Important notice to all members: please see the recent advice from Golf Australia regarding competitions

To: Australian Golf Venue Administrators

From: Golf Australia

Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025

Update on Handicap Data Validation and Competition Scoring

Dear Club Administrator,  

We want to make you aware that some incorrect handicaps are currently displaying in the Golf Australia CONNECT system because of data issues identified during our handicap validation process.

During the latest validation of handicap data, we identified some course data inaccuracies that affected how some Scratch and Slope ratings were applied to handicaps.

A recalculation of all handicaps is in process and covers more than 250 million historical scores for 450,000+ golfers. This is currently expected to complete by Friday, October 10.

Competition guidance

Golf Australia continues to strongly recommend that clubs do not conduct handicap competitions until Golf Australia provides further direction.   

The recommendation to defer competitions is to protect competition integrity and ensure results are based on verified handicaps.  

If a club has run competitions since the shutdown of GOLF Link on September 28, it is our advice to allow that competition result to stand. Golf Australia will continue to update clubs on the progress of the transition phase and advise of the most appropriate time to recommence competition golf.   

We know how important it is for clubs and members to return to competition play, and we are leaving no stone unturned to complete the process and to enable clubs to resume competition golf by Saturday, October 11.  

We recognise that many clubs have competitions scheduled this weekend and our work includes contingencies to ensure these events proceed as planned. 

What happens next

Our next update to you on this issue will be tomorrow by midday AEST.

Our future advice to club administrators will include updates on this process and practical advice for the resumption of competition golf.

We appreciate your continued patience and partnership as we finalise this important step in delivering a more accurate, reliable, and future-ready handicapping system for Australian golf. Golf Australia will provide updated advice to club administrators each day, including practical options for the resumption of competition golf, until the matter is resolved.

Kind regards,

Damien de Bohun   

GM – Club, Facilities and Places to Play

Golf Australia

Copyright (C) 2025 Golf Australia,. All rights reserved.

PLEASE NOTE:

MCG&BC Weekly Competitions will continue as normal whilst Golf Australia sort out their bugs in the new system