More Info on the Golf Australia Connect Transition

Modified on Fri, 14 Mar at 8:21 AM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is Golf Australia Connect?
Is Golf Link being closed?
Who are DotGolf?
Where do I get Support?
How does this affect me?
Are Golf Link Cards being stopped?
What is a Golf ID?
Is there a new GA App?
Is there a new GA Website?
What other changes will occur?
Why are the Golf Australia and PGA of Australia websites being combined?

What is Golf Australia Connect?

Golf Australia is undertaking the biggest digital transformation in its history, which will see DotGolf deliver a raft of digital services to Golf Australia as the organisation’s new technology partner. Named Golf Australia Connect, the new technology bundle includes, handicaps, club platforms, a new Golf Australia app, affiliation fee collection, marketing automation and booking platform.

Is Golf Link being closed?

We can confirm the planned retirement of GOLF Link and the introduction of Golf Australia's new handicapping, club management, and membership platform – Golf Australia Connect. This transition is a significant evolution for the Australian golfing community, and we want to ensure that you and your club/venue are well-prepared for the changes ahead.

The transition is estimated to take place in the last quarter of 2024. Exact timing will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Who are DotGolf?

Golf Australia’s technology partner charged with delivering Golf Australia Connect and GOLF.com.au. DotGolf was formed in 1999 by Golf New Zealand and is now jointly owned by Golf NZ and the R&A, delivering technology solutions for golf organisations and clubs around the world.

Where do I get Support?

As part of the project delivery and to support clubs and facilities into the future, Golf Australia is providing a dedicated support centre. At this time [email protected] is the preferred contact method, with a phone number being provided for club and venue use at the commencement of the training process. The existing GOLF Link helpdesk will be retired shortly after the transition to Golf Australia Connect.

How does this affect me?

I'm a Player

I work at a T3 Club

I work at a T1 Club

In due course, Golf Australia will provide all clubs with communications and guidance that is tailored to the specific experience of their members. This will be provided to Clubs once a transition date has been set and will be forwarded to club Members following that. Please speak with your club to obtain details of the changes that will occur.

For clubs and venues which use third-party GA-Licensed Software, there will be a set of one-off tasks required to transition to Golf Australia Connect. Additionally, some ongoing functionality will be housed in the Golf Australia Connect VMS. The tasks will be communicated, and training provided, in the lead-up to the transition. Your provider will communicate with you separately on changes to their systems resulting from the transition to Golf Australia Connect.

As a part of the transition, the GOLF Link Tier 1 software will be retired from use. Golf Australia is committed to supporting clubs through the provision of Golf Australia Connect's membership, handicapping, and competition management software.

All functions currently performed in GOLF Link Tier 1 will be performed in Golf Australia Connect, along with further capability to enhance the volunteer and golf experience at your club.

There will be no cost to clubs for the provision of like-for-like services in Golf Australia Connect.

Full training on the platform will be communicated and held in the lead-up to the deployment of Golf Australia Connect.

Are Golf Link Cards being stopped?

From the time the new Golf Australia Connect platform commences operation and replaces GOLF Link, GA will cease to supply any new or replacement GOLF Link cards (i.e. plastic credit-card sized GOLF Link cards).

For the avoidance of doubt, existing GOLF Link cards (or co-branded club membership cards) will continue to perform all operational functions they currently perform within a club’s ecosystem (unless the club changes its own software in a way that renders the card inoperative for the club’s purposes). However, GA will treat the card as invalid for all purposes related to handicapping, affiliation, and GolfConnect.

From the time the new GolfConnect platform commences operation and replaces GOLF Link, GA will provide a digital membership card for each player.

The digital membership card will be a feature in the Official GA app.
It will list the player’s GA Handicap, and the name of the club of which they are a member (including denotation of the Home Club), and their club membership category (as provided by the club).
The player will have a separate digital membership card for each affiliated club of which they are a member – the separate digital cards will be accessed by swiping left to right, or right to left, on the relevant screen in the app.

What is a Golf ID?

As part of the retirement of GOLF Link, the GOLF Link number will transition to a Golf ID and will remain that player's Golf ID for life. The GOLF Link number currently assigned to a golfer will be maintained in the transition to Golf ID. The Golf ID will no longer change if a player transfers to a new home club.

Is there a new GA App?

As part of the transition, Golf Australia will be introducing a new handicap app, the Golf Australia Official App, replacing the existing Golf Australia Handicap App. The new Golf Australia Official App will maintain the current functionality of handicap lookup while introducing a range of new features including digital scoring.

Golfers will be prompted to download a new app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Instructions on how to do this will be supplied directly to golfers, clubs, and venues in the lead-up to the new app becoming available. All efforts will be made to import existing groups and players to the new app, we hope to reduce the need for users to have to re-enter data. Golf Australia will provide clubs and venues with communication and training materials to assist with their membership in the transition to the Golf Australia Official App.

Is there a new GA Website?

As part of the transition Golf Australia, in partnership with the PGA of Australia, will be introducing a brand new one-stop shop for golf in Australia, GOLF.com.au. GOLF.com.au will be the new home of Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia and will host the player's GA Handicap record. It will also be the place to stay up to speed with everything happening in Australian golf. The move to GOLF.com.au is born out of the Australian Golf Strategy which has set the industry on the path of working closer together, utilizing the digital landscape to attract new fans to the game and make it easier than ever to find a golfing experience for all. This join website will increase audiences and engagement for both Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia, while broadening the game of golf’s appeal and accessibility.

What other changes will occur?

Lifetime Golf ID, Consistency Factor

Why are the Golf Australia and PGA of Australia websites being combined?

Creating GOLF.com.au will produce a one-stop shop for all golf in Australia. Home to the content and functionality already housed on both organisations’ websites, the new joint website will allow for greater partnership, and will host the new GA Handicap product.

Appealing to a broader, and new audience, GOLF.com.au will offer everything a golfer needs from engaging with golf for the first time to a member of the golf industry. The new website will bring together existing functionality of both websites (Tournaments and events, Handicap look-up, Education, Participation programs, News and information) with a new modern look and feel and better user experience.

Also included will be a new onboarding functionality simplifying the new customer journey, a new combined search results functionality incorporating facility, Pro and Program information and a new booking platform.