An Active Season is the period of time when acceptable scores from a specified area should be submitted for handicap purposes. The Rules of Handicapping stipulates that every player is responsible for submitting all acceptable scores into one’s scoring record for rounds played on courses during the active season.
It is the responsibility of authorized provincial golf association to declare active and inactive seasons, with area clubs and players required to observe these dates for score posting purposes. To make this process easier, the Golf Canada Score Centre automatically considers the active season of the course being played when a score is posted and whether it should be included in calculating a player’s Handicap Index.
In Canada, the active season in each province is as follows:
BC = Mar.1 – Nov.15
AB = Mar.1 – Oct.31
SK = Apr.15 – Oct.31
MB = Apr.15 – Oct.31
ON = Apr.15 – Oct.31
QC = Apr.15 – Oct.31
NS = Apr.15 – Oct.31
NB = May.1 – Oct.31
PE = Apr.16 – Nov.14
NL = Apr.1 – Nov. 30
(NOTE: Some Lower mainland and Vancouver Island courses may observe a year-round active season). For a list of clubs observing a year-round active season, please contact BC Golf
Scores made at any golf course observing an inactive season are not acceptable for handicap calculation purposes. This is because course conditions during inactive seasons are not consistent with the way that the Course & Slope Ratings were determined, which can impact the accuracy of a player’s Handicap Index.
Scores made at a golf course in an area observing an active season must be posted for handicap purposes, even if the golf club where the player is a member is observing an inactive season. The club’s Handicap Committee must make it possible for a player to post these away scores at the beginning of the active season.
It’s important to note that if you are travelling to other countries or regions, you should confirm their active seasons to ensure all acceptable scores are posted. Your home club needs all acceptable scores (even if played during a Canadian “off-season”) to ensure that your Handicap Index is accurate and reflects your demonstrated ability.
For example, if a player belonging to a golf club in Ontario plays golf in Florida (which observes a year-round active season) during January, any score(s) made in Florida are acceptable and must be submitted to the player’s scoring record. If the player is also a member of a golf club in Florida and Ontario, it is important to remember that all acceptable scores must be posted to each scoring record. The Golf Canada Score Centre has tools available to link Canadian and USGA accounts, so that a score posted to one account is automatically transferred to the other. For more information, or to set up this link, please contact members@golfcanada.ca or phone 1-800-263-0009 X399.
For a detailed list of active and inactive schedule in the United States, click here.
Under the “At-a-Glance” tab, click on the red button named “Handicap Lookup”
It can also be found in the menu bar located on the top right, beside your name and membership number.
What information is available through the Handicap Lookup? An integral aspect of the Rules of Handicapping is Peer Review, which is the process by which a score or Handicap Index can be confirmed or challenged. For Peer Review to take place, certain scoring and Handicap Index information must be made available to other golfers (as outlined in Appendix B of the Rules of Handicapping). The golfer’s Handicap Index information is also made available through the lookup.
The General Scoring Record is accessible by the Handicap Committee and Golf Canada members within the golf club (i.e. fellow members at the club where you hold membership). It includes information about each of the rounds played; including date (day/month/year), course/tee information and score data.
The Condensed Scoring Record is accessible by the larger audience of Golf Canada members. The same score data is displayed, however, for data privacy reasons the exact day and the course where the round was played are omitted.
I am a club staff member, how can I verify a Handicap Index?
Staff members of Golf Canada member clubs will continue to have access through their club admin account to the Handicap Lookup tool. If you are a club staff member of a Golf Canada member club, your club should already have an established admin account that would have access to all your members roster handicap details and the ability to use the handicap lookup function for members outside your club roster.
Ensure that you are under the club admin section, this should be the initial viewing display for your account, if not, it can be selected in the menu bar located on the top right, beside your club name and membership number.
To view a roster member’s current handicap information, proceed to the “Member Roster” tab.
Search for the member in the search bar or scroll through the list of members. If your club holds a large member roster, it would be effective to use the search bar.
Once you have located the member, their handicap information will be identified under the “Hcp” column.
To view their course handicap, under “Course Hcp” column click on “View”, Score Centre will open a new page which will present their course handicap for your course. However, you can select the option to change courses on this page, if necessary.
Click on the menu bar located on the top right, beside your club’s name and membership number.
Select the Handicap Lookup function from the menu bar and input their membership number or their full name (last name, first name).
I am not from Canada; how can I verify the Handicap Index of a golfer playing in an international event?
If you are not a member of Golf Canada and require the handicap index information for a desired player whether it be for event purposes or member guest access requirements, we suggest you ask the member to either provide you their World Handicap System (WHS) approved handicap card that can be found in their membership account. Alternatively, you may contact members@golfcanada.ca for these inquiries.
I am a Golf Canada member, playing in an event outside of Canada where a Handicap Index is required. How can I provide proof of my Handicap Index?
As Golf Canada is the sole provider of an official Handicap Index in Canada your handicap is recognized worldwide. If an official Handicap Index is required or requested to play internationally whether recreationally or competitively, members of Golf Canada can provide their Handicap Index through the Golf Canada mobile application, email or print version of their handicap card, or contact Golf Services to provide your Handicap Index credentials. If you are a member of a golf club associated to Golf Canada, you can provide a club contact such as a staff member or handicap committee to the organizing committee and/or club. Please see below to follow instructions on how to obtain your handicap card through your member account.
Mobile App
Handicap Card (Membership Card) in the Golf Canada Mobile Application:
If you have yet to download our mobile, click on this link Golf Canada Mobile,
Once the application has been downloaded, login to your Golf Canada account.
There are two options to provide the organizing committee or golf club with your Handicap Index. In the Golf Canada application, you can provide your Handicap Index through the “Profile” tab or the “More” tab.
In the “Profile” tab in the mobile application you can find your handicap index as such in the image below with highlight sections in red.
In the “More” tab in the mobile application you can find your handicap index through membership card section as per the image below.
Click on the “Membership card” tab in the red section found under your Membership number.
In the “At-a-Glance” tab and click on the “View All” link under the recent rounds section. This can be found in the picture below highlighted in yellow.
In the “View All” section you will see the “Handicap Card” tab.
Once you have entered the “Handicap Card” tab you will see the option to either “Print” or “Email” your card.
The Royal Canadian Golf Association, operating as Golf Canada (“Golf Canada” or “we” or “us” or “our), recognizes the importance our members, donors, customers, volunteers, spectators, visitors to our websites, Score CentreTM, and users of our mobile applications place on the privacy of their information (collectively referred herein to “you” or “yours” or “users” “or “individuals”).
The Golf Canada Foundation, a separate legal entity that is administered in part by Golf Canada, has adopted this Privacy Policy in its entirety. All references to Golf Canada can and shall be replaced with “Golf Canada Foundation” in transactions or data collection conducted by the Golf Canada Foundation.
This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) demonstrates our firm commitment to protecting the privacy of your information, as described below. Providing exceptional services involves collecting, using, and sharing Personal Information about individuals. This Policy outlines how we protect your Personal Information, which is one of our highest priorities.
For this Policy, “Personal Information” means information about an identifiable individual (e.g. name, email address) or information that can be used to identify an individual or as further defined in applicable laws.
World Handicap System:
Golf Canada is the authorized national body responsible for implementing and administering the Rules of Handicapping in Canada in cooperation with provincial golf associations. Golf Canada is the only licensed association in Canada to provide an official calculated Handicap Index in accordance with the World Handicap System (WHS), which was launched in 2020. For detailed information regarding how we collect, use and share Personal Information with the World Handicap System, and what your rights are as it relates to the information we share with the WHS, please refer to the FAQ: World Handicap System (WHS) and Your Information.
Who Does This Policy Apply To?
Golf Canada collects, protects, uses, and shares information gathered from our interactions with you through the use of our products, services, visits to our websites, including, www.golfcanada.ca, https://ecomm.golfcanada.ca/, https://scg.golfcanada.ca/ (the “Websites” or the “Golf Canada Websites”), use of our mobile application (the “App”), and when you otherwise interact with us (collectively referred to as “Services”).
Our Websites and App may contain links to other third-party sites. When you click on one of these links, you are visiting a website operated by someone other than us, and the operator of that website may have different privacy policies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to investigate the privacy policies of these third-party operators.
Policy Changes:
This Policy was last updated March 21, 2024. We keep our Policy under regular review. We suggest that you review this Policy periodically as we may modify it from time to time as our Services evolve or as required by applicable laws.
What Personal Information We Collect and How We Collect It?
Information you provide to us:
When you use our Websites, App, or Services, you may be asked or you may choose to provide us with your Personal Information, which may include:
Information for registration purposes such as your name, gender, membership category, email address, contact numbers, date of birth, and postal address. We may occasionally ask you for demographic information to have a better understanding of our membership and services.
If you are a volunteer, in some instances we may request additional information such as your resume and background checks.
Password or other login credentials (selected by you) to create and access your accounts on the Websites or App.
Access to your contact emails to identify other Golf Canada App users and connect with golfers. This functionality allows you to send ‘Follow’ requests to existing users and ‘Invite’ non-users to use the Golf Canada App. We do not retain any external contact information.
Golf score posting information, including your scores, courses you play, date and game statistics, golf experience, and information related to your handicap. For more information, see FAQ: World Handicap System (WHS) and Your Information.
Credit card information, which is collected and processed by a third-party payment processor, if you make a purchase or donation through the Websites or App. We do not explicitly collect your credit card information, and your payment information is never stored.
Information we need to produce tax receipts for donors.
Precise geolocation information, with your explicit consent, so that we can provide you with ‘on-the-spot’ promotional offers and upgrades.
Health information if you submit a request to use motorized transportation at a Championship.
Financial information if you are applying for a subsidy for one of our programs.
Information you provide to us when you fill out a research survey, which you agree to participate in.
Information you submit when you contact us or post on our Websites or App.
We may require additional Personal Information depending on the Services you request, the type of transaction you conduct, and the various activities in which you participate.
The Golf Canada App may collect health-related data, including heart rate, distance walked, steps taken, calories burned, stand time, and elevation gained. Users must give their explicit consent before Golf Canada can collect any health-related data. This information is gathered to provide you with personalized insights and analysis to improve your overall well-being and golf performance.
Information we automatically collect:
Like most websites and applications, we may collect information about your visit, use and interaction with our Websites or App. We collect this information through the use of cookies, pixel tags, beacons and similar technologies. Although most of the information we collect is anonymized and aggregated usage data, such as how many individuals visited our Websites, peak hours of visits, and which page(s) were viewed, we may also collect the following:
Your Internet Protocol (IP) address, operating system, and browser type.
Usage information that may be associated with your IP address such as your preferred settings (including language settings), your “clickstream” data including the pages, content or ads you view or click on during your visit, how long you view a page, time stamps of your visit, and search terms you enter.
Geolocation information such as the country or province you are in when you view our Websites or use our App.
Please refer to Cookies and Other Technologies to learn more about what information we collect through the use of cookies and how you can exercise your choices.
Information we collect from third parties:
We may also receive information about you from third parties. For example, your golf club or provincial golf association may provide us with your information so that you can be a member of Golf Canada and enjoy the services we have to offer. We may also collect your personal information from our partners, such as Ticketmaster when you purchase a ticket for a tournament or otherwise interact with them about our events or Services.
How Do We Use Your Personal Information?
We may use your Personal Information for the following purposes:
Provide you with our services: For example, we may use your Personal Information to process and evaluate your membership application or application to participate in a tournament. We may also use your Personal Information to process transactions, such as payment for your membership or when you purchase a ticket for a tournament. Your personal information may also be used to determine your eligibility for subsidies.
Manage our programs: To manage tournaments, championships, and fundraising.
Track your playing statistics: To track your playing statistics and scoring record in the determination of your official Handicap Index in accordance with the World Handicap System and maintain the integrity of the handicap system. For more information, please see the FAQ: World Handicap System (WHS) and Your Information.
Communicate with you: To communicate with you or update you about your account, contests or your member benefits, our relationship, this Policy, or our Terms of Use. We may also send you newsletters, tailored advertisements, and push notifications, such as updates and notices about Golf Canada (or select third parties) products, services, events and benefits we think you would be interested in based on your history with us. Please see Your Rights Related to Personal Information for more information about how to opt-out of receiving promotional communications from us.
Respond to you: To respond to your inquiries and requests.
Process a donation: To process donations and payments, issue tax receipts, acknowledge donations, confirm renewal of ongoing donations, to keep you informed and to maintain a donation and benefit history.
Improve our services: To measure and understand the effectiveness of content on our Websites and App and understand your needs and interests so that we can personalize your experience. Aggregated usage data also allows us to provide you with better Services and improve our Websites and App. We may de-identify and/or aggregate your Personal Information in such a way that it cannot be used alone or in combination with other information to identify you. We may use this information for research purposes, or to learn about how we can improve the quality of our Services.
Security and safety purposes: To keep our Websites, App, programs, members, employees, partners, volunteers, donors, and users, safe and secure.
Pursuant to applicable law: To comply with our legal or regulatory obligations as well as to investigate suspected fraud, harassment, or other violations of any law, rule, or regulation, enforce the rules or policies of our Websites/App, or to investigate any suspected conduct which Golf Canada deems improper.
We will only use your Personal Information for purposes described in this Privacy Policy or for purposes that we inform you of at the time of collecting your information. If we intend to use your Personal Information for a new purpose, we will ask you for your consent first, unless we are otherwise permitted by law or court order.
Personal Information We Share with Third Parties
There are certain circumstances in which we may disclose, transfer, or share your Personal Information with certain third parties. We limit who we share your Personal Information with and how much information we disclose.
We may share your Personal Information with the following third parties:
Partners: Golf Canada shares Personal Information with third party partners that organize events, such as golf championships, or offer golf programs, such as First Tee, if you participate in those events or programs. Our partners use the information we share with them in accordance with their respective privacy policies, which may include sending you marketing communications. You should read their policies to become familiar with how they handle your information. One of our partners is PGA Tour, which co-hosts the RBC Canadian Open. If you are a participant or spectator at the tournament, your personal information, such as your name and email address will be shared with PGA Tour in order for them to organize the event. PGA Tour may also send you marketing communications. You should read their privacy policy to become familiar with how they handle your personal information.
Service providers: Golf Canada carefully selects service providers to assist us in providing you with Services such as managing our events, assisting us with ticket order fulfillment (e.g. Ticketmaster), helping us to operate and maintain our Websites and App, as well as marketing services. We also use payment processors to process payments securely on our behalf.
Score centre vendor: To maintain the integrity of the World Handicap System, if you post a score in the Score Centre, we are required to share your Personal Information with GolfNet to calculate your Handicap, which helps us govern the sport. We may also share your Personal Information as it relates to your handicap score with relevant golf clubs, vendors, contractors, and suppliers if they are involved in calculating your handicap score.
Other Golf Canada members: To facilitate peer review, individuals may have access to information about you that relates to your handicap score. For more information, please see FAQ: World Handicap System (WHS) and Your Information.
Affiliates and associations: To provide you with additional services and opportunities, we may share your Personal Information with our affiliates, such as provincial associations that you are also a member of through the joint-membership affiliation.
Acquirer or successor: We may share your information with an acquirer or successor entity in the event we, or a substantial portion of our assets, undergo a business restructuring, transfer of ownership, or similar transaction.
As required or authorized by applicable law: We may share your Personal Information in other circumstances if we are required or authorized to do so by applicable law. For example, we may share Personal Information with law enforcement, courts or government agencies with a court order. We may also share your information when we are investigating potential fraud.
We do not sell your Personal Information.
Our Use of Cookies and Other Technologies
When you visit our Websites or App, we may send your browser one or more cookies to improve the quality of our Services by storing user preferences and following user trends.
A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website or use a web-based application. The identifier relays information to us, such as what pages on our Website/App were visited. The term “cookie” is used in this Privacy Policy in the broad sense to include cookies and all similar technologies, including web beacons. Web beacons (sometimes called “tracking pixels”) are tiny graphic files that contain a unique identifier that enable us to recognize when someone visited our Websites or App.
Cookies provide us with information, which is not identifiable to you, in order to understand how users enter and navigate our Websites/App. They are also used to remember user preferences. This helps us better understand how we can develop and improve the design, layout, content and function of our Websites/App. Some cookies may be placed on our Websites/App by third parties to provide you with relevant advertising.
Types of cookies we may use. We may use the following types of cookies on our Websites/App:
Strictly Necessary Cookies. These essential cookies are necessary to provide you with our services and grant you access to our Websites/App. These cookies cannot be disabled.
Functional Cookies: These cookies allow us to remember your choices on our Websites/App and provide you with enhanced features and personalized content. For example, these cookies can be used to remember your log-in credentials or preferences on our Websites/App. While functional cookies can be disabled, this may result in less functionality while using our Websites/App.
Performance or Analytics Cookies. These cookies collect anonymous, passive information about how you use our Websites/App, including web pages you visit and links your click. We use the information collected by such cookies to improve and optimize our Websites/App.
Advertising cookies. These cookies are placed on our Websites/App by third parties. Third-party cookies may help us provide you with relevant advertising. The third-party advertisers may collect and use information about you and your visits to the Websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of such companies. We encourage you to read these businesses’ privacy policies to learn about how they treat your information.
Our Websites/App uses Google Analytics to allow us to analyze and enhance user experience and better understand how you interact with our Services. Your de-identified information is transmitted to Google, which provides us with aggregated statistical reports. For more information on how Google Analytics collects and processes information, please visit Google’s site “How Google uses data when you use our partners’ sites or apps” located at www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/. To opt-out of Google advertisements controlled by Google Analytics cookies, visit the Google Ads Preferences Manager located at https://google.com/ads/preferences.
How to manage cookies:
Most browsers are set up to accept cookies, however, you can reset your browser to reject cookies. You will need to follow the instructions contained in your browser’s help file (usually located within the “Help,” “Tools,” or “Edit” settings). If you choose to disable cookies, some of the functionalities on our Websites/App and other sites may be affected. Be aware that clearing your browser history will clear all of the cookies for all the sites you have visited, even those you have opted-in to. You may also lose saved login information and preferences for other websites.
How We Protect Your Personal Information?
We understand the importance of protecting your Personal Information and are committed to taking all reasonable steps to secure and protect your information from unauthorized access, use, loss, modification and disclosure.
We protect Personal Information using a range of measures, consistent with industry practices, including:
Physical measures, such as locked filing cabinets and restricted access to offices and facilities.
Organizational measures, such as employee security clearances (including a formal Volunteer and Staff Screening Policy and Code of Ethics) and restricted “need-to-know” access.
Technological measures, such as the use of passwords and intrusion detection software.
Any service providers performing services on our behalf must provide the same level of security safeguards as Golf Canada itself provides.
Using appropriate security measures when destroying Personal Information such as shredding of paper documents and deletion or anonymization of electronically stored information.
Continually reviewing and updating our security policies and controls as technology changes to ensure ongoing security.
While we take precautions to protect your Personal Information, it is important to note that no computer system or online communication is perfectly secure. As such, we cannot guarantee that information transmitted via our Services or stored on our servers will be free from unauthorized access. We encourage you to take appropriate steps to protect your information, including using a unique password and not sharing your password with anyone.
Your Rights Related to Personal Information
Correction:
We rely on you to provide us with accurate, complete and up-to-date information. If you need to update your Personal Information, you may do so directly in the App through your account or you may email us at privacy@golfcanada.ca (also see Contact Us). If you cannot update your information and you believe your Personal Information is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request, in writing, that we correct your record. You must be able to demonstrate the inaccuracy or incompleteness of the record and provide us with the information necessary to correct it.
Access:
You may also access your Personal Information by logging into your account via the App. If the information you are looking for is not in the App, you may send us a written request for a copy of your Personal Information.
We will respond to your request for access or correction within reasonable timelines, in accordance with applicable laws.
When we receive a written request for access, correction or withdrawal of consent, we will take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting you access or correcting your Personal Information. There may be limited exceptions in which your request may be denied, such as if we cannot verify your identity or in accordance with applicable law, in which case we will advise you of our reasoning for declining your request.
You can opt-out of receiving promotional emails from us. To do so, you can unsubscribe to our communications at any time by following the instructions in the communication or emailing us at privacy@golfcanada.ca with your request. Once we receive your request, we will remove you from our mailing list. Please note that you cannot unsubscribe from some emails such as those related to the provision of our Services, which you are registered for.
If you wish to stop receiving push notifications through the App or Score Centre, you may change the settings through the Account Settings of the Score Centre member area or your app.
You may deactivate your user account by contacting members@golfcanada.ca. We will remove your profile but may retain any record of your information that is necessary to comply with applicable laws or in accordance with the World Handicap System protocol.
Retention of personal information:
We keep Personal Information for as long as is reasonably necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected. We may also retain Personal Information if we have a legitimate business need to do so, or as required by law (e.g. for tax, legal, accounting or other purposes), whichever is the longer. Please see the FAQ: World Handicap System (WHS) and Your Information for information about how long your handicap score is retained.
Children:
We believe that the game of golf teaches children self-confidence, resilience and inner strength. Although we have members who are minors, we do not knowingly collect information from children under the age of 13 without the consent of their