Everything you need to know about Golf Australia’s new digital handicapping, golfer and club management system that’s replacing GolfLink from this month
Australian golf is on the cusp of its most significant digital transformation in more than two decades.
From October 2, Golf Australia will switch on its new digital platform – Golf Australia CONNECT – ushering in a streamlined, centralised and modernised experience for clubs, venues and golfers across the country.
This upgrade isn’t just about keeping up with technology. It’s about future-proofing golf in Australia and ensuring every club member, volunteer and administrator has access to a more efficient, user-friendly system that simplifies the way we engage with the game.
“This is the most significant technology change for golf in Australia for a generation, but it’s not change for the sake of it,” says Damien de Bohun, Golf Australia’s general manager of clubs, facilities and places to play. “Golf Australia CONNECT has been designed with a focus on clubs to make administration simpler, as well as give golfers a better digital experience while setting the foundations for the game’s future growth.”
GolfLink out, Golf Australia CONNECT in
For more than 20 years, the GolfLink system has been the backbone of Australian golf administration. It’s tracked handicaps, supported competition play and helped clubs manage day-to-day operations. But the digital world has evolved, and so too must golf’s systems at the local level.
“While GolfLink has served the game very well for more than two decades, this next chapter gives us the opportunity to deliver a better, more consistent digital experience for everyone in golf,” said James Sutherland, Golf Australia’s chief executive officer.
At the heart of the change is the enhanced Golf Australia CONNECT system – a platform designed to centralise operations, improve communication and integrate seamlessly with existing third-party software providers. More than 1,900 clubs and facilities have integrated into the new ecosystem and will be live from Day 1.
From launch day, all golfers will be able to access their Golf Australia Handicap and related playing information through two primary channels: the new official Golf Australia app and a revamped golfer portal at the new digital home of golf in Australia, golf.com.au. Not only will golfers have a new way to access their handicap, but that handicap will also reflect the latest updates to the World Handicap System. These changes have been enabled by the digital upgrade to align with the R&A and USGA.
The official app is set to become a one-stop digital hub to access your GA Handicap, view your scoring history, calculate your daily handicap and connect with golf-playing friends. But the app is more than just a handicap tool. Over time, new features will be rolled out, including enhanced statistics and insights and integration with tee-time bookings. It will also enable clubs and golfers not using third-party apps to run and join competitions, score hole-by-hole and access course information.
Ahead of the transition, there will be a short system shutdown period from 10pm (AEST) on September 28 until the morning of October 2, during which no scores can be processed into the handicapping system. For clubs using MiClub, the full transition will take a little longer, with services resuming by October 10. Golf Australia has encouraged clubs to plan by rescheduling competitions where needed so members are not impacted.
Full details are available in Golfer Information Guides and toolkits provided to clubs, and expect more details for golfers in the lead-up to the October 2 transition.
However, the change isn’t limited to the golfer-facing experience. This is a whole-sport transformation, and the real power lies behind the scenes.
Why it matters to golf clubs and administrators
Running a golf club involves juggling multiple systems, logins and clunky back-end tools. Golf Australia CONNECT changes that. It brings together club, member and competition management, handicap tracking, communications and more into one unified digital environment.
“This is about much more than technology. It’s about creating a unified, modern system that makes it easier for Australians to engage with golf, especially the 460,000 golf club members,” Sutherland said.
“To make the transition as smooth as possible for clubs and venues, we have developed a comprehensive range of support services and resources to be ready for the go-live date on October 2. This includes dedicated information packs, communication toolkits and a mobilised support team to guide administrators through every step of the process.”
To bring this vision to life, Golf Australia partnered with DotGolf, a golf technology specialist co-owned by the R&A and Golf New Zealand. DotGolf has a proven track record providing similar services to golfers and clubs in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and New Zealand. Their systems are already used by millions of golfers globally. The partnership brings not only stability, but a wealth of experience in making digital transitions seamless.
“If your club uses systems like MiClub, SimpleGolf, Golf Magic, Golf Genius or GolfBox, the new platform integrates with them in the back end. It doesn’t replace them,” De Bohun says. “That means clubs can retain familiar workflows while gaining the additional accuracy, functionality and performance benefits of the Golf Australia CONNECT system.”
For event managers and competition organisers, this is a game-changer. Integration means faster access to real-time data, fewer double-handling issues and improved communication with members.
According to De Bohun, the transition is already well underway, thanks to the work of club and venue administrators and volunteers across the country. “In recent weeks, more than 1,900 clubs have been preparing for the transition – from completing onboarding tasks and taking part in training webinars, to nominating more than 1,000 Golfer Onboarding Champions to support members through the change,” he said. “The level of engagement from staff and volunteers has been outstanding and gives us real confidence that, come October 2, golfers will be well supported through the changeover to the new system.”
Any club administrators that are yet to complete the onboarding process are encouraged to engage with these resources early to ensure a smooth switch when the system goes live.
Golf Australia acknowledges that even with strong preparation, a transition of this scale will take some adjustment. That’s why additional layers of support have been put in place to help clubs and golfers adapt quickly. An expanded helpdesk will be available seven days a week online via help.golf.com.au, by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (03 7037 0400), ensuring administrators and members can access timely assistance throughout the changeover period.
The Big Picture: Laying a foundation for growth
The launch of this platform is seen as a foundation stone for the future of Australian golf. By building a national digital infrastructure, Golf Australia says it can better support clubs, reach new golfers and connect industry partners through one ecosystem.
A key benefit of this upgrade is the ability to align Australia’s handicapping rules with the latest updates to the World Handicap System. From October 2, every GA Handicap will be recalculated under the new formulas, enabled by Golf Australia’s new digital platform and advanced scoring technology, to deliver fairer, more consistent and globally aligned handicaps for all Australian golfers. Based on Golf Australia’s extensive analysis and back-calculation of millions of rounds, most golfers are expected to see a change to their GA Handicap, projected to be about 0.5 on average, although some less-regular players may experience a bigger shift.
Golf Australia has made it clear this is just the first phase. Further upgrades and features are already in development, with ongoing feedback from clubs and members helping to shape what comes next.
“This is just the beginning,” De Bohun says. “The launch of Golf Australia CONNECT and golf.com.au is the foundation for a stronger, more connected game. With feedback from clubs and golfers, we’ll continue to build new features that make golf more accessible, enjoyable and inclusive for everyone.”
Featured image: monkeybusinessimages/istock.com
