Official Australian Golf Handicaps for all Australian Golfers

1. Become a member with BRG (membership is free)
2. Apply by emailing answers to the Handicap Questions
3. Submit three (or more) signed scorecards
4. Make the $105 annual payment

Official Australian Golf Handicaps through BRG

Bushranger Golf (BRG) partnered with Golf Australia in 2007 to offer official Australian handicaps around Australia through the Golf Access Australia (GAA) and GOLF Link systems. Handicaps are available for $105 per annum (at Golf Australia's annual price of $99 plus a $6 BRG admin fee) to any BRG member. In 2013, with the rollback of the Golf Access system, BRG switched affiliation to the Victorian Golf League (VGL) and Golf Victoria.

Your official handicap through BRG comes with a GOFL Link number and Golf Australia's personal Insurance Plan - golf specific insurance with $20 million of coverage. Your official handicap gives you access to various golf competitions around Australia and online monitoring of your handicap progress through the GOLF Link system.

To obtain your first handicap, you need three scorecards signed by a golfer affiliated with Australian golf (this includes members of Golf Australia affiliated clubs - such as Bushranger Golf) to attest the scores are true and correct and that the round was played in accordance with the rules of golf. If you are already a member of Bushranger Golf and want to obtain an official Australian affiliate handicap, keep reading. If you are not yet a BRG member, just click into the Registration Page and enter your details to join Bushranger Golf. Membership is free and open to everyone who enjoys our great game.

When you sign up for a Golf Access Australia affiliate handicap through BRG, the benefits include:

• Your own official GOLF Link handicap swipe card.
• A starter pack with rules, etiquette and general information.
• Access to GOLF Link, Golf Australia’s national online handicapping system.
• Four annual magazines from Golf Victoria featuring golf industry updates & information.
• A valid Australian affiliate handicap for one year from the date BRG registers you with GOLF Link.
• Coverage through Golf Australia’s Personal Insurance Plan (PIP) which includes cover for loss and damage of clubs, personal liability and personal accident insurance. Note that limits apply to the insurance cover.
• Green Fee Discounts with BRG partner courses.

These are the four easy steps to obtain your handicap through BRG:

1. Become a member of Bushranger Golf via the Registration Page. 
2. Email forecaddie@bushrangergolf.com.au with your answers to the Handicap Questions (listed here).
3. Send three (or more) signed scorecards (or copies) to Bushranger Golf.
4. Make the payment of $105 to Bushranger Golf ($99 for GAA membership and a $6 BRG admin fee). Either mail a cheque to Bushranger Golf (to PO Box 261, Heathcote, Vic, 3523) or EFT (with YOUR name in the payment reference) to:

Bushranger Golf 
Bendigo Bank
BSB: 633 000
Account Number: 130 203 821

What happens next?

Once you have emailed answers to the Handicap Questions, we will reply by email to confirm we have received your application and to arrange how you will submit the three scorecards (by mail, fax or email). We can then calculate your starting handicap within a few working days. Once payment is received, we will enter your details on the GOLF Link system. This will automatically generate your GOLF Link Membership handicap card that will be mailed to you by GOLF Link. Your handicap will be active as soon as we enter your details on GOLF Link. If you have any questions, contact the BRG handicapper, Matthew Pitt via the feedback form on our Contact page or at matt (at) bushrangergolf.com.au.

A little about GOLF Link (from the Golf Australia website)

GOLF Link is Golf Australia's national computerised golf handicapping system. It started officially in January 1999 and golf club members who are not yet online are eagerly awaiting the introduction of the GOLF Link into their own club. The GOLF Link system is a world first. Members use a plastic "swipe" card to access handicaps from their Club PC, at golf clubs around Australia. The swipe card is used to confirm and update handicaps, verify club memberships and enter competitions. The centralised system is overseen by Golf Australia and replaces existing club-based handicap systems. All golfers will be issued with a handicap card which is used by club systems to identify the golfer to the national handicapping system.

The major benefits of implementing GOLF Link are:

• Uniform method of identification
• Automatic return of visitors’ scores
• Consistent application of handicapping rules
• Verification of each visitor’s membership and handicap
• Special offers for golfers

In mid 2002, Golf Australia, Member States and clubs re-evaluated the project and it was agreed that a minimal fee be introduced, to clubs utilizing the service, to cover the cost of the project. The fee agreed to was a charge to clubs of $2.50 (plus GST) per affiliated member. This allowed the upgrade of the system to more modern hardware & software including the development of a fully internet based system. The implementation of this new system commenced in mid 2003 and was rolled out to participating clubs by mid 2005. The system covers 80% (or more) of Australia’s club membership. This fee is covered for Bushranger Golf GAA affiliate handicap members in the fee of $105. For more information on the Golf Link system, click here for the GOLF Link website. For more information on Golf Access Australia, click here for the GAA page on the Golf Australia website.