How Golf Australia CONNECT will affect all Australian Golfers and their Handicaps

On October 2, 2025, Golf Australia will launch Golf Australia CONNECT - a new digital handicapping management system which will replace the current GOLF Link system.

This is a major undertaking by Golf Australia, and will dramatically change how handicaps are administered and managed in Australia.

As Australia's largest golf handicap provider, Social Golf Australia is working closely with Golf Australia throughout the process. This will help minimise any impacts to our members.

Here is everything you need to know about the transition. We will update this regularly with new information.

IMPORTANT DATES:

September 28, 2025. GOLF Link offline.
GOLF Link will be taken offline, and the transition to Golf Australia CONNECT will begin.
During this time, NO NEW HANDICAPS, SOCIAL ROUNDS OR COMPETITIONS, WILL BE PROCESSED.
- HANDICAPS: SGA will still take orders for new handicaps (and renewals) during this time, but all orders will be placed in a queue for GA Activation and processing.
  If your handicap subscription is set to lapse or expire during this time, you must still renew and pay through the SGA website per your subscription dates.
- SOCIAL ROUNDS: Conforming Social Scores can not be processed at this time. Golfers are instructed to hold on to their cards for submission after Golf Australia CONNECT goes live.
- EVENTS: For SGA Events - we will still run our events as usual, via Golf Genius. We will be using a player's handicap as recorded on Sept 28. We will then process all scores from any comps once the Golf Australia CONNECT system goes live.
October 2, 2025: Golf Australia CONNECT Live
- Golf Australia CONNECT goes live.
- A new website, GOLF.com.au goes live (Replacing golf.org.au)
- A new app will be made available to golfers for download from their phone's app stores.
October 10, 2025: Competitions Resume
- Australian golf competitions resume
- Scores can be processed/added to a golf history.

Golf Australia CONNECT Details

GOLF ID Numbers (Formerly GOLF Link number)
Golfers' current GOLF Link numbers will now be referred to as a Golf ID number. This number will be used for all handicapping and competitions.
For current handicap holders, your current GOLF Link number will stay the same. This will become your permanent/Lifetime Golf ID number. This number will not change if you change clubs.
For golfers who have never held a handicap in the past, Golf Australia will assign new Golf ID numbers based on a new numbering system. (The current system of assigning club-related prefixes to a handicap number will be retired.) Thus, a Golf ID will no longer identify your club after October 2.
NEW GOLF AUSTRALIA APP and MOBILE SCORING:
Included with the launch is a new GA Official App. This free app will allow mobile scoring (Similar to MiScore) at courses that use Golf Australia CONNECT.
Players will submit their own score after having that score attested by another player.
At the end of a round, golfers will be able to upload scores from the App. For golfers holding an SGA handicap, these scores will be applied to a golfer's handicap history after approval and processing by SGA.
(The App will be available for download via the Apple and Google stores. The minimum phone requirements for the app are: Apple: iPhone 8 and onwards. Android: TBC.)
NEW GOLF.COM.AU WEBSITE
From October 2, Golfers will be able to visit golf.com.au to:
Log in to a personal golfer portal to view your GA Handicap, track scoring history, follow friends, and monitor progress over time.
Also, golfers can find golf experiences nearby, including public courses, national participation programs, mini golf, indoor golf, driving ranges and your nearest PGA Professional for lessons and expert advice.
In addition, you can follow professional golf, access club and facility resources, access rules and more.
HANDICAP CARDS
Golf Australia has discontinued the issuing of GOLF Link cards. There will not be physical account cards for Golf Australia CONNECT. Instead, golfers will be issued a Digital Membership number (Golf ID), to use for managing handicaps