For the first time, golfers can hold a handicap without being a member of a golf club.
Scottish Golf released an app that they say is one of the biggest changes in the sport in a generation.
They will be the first UK and Ireland governing bodies to adopt such a system and England and Wales will follow suit.
Golfers across Scotland can access the OpenPlay app for £ 5.99 per month.
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It is hoped that the app will allow younger players to get more involved in the sport
(Image: Martin Cairns)
Subscriptions are monthly with no long term commitment and it is hoped that it will open handicaps to an estimated half a million golfers in Scotland who are not currently a member of a golf club.
You must register the results of 54 holes of golf, which can be any combination of 18 and 9 hole rounds, before receiving your OpenPlay handicap.
The app offers free GPS for the distance of 36,000 golf courses, 50% discount on golf booking fees and an exclusive OpenPlay green fee.
Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Golf, said, “The way people play golf has changed dramatically in recent years as golfers seek a more flexible approach to the sport that fits and works with their lifestyle fits their other obligations.
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Traditional club memberships are believed to be inconsistent with the lifestyle of a modern golfer or simply not good value for money.
According to Scottish Golf, the long-term trend before the pandemic saw a consistent decline of around 5,000 members per year over the past 10 years.
They hope to reverse this trend and say they want to, “Explore alternative approaches to ensure the game remains relevant and accessible to the modern golfer and (hope) more people are trying the sport for the first time.”
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In New Zealand, where a similar initiative was launched in 2018, 20% of those who joined the independent golf program became club members.
Significantly, the average age of these new members was about 20 years younger than the average golf club member.
Initial feedback from the app shows that it benefits causal gamblers, with one saying they were happy with the app because they weren’t playing enough to justify the cost of membership.
Another user was happy to pay a fee to Scottish Golf saying: ” Registration was very easy and I think the idea of paying a fee to Scottish Golf is a good one to give me at least a real handicap reflection. “
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