by a dedicated online resource hub featuring tailored handbooks, a handicap category change process guide and FAQs, with education webinars for club administrators available from August 31.
