Golf Ireland has announced the launch of iGolf, a new initiative designed to give independent golfers across Ireland access to an official golf handicap.

The decision has caused unease in golf clubs that one of the reasons for continued membership, to gain a handicap will be removed but this has been addressed with the new initiative only open to golfers who have never been or have not in the last three years been a member of a club.

In that way it will, as is intended, reach out to new golfers and those who have come to the game more through ranges and virtual golf facilities, making them more welcome and more likely to stay within the sport as it has traditionally been known, out on a golf course.

In the US already there are more people who deem themselves to be golfers that play in facilities that have no grass. Such facilities, like Sigmoid HQ where we hosted this year’s Sport for Business Business of Golf event in June. are already proving immensely popular.

The term ‘Independent Golfers’ is used for golfers who play golf but are not currently members of golf clubs. This will allow them to subscribe to iGolf and gain a Handicap Index under the World Handicap System, for an annual subscription fee of €65 in the Republic of Ireland and £55 in Northern Ireland.

The iGolf platform is an easy-to-use, digital system that enables golfers to track their performance, view their playing record, and maintain a Handicap Index®. The subscription also provides access to the Golf Ireland handicapping app, giving subscribers a streamlined experience which is subject to the same handicapping rules as club members under the R&A/USGA regulations.

Similar schemes launched in other countries—including New Zealand (2018), England, Scotland, and Wales (2021) — have seen significant success in encouraging increased participation and ultimately transitioning many independent golfers into club membership.

“Our objective with iGolf and a range of other Golf Ireland initiatives is clear: to protect club membership, while fostering broader participation across diverse golfer demographics and facilitating, as appropriate, a seamless transition to club membership,” said Jane Joyce, Golf Ireland Board Member and Chair of the independent golfer working group.

“This initiative is supported by the R&A as a way to grow the sport and bring more players into the game.”

Golf Ireland, in line with its strategic plan, committed to evaluating independent golfer schemes from around the world and assessing their suitability for Ireland.

A working group was established earlier this year to develop and launch this initiative, and it was announced at the Golf Ireland AGM in March. Since then, Golf Ireland has consulted widely with golf clubs and stakeholders, through webinars and in-person meetings, adapting the scheme based on the feedback.

The new scheme is being billed as not only benefitting independent golfers but also contributing to the sustainability of clubs.

Research from similar schemes has shown that iGolf participants are likely to play more frequently, and a significant number eventually transition to full club membership.

There is a natural reluctance to embrace change but this looks as if it has been well researched and our guess is that the benefits will vastly outweigh whatever danger there is of someone relinquishing membership and excluding themselves from golf tournaments for three years, in order to take advantage.

“Following our evaluation of successful independent golfer schemes internationally, we are excited to launch iGolf in Ireland. Independent golfer initiatives in other countries have proven to open up golf to a wider audience and create pathways to membership,” said Golf Ireland CEO, Mark Kennelly.

“We believe this will contribute significantly to the growth of golf in Ireland, attracting new players and helping to increase club membership over time.”

 

 

 

 

Sport for Business, in partnership with Allianz, will hold the 2024 Sport for Business Sport for Social Good Conference on Thursday, October 24th. This is one of ten events currently planned for the remainder of 2024.

Register your interest to attend a Sport for Business event here.

 

The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies. 

Find out more about joining us today.