TGC Newsletter 12th Jan 2026 – 🎉 Welcome to 2026 – Our Biggest Season Yet

The Golf Collective
January 12, 2026

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!

Latest Post

TGC Newsletter 12th Jan 2026 – 🎉 Welcome to 2026 – Our Biggest Season Yet

The 2026 TGC Season Is Locked In ⛳ | Full Events Calendar Inside

TGC 2026 VIP Membership – ONLY 2 LEFT!

This Week at The Golf Collective

Welcome to 2026 — and what is shaping up to be our biggest season yet.

As we tip over 500 members, it’s pretty wild to think about how far The Golf Collective has come. None of this happens without the people who show up, support each other, volunteer their time, and genuinely buy into what we’re building — so thank you for being part of the journey so far.

Let’s get into what’s ahead 👇

🗓️ 2026 EVENTS SCHEDULE – NOW LIVE

The full 2026 schedule has officially dropped, and it’s a big one.

To make life easier, we’ve created a downloadable PDF calendar that you can save to your phone or stick straight on the fridge.

👉 Download the 2026 Events Calendar (PDF)

🆕 WHAT’S NEW FOR 2026 – LOCAL RULES UPDATE

We’re implementing a new set of local rules for 2026, which will be officially announced prior to the first Cup Race round on 1st February.

Two changes we know you’ll love:

Preferred lies at all times (scorecard length only)
Relief from:
- Animal AND human prints in bunkers
- Pitch marks that aren’t your own

There are also a few refinements to existing local rules.

👉 Full details coming in an announcement post within the next week or two — stay tuned.

👥 YOUR 2026 MANAGEMENT TEAM

As TGC continues to grow, having the right people in the right roles is more important than ever. A massive thank you to everyone who volunteers their time — it truly means the world.

CEO

After guiding TGC through the final six months of 2025, Roland now vacates the CEO role. Without his leadership, we wouldn’t have finished the season in the monumental way we did.

This role will be filled later in the season, and it’s not a decision we’ll rush. CEO is the single most important role in TGC — it needs someone who truly represents the character and passion of our community. We’ll announce this when the time is right.

Operations Manager

Aleisha steps into the Operations Manager role for 2026. Many of you already know her — and if you don’t, you will very soon.

Much of what you’re seeing take shape in 2026 is thanks to her work over the past six months. She has the full support of the team as we continue building something special together.

Chairman

Roland moves into the Chairman role, overseeing both the Management Team and Committee to ensure alignment, structure, and long-term direction.

President

Jimmy will lead the members as President — acting as the key link between members and management. Your ideas, feedback, and voices will flow through him and into action.

Partnerships Executive

Susie Morris has done a brilliant job strengthening existing partnerships and securing new ones.
Interested in partnering with TGC?
📧 susan@thegolfcollective.com.au
🌐 www.thegolfcollective.com.au/sponsor

Member Services & Support

Vanessa, along with myself and the wider team, can be contacted via:
📧 admin@thegolfcollective.com.au

We aim to respond within 12–24 hours.

To help us stay on top of everything, please use email as your primary contact method rather than Messenger or DMs — it genuinely makes a huge difference.

Media

Brodie returns as our on-course media man for 2026. If you see him, don’t be shy — we love building a library of our members in action.

And me…

So what am I doing in 2026?

My focus this year is supporting the team and the members, helping everyone get the best out of themselves and each other. You’ll see me at select events — and at most others with a camera in hand.

2026 isn’t about me.
It’s about the team.
And it’s about you.

🏌️ TEAMS, CAPTAINS & NEW RECRUITS

Missed the Facebook post announcing team captains and new recruits?

👉 Check it out here

👋 GOT A FRIEND WHO WANTS TO JOIN?

Golf’s better with mates — and there’s no better time than right now.

New members can use the code TENOFF for 10% off any new membership.

🏆 HOW THE CUP RACE WORKS

Eligible members: Platinum & Gold
Points: Top 20 finishers at each event
Best 6 rounds count toward your season total
Season Finale: Double-points final at Gosnells

The goal?
👉 Get into the Top 10 — and stay there. That’s where the real race begins.

🛡️ HOW THE TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP WORKS

Every time you tee it up, you’re earning points for your team:

Participation points
Finishing position points
Novelty & social scoring points
Match play wins

Ambrose boost:
Pair up with a teammate in Ambrose events to earn double participation points and double podium points.

🏁 Teams Final: The Cut
Full finals format details are available in the Members Forum.

📊 SOCIAL SCORING & HANDICAPS – UPDATE

Yes… the saga continues.

While things are improving, issues still exist with daily social scoring, and both Golf Australia and Golf Genius are working on fixes.

You may notice fewer courses available — this is due to a GA/DotGolf timeout limit.

If a course you play regularly is missing, let us know and we’ll add it
If it’s a spontaneous round, submit a manual scorecard via the SUBMIT page and we’ll upload it for you

👩‍🦰👧 LADIES & JUNIOR EVENTS – 2026

Ladies events: Monthly, Saturdays
Junior events: Attached to select TGC events so parents and kids can attend together

Aleisha will be leading this space — more info coming soon.

✈️ TRIPS FOR 2026

You’ll spot three trips on the calendar:

The Outback Classic (Kalgoorlie)
The Rottnest Retreat
The Southern Swing (Busselton / Sanctuary / Dunsborough Lakes)

📅 Registrations open 1st February

Accommodation will likely be self-managed — confirmation coming soon.

⏱️ EVENT REGISTRATIONS & MEMBERSHIP PERKS

Event limits:

40 players (standard events)
60 players (majors)

Access order: VIP → Platinum → Gold

Membership overview:

VIP: Free entry to most events, Cup Race & Team points
Platinum: Early registration, up to 10% off, Cup Race & Team points
Gold: Register with payment, up to 5% off, Cup Race & Team points
Social: Event access only, Team points only

👔 MEMBER ETIQUETTE & PRESENTATION

We pride ourselves on professionalism and respect at every course we visit.

Please remember:

Follow dress codes and always have your shirts tucked in
Hats off indoors
Be polite and courteous to course staff

We want to stand out — for the right reasons.

💡 GOT AN EVENT IDEA?

We’d love to hear it. Your ideas help shape the future of TGC.

🔁 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS – QUICK FAQ

Your membership renews automatically at the end of your current membership period
You can upgrade or downgrade at any time – a prorata amount will be calculated accordingly

To view the status of your membership or update payment details, you can do so under the “My Subscription” tab of the members area on the website.

Here’s to a massive year ahead!

Thanks again for being part of The Golf Collective.

See you out there,
Ruben

Director
The Golf Collective

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.