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Thegolfcollective

GA Connect: The Reality Update — What’s Still Broken, What We’re Doing, and Why Golf Australia Needs to Speak Up

Ready to get started? Join us today and let’s hit the course together sometime! Whether you’re looking to get an official handicap for the first time or wanting to improve your existing one, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Golf is a game for everyone, and with a handicap, you can fairly compete against one another, regardless of skill level. 

So come on, let’s play golf and enjoy the beautiful courses Australia has to offer!

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Published: 22 October 2025

On 14 October we published our post: “GA Connect Drama: What’s Actually Going On with Golf Australia’s New Handicap System” where we laid out the move from GOLF Link to GA Connect, what was promised and the first signs of trouble.
This update is your follow-through: what’s changed (or not), how we’re responding at The Golf Collective, and why we’re now asking Golf Australia to step up publicly.


So: What’s changed (or not) since then?

Short answer: A few tweaks, but the core issues remain — and they’re not getting the public acknowledgment they deserve.

Here’s what we’re still seeing:

  • Score submissions are still inconsistent: Some rounds post correctly, others don’t appear, appear incorrectly or end up marked NSNA (No Score – Not Approved).
  • Clubs can’t edit the GA-side records: While our club admin side might have the correct score, the GA side doesn’t allow correction — so you still look ‘wrong’ to GA.
  • Course/tee-data migration still patchy: Some venues and tees aren’t fully live or mapped, causing incorrect setups or blocking submissions.
  • Login/app/connectivity issues continue: Members being logged out, score upload sessions timing out, histories missing.
  • Lack of public, consistent updates from Golf Australia: Outside of FAQ pages and transition announcements, there’s no regular “this is what’s fixed today / this is still under investigation” feed. That silence falls back on clubs.

Clubs across Australia are reporting the same categories of issue. For example, a club bulletin on the rollout describes GA’s own statement: “you may experience occasional interruptions during the initial transition.”
That’s fair — but we all expected better clarity and support.


What we at The Golf Collective are doing

Because we’re not prepared to sit back and say “we’ll wait for it”:

  • We’ve logged multiple open tickets with Golf Australia for our club. Each incorrect result, missing score or flagged NSNA gets tracked daily.
  • We’re collecting evidence — card photos, signed sheets, screenshots — so we’re ready to submit correction requests as soon as GA enables edits.
  • We’re keeping you informed — via this blog, emails, and social posts. We’re tired of silence.
  • We’re pressing Golf Australia for better transparency and club backing. The onus shouldn’t fall on clubs alone.

What you need to do (members)

Your part of the process is important — here’s how you can help:

  1. Play and submit as usual — don’t stop golfing because of the tech woes.
  2. Keep your signed card or take a clear photo — especially if something looks wrong in your history later.
  3. If your handicap or record looks wrong, let us know — include the round date, course, tee, what you submitted, any screenshot of the error and a card photo.
  4. Check your member details — email, DOB, Golf ID. Incorrect data often causes failed uploads.
  5. Stay tuned: we’ll update you when we hear from GA or attempt repairs.

A message to Golf Australia

Look — we’re aware that major system transitions come with teething problems. That’s acceptable. What’s not acceptable is being left in the dark while clubs bear the fallout.

Golf Australia needs to:

  • Publicly acknowledge the scale of this issue — not just to clubs, but to all members and community golfers.
  • Provide a clear timeline — what’s broken, what’s being fixed, when clubs and members can expect full stability.
  • Support clubs operationally — we’re cleaning up the mess on the ground, while member frustration grows. We need resources, we need updates, we need clarity.

Because right now, clubs like ours are doing the heavy lifting. Our members are asking questions we can’t always answer. The community deserves better.


FAQ (updated)

Q: Will my handicap be permanently wrong because of these glitches?
A: No. Once GA resolves the backend bugs and enables the necessary edit paths, we’ll correct records so that your true results are reflected.

Q: Is this only happening at our club?
A: No — this is a nationwide rollout and the same kinds of issues are cropping up across clubs.

Q: When will everything be fixed?
A: There’s no publicly confirmed date yet. But internal signals suggest some issues may persist into mid-November or beyond. We’ll keep pushing for a clearer date.


