Update on Handicap & Score Issues – What’s Really Going On

The Golf Collective
October 28, 2025

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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Update on Handicap & Score Issues – What’s Really Going On

How to Stop Digging and Start Gliding: The Secret to Better Chip Shots

🏌️‍♂️ The Golf Collective Weekly Update from Ruben

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

Hi everyone,

I wanted to send a quick but important update on the current handicap and scoring issues that many of you have noticed.

I’ve been working very closely with the team at Golf Genius, and I want to make it clear — they share the same sense of urgency and frustration that we do. They’ve been doing everything they can on their end to make sure the data leaving their system is 100% correct.

Unfortunately, the problem lies with Golf Australia and their new CONNECT platform. Despite what some of you may have been told when contacting them directly, these are not issues your club or Golf Genius can fix — they’re being caused within Golf Australia’s own software.

🔍 What’s happening right now

Golf Australia has publicly acknowledged two major items that are still under review:

Item 2: Duplicate score entries are appearing in some players’ handicap records — one showing as “pending” and another as “No Score – Not Approved.”
Item 8: Some rounds were processed with incorrect Daily Difficulty values, which affects the calculation of GA Handicaps.

These are not isolated cases. They’re system-wide problems impacting clubs all across the country. Golf Australia initially stated that Item 8 would be resolved and recalculated “this week,” but that has not yet been completed.

💬 Where we stand

I know how frustrating it is — I’m just as sick of it as you are. It’s taking up a lot of my time, but I want you to know I’m not sitting back waiting for things to fix themselves.

We’re not a club that just sits quietly in the queue while others wait for Golf Australia to get their act together. I’ve been in constant contact with both Golf Genius and Golf Australia, and I’m doing everything possible to get clear answers and progress updates.

✅ What you can do

Right now, the best thing you can do is:

Hold off on contacting Golf Australia directly — they’ll only tell you to speak with us again, and it just goes in circles.
If you see something odd (duplicate entries, “pending” or “Not Approved” rounds, or missing rounds), send us a quick email with a screenshot and the date. I’ll make sure it’s logged correctly on our end.
Please keep an eye on your inbox — we’ll send another update as soon as the recalculations begin or any progress is confirmed.

🕐 What’s next

There’s no confirmed timeline yet — Golf Australia has marked one issue as “TBC” and the other as “this week,” which is now dragging on. Once they complete the recalculation, your handicaps should automatically correct.

In the meantime, I really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding. It’s been a messy rollout from Golf Australia, but rest assured, we’re not letting this slide.

We’ll continue to keep you in the loop — and as always, we’ll fight to make sure our members get the service and accuracy they deserve.

Cheers,
Ruben Martins
Managing Director
The Golf Collective
📧 ruben@thegolfcollective.com.au
🌐 www.thegolfcollective.com.au

“Leading the next era of social golf in Australia.”

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.

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.

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?

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.