On 2 October 2025, tens of thousands of golfers will log into the new Golf Australia Official App and golfer portal on GOLF.com.au to find a change to their handicap thanks to significant updates to align the Australian Rules of Handicapping with changes to the World Handicap System.  

The updates, enabled by Golf Australia’s new digital platform and advanced scoring technology, will deliver fairer, more consistent and globally-aligned handicaps for all Australian golfers.  

Based on Golf Australia’s extensive analysis and back-calculation of millions of rounds, most golfers are expected to see a change to their GA Handicap, projected to be less than 0.5 on average. Due to back-calculation of the changes to 2023, some players may experience a bigger shift to their handicap based on playing conditions during their unique scoring history.  

The Four Key Changes  

1. Consistency Factor introduced – Improves competition fairness through a new “Consistency Factor”, providing equity in Daily Handicap calculations for women and girls to reflect their greater consistency in scoring patterns compared to males.  

2. Revised 9-hole formula – Ensures 9-hole Daily Handicaps more accurately reflect half of an 18-hole handicap.  

3. Adjusted expected scores for holes not played – Uses statistical modelling instead of net par, providing a fairer outcome for incomplete rounds.  

4. Refined 'Daily Difficulty’ calculation (PCC) – More accurate recognition of difficult or easy days, back-calculated to 1 January 2023. 

The new handicap calculations are enabled by the upgrade to the Golf Australia CONNECT club administration platform and new Official Golf Australia App, which supports the submission of hole-by-hole scoring.  

Golf Australia CEO, James Sutherland, said the update is a significant step in modernising the game’s administration: “The handicap system is central to the enjoyment of golf for hundreds of thousands of Australians. These changes, alongside the launch of Golf Australia CONNECT, will make handicaps fairer, more consistent, and better aligned with the rest of the world,” Sutherland said. 

“Golf Australia’s role is to administer and enhance the handicap system on behalf of Australian golf’s membership, and with the new digital platform we have improved features and greater capability than ever before.”  

The World Handicap System (WHS) is the unified, globally adopted Rules of Handicapping and Course Rating System, jointly developed and governed by The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) to promote consistency and fairness in the game.  

Golf Australia Head of Handicapping & Rules, Simon Magdulski, said the changes have been developed, adapted and thoroughly tested for Australian conditions: “We’ve carefully designed and applied these changes in line with the WHS updates to suit Australian playing conditions, supported by extensive modelling, testing and refinement.  

“The changes are designed to improve equity and enjoyment for all, particularly the new Consistency Factor, which will improve competition fairness by providing equity in Daily Handicap calculations for women and girls to reflect their greater consistency in scoring patterns compared to males. We’ve also back-calculated the updated 'Daily Difficulty’ calculation to 1 January 2023, so golfers will start fresh on 2 October with the most accurate GA Handicap.”  

Claire Bates, Director – Handicapping at The R&A and Joint Director of the World Handicap System, welcomed the alignment: “These changes are part of the WHS’s ongoing evolution to make handicapping more inclusive and equitable worldwide. In other regions where they’ve been introduced, they’ve helped shorter-length courses offer handicapping, encouraged more players to submit scores, and improved accuracy. 

“We’re pleased to see Golf Australia implement these updates in conjunction with its new digital platform, ensuring Australian golfers benefit from the improved standards applied globally.”   

To support more accurate player handicap calculations, Golf Australia is urging all clubs to complete their onboarding tasks to confirm the accuracy of their course data in the new Golf Australia CONNECT system, which flow directly into the handicap calculations and competition results for every member.  

Golfers will be able to access their updated GA Handicap from 2 October via the Official Golf Australia App or the golfer portal at GOLF.com.au. To ensure uninterrupted access to their handicap and scoring history, golfers can confirm their Golf Australia login is linked to their current email address. The transition and resumption of full handicap services for some clubs may take until 10 October.