Final thoughts

We’re in the midst of one of the biggest overhauls of Australian amateur golf tech in decades. That means some problems were inevitable. But accurate handicaps, fair competition and clear communication aren’t optional.

Thanks for your patience. We’re digging in, not sidestepping, and we’ll keep you posted. If you spot any error in your record, send it through — we’ve got your back.

Golf is a game of skill, strategy, and precision. For players of different abilities, competing fairly can be a challenge without a standardized system. That’s where the golf handicap comes in, ensuring a level playing field for all golfers, from beginners to professionals. In this guide, we’ll dive into why having a handicap is beneficial and answer essential questions like what should my handicap be, how long does it take to get a handicap, and more.

What is a Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure that represents a golfer’s potential skill level. It helps players of different abilities compete fairly, by adjusting the number of strokes a golfer is allowed to take. In essence, the lower the handicap, the better the player.

For example, if Golfer A has a handicap of 5 and Golfer B has a handicap of 15, Golfer B will receive additional strokes to even out the competition, making it fair for both players.

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Encourages Goal-Setting and Personal Challenges

For many golfers, lowering their handicap is a key goal. This system encourages players to focus on improving specific areas of their game and set personal goals. As you see your handicap drop, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that drives you to keep practising and improving your skills.

Facilitates Tournament Participation

Many tournaments require participants to have an official handicap. Without one, you might miss out on a wide range of opportunities to compete in organised events at local clubs, amateur competitions, or even larger tournaments. Having a handicap ensures you’re eligible for these events and that you can compete fairly.

Supports Strategic Course Management

Knowing your handicap also allows you to make smarter decisions on the course. Players with higher handicaps might focus on playing conservatively, while lower handicap golfers can take more risks. By integrating your handicap into your strategy, you’ll improve your overall performance and learn to manage the course more effectively.
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What Should My Handicap Be?

One of the most common questions new golfers ask is, what should my handicap be? For beginners, it’s typical to start with a high handicap, such as 20-36 for men or 20-40 for women. As you gain experience and improve, your handicap will decrease.

For an average golfer, handicaps usually range between 10-20. Experienced players often have handicaps under 10, and professionals typically play with a handicap close to zero or even in the “plus” range. The goal is to keep improving your game and lowering your handicap over time.

What Are Professional’s Handicaps?

One of the most common questions new golfers ask is, what should my handicap be? For beginners, it’s typical to start with a high handicap, such as 20-36 for men or 20-40 for women. As you gain experience and improve, your handicap will decrease.

For an average golfer, handicaps usually range between 10-20. Experienced players often have handicaps under 10, and professionals typically play with a handicap close to zero or even in the “plus” range. The goal is to keep improving your game and lowering your handicap over time.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Handicap?

A common query from new players is, how long does it take to get a handicap? Getting an official handicap typically requires submitting scores from 3 to 5 rounds of golf. These scores are used to calculate your handicap based on your performance and the difficulty of the courses you’ve played.

Once you’ve established a handicap, it will be updated as you play more rounds and submit additional scores. It’s essential to keep tracking your scores regularly to maintain an accurate handicap.

At The Golf Collective to establish a handicap, you’ll need to complete 54 holes. You can achieve this by playing three 18-hole rounds, six 9-hole rounds, or a combination of both. Ensure your scores are verified by a playing partner and submitted according to our straightforward guidelines. Be sure to keep your scorecard for each round.

How The Golf Collective Can Benefit You

You can submit all of the rounds you play, not just at your ‘home course’. You can play at any course recognized for handicapping, and your scores will still be valid. Our system allows you to enjoy golf wherever you choose while ensuring your handicap stays accurate and up to date.

Unlike clubs that rely on manual scorecards, our mobile scoring system offers a convenient, paperless solution for submitting your scores. This allows for quicker handicap updates and provides a more streamlined, modern golfing experience.

At The Golf Collective, you can enjoy a social round anytime, anywhere, and still have it count toward your handicap. Our flexible system lets you play on your schedule while keeping your handicap accurate and up to date.