Golfers will be able to enter scores from general play rounds at any rated course around the country from next Monday via a newly launched Golf Ireland App.
It has been developed in line with the introduction of the new World Handicap System and is available to all members of affiliated golf clubs who hold a WHS Handicap Index.
The App allows golfers to record scores for handicap purposes from either 9-hole or 18-hole social rounds played in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping; to view their current handicap and create community groups.
Clubs reopening on Monday will provide a much-needed boost with timesheets already bursting at the seams with pent up demand. That is driven by the weather as well as the US Masters and the performance of Leona Maguire.
“The App is simple to use and will allow scores to be easily added to a player’s record from general play rounds at any rated course on the Golf Ireland platform making it possible to build a more complete and accurate record of a golfer’s actual playing ability,” said Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly.
Technology has had a significant impact on golf in recent years with advances in ball and club technology being fully embraced.
Moving from a paper card and a chewed pencil towards using the ubiquitous mobile phone to record scores will prove popular with younger players where the game has been making great strides and will also be accepted by older members given the importance of the handicap system in how it is played and enjoyed.
Once a player has downloaded the app and activated their account, they can pre-register a round at, or near, the venue of choice and then input a score by using the ‘Enter Score’ function and following the step-by-step instructions.
Protecting the integrity of the handicap system is a key consideration and geo-location technology will ensure pre-registering the intent to post a score can only be done in close proximity to the course where the round will take place.
A time lag also operates from the point where intent to play a round is registered to the stage when a score can be accepted and a golfer’s final score must be verified by a playing partner who has witnessed the round and who is a member of a club affiliated to Golf Ireland.
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