How Golf Australia CONNECT will affect Australian golfers and golf handicaps

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

GolfAustraliaConnect1

Updated: Oct 16, 2025

Handicap Update – CSS Scorecard entry

A quick update on entering Conforming Social Scores (CSS) from non-competition rounds.

This message is most relevant for golfers who maintain their handicap through The SGA Golf Club.

Please note that Golf Australia’s roll-out of their new app is not yet complete – as a result, some of their mobile functionality, while visible, is NOT operational.

  • Re: entry of CSS: Golf Australia had originally communicated that their App would be able to accept CSS by Oct 10.
  • Golf Australia have now pushed that date back by at least another 3-4 weeks (maybe longer)
  • Golf Australia have kept Mobile App Score Entry deactivated until they finalise the system rollout.

Our apologies for any inconvenience, but we have no control over this.

To help our SGA GC Members while Golf Australia sorts this out, we have temporarily reactivated our CSS Scorecard Entry system on our website:

  • We have streamlined the process to make submission quicker.
  • NOTE: As per Golf Australia’s current requirements:
    • Pre-nomination is NOT required at this point.
    • A marker’s name or details are NOT required at this point.
    • Slope, Scratch ratings (etc) are no longer needed – just the tee colour.

PLEASE NOTE: We expect a flood of scorecards to come in. As we need to enter these manually, it may take slightly longer than usual. We will be working hard to get these scores entered for you, but we appreciate your patience while we power through all of the cards. As soon as Golf Australia opens up their app for scoring, we will inform you through our comms channels. Sincere thanks for your patience.

Updated October 6, 2025:

We've received hundreds of enquiries from golfers about activating their new Golf ID (formerly Golf Link number) via the new Golf Australia CONNECT system.

If you haven't done so already, here is the process activate your new Golf ID:

1. Go to the Golf.com.au Setup/registration page here: https://golf.com.au/sign-up/

2. In the Box (see image below), enter your (now former) Golf Link number.

3. If an email address in the GA system is linked to your Golf Link Number, then you will receive an email from GA with a 6-digit activation code. (Check SPAM and/or Junk). Enter that code onto the setup page, and your Golf Link number will become your new Golf ID.

4. If there is NO email address in the GA system linked to your Golf Link Number, then please email us at handicap@sgagolfclub.com.au, telling us your Golf Link Number, name, and preferred email address. We will then update the system, and you can then proceed with the activation code process above.

NOTE RE CARDS AND THE ENTERING OF SCORES

Also, the Golf Australia CONNECT system is still in the Roll-out phase, and therefore we are unable to enter any handicap scores or CSS.

We will notify you once the System has completed the Roll-out, and will offer further information on score entry and Social Cards.

NOTE: If you need help with Golf Australia Connect, The Help Line for Golf Australia is (03) 7037 0400. 

Updated Sept 22, 2025

GA CONNECT is Coming – What You Need to Know 

Golf Australia (GA – the governing body of Australian amateur golf) is introducing the new Golf Australia CONNECT (GA CONNECT) platform on Thursday 2nd October for all Australian golfers and golf clubs. GA CONNECT replaces the current GOLF Link system. 

This new platform will provide enhanced technology services to more than 1,900 golf clubs and venues (which includes Social Golf Australia), and Australia’s 450,000-plus golf club members. 

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

Here’s what you need to know… 

KEY CHANGES TO HANDICAPPING SYSTEM

For golfers, there will be two key changes coming from October 2.

Golf Australia are introducing a new Official Golf Australia Official App, which replaces the existing GA Handicap App. The new app will retain the existing handicap lookup feature. The new mobile app will be available via either the Apple App or Google Play stores. 

Secondly, there will be a new portal to access your GA Handicap. This will be done via Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia’s new website, GOLF.com.au which goes live on October 2. 

Golf Australia has advised that there will be an offline period from the evening of September 28 through to October 2. During this short period, rounds of golf played will not be able to be handicapped or submitted to the portal. (See below)

Here is everything you need to know about the transition. We will update this regularly with new information, and additional timelimes as they come up.

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • September 28, 2025. GOLF Link offline.

    Golf Australia CONNECT Transition 

    At 10:00pm on Sunday 28th September 2025, Golf Australia will switch off GOLF Link and transition Australia’s golf handicap system to a new platform called Golf Australia CONNECT (GA CONNECT). 

    Every Australian golfer, golf club and golf course will be transitioned to the new platform. GA have advised a 4-day offline period until Thursday 2nd October to complete this task, during which we will be without a handicapping system and club competitions and CSS score submissions will be suspended. 

    During this time, NO SOCIAL ROUNDS OR COMPETITIONS CAN BE PROCESSED by Golf Australia. In addition, no new handicaps can be activated.

    • Offline Period – Handicap Scoring Suspended 

      Please note that due to GA transitioning to the new Golf Australia CONNECT platform, GA have announced that rounds played from 29th September until 2nd October are ineligible for handicapping. No scorecards can be submitted to SGA during this time. We will endeavor to process all scores received before 28th September as quickly as possible. Normal operations will resume on 2nd October once the GA CONNECT transition is complete. 

      So, during the outage period, please play golf, have fun, and then dispose of the scorecard thoughtfully as it won’t be added to your playing history.

    • NOTE THAT SGA will still take orders for new handicaps, as well as renewals, during this time.  All orders will be placed in a queue for GA Activation and processing.

      • If your current 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. 

    Golfer account verification process 

    To access handicapping functions, all golfers will be required to have an account on the new mobile app or through the new website GOLF.com.au. As part of the transition, all existing GOLF Link account holders will be required to verify their accounts. 

    This process will require you to enter your Golf ID (which is the same number as their existing GOLF Link number) and receive an email verification. Further details about this account verification process will be provided to both clubs and golfers closer to the transition date. 

  • October 2, 2025: Golf Australia CONNECT Live

    • Golf Australia CONNECT goes live.
    • A new website, GOLF.com.au goes live (Replacing golf.org.au)
    • Additionally, 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.

What's Changing: Golf Australia CONNECT

  • 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

    Included with the launch is a new GA Official App. 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.

  • Conforming Social Scores

    New CSS Submission Process from 2nd October

    From 2nd October, all SGA members must submit CSS scorecards directly to Golf Australia. To assist you in transitioning to submitting your scorecards directly to GA, we will keep the CSS submission form on our website available until Friday 31st October. From 1st November this page will be taken down and the only way to submit cards will be via the GA App and/or www.golf.com.au website. 

  • View Your Handicap via the 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.

  • Plastic Membership Cards eliminated in favour of Digital Golf ID

    In July 2025, GA Australia stopped issuing GOLF Link Cards. From 2nd October, use golf.com.au and the official GA App to access your Golf ID, handicap, playing history and to submit scorecards. 

  • Australian Rules of Handicapping Changes 

    From 2nd October 2025, when Golf Australia’s new digital platform goes live, your GA Handicap will be calculated using updated Australian Rules of Handicapping in line with the World Handicap System. These updates will make handicaps fairer, more consistent, and more reflective of actual playing conditions. 

    The four key changes are: 

    1. A new “Consistency Factor” for Daily Handicap calculations, supporting fairer competition and equity for female players. 
    1. A revised formula for 9-hole rounds, making shorter formats more accurate. 
    1. Adjusted expected scores for holes not played, using statistical modelling. 
    1. A refined ’Daily Difficulty’ calculation (PCC), back-calculated to 1 January 2023. 

    NOTE: You may see see a small change to your GA Handicap on 2 October. The change is projected to be less than 0.5 strokes on average, although some players may see a bigger adjustment based on their unique scoring history. The system applies the changes automatically, so you don’t need to do anything. 

ChangestoGolfRules2025

What’s Not Changing? 

First Time Handicap Scores – No Change

If you have applied for a GA handicap for the first time, there is no change to the way you submit scores for your first 54 holes. Please e-mail your scores to scorecards@sgagolfclub.com.au or visit our website at https://socialgolfaustralia.com.au/submit-your-scorecards-logged-in/  

Handicap Renewals – No Change 

We will be issuing handicap renewal notices and accepting handicap renewal payments as normal during the transition period. Renewal payments received during the offline period will be processed as soon as normal operations resume on 2nd October. 

 

SGA Tournaments – No Change 

If you play in SGA tournaments then please note there is no change. You will continue to use Golf Genius to enter player scores at SGA tournaments. 

 

Further Information 

Golf Australia Resources 

https://golf-australia-connect-club-guide.my.canva.site/golf-australia-connect-golfer-information-guide 

What Happens Next? 

We will keep you informed with updates throughout the transition to GA CONNECT. Should there be any changes or delays in the GA CONNECT rollout we will let you know via our newsletter and FAQ page. 

For full information about the transition to Golf Australia Connect, click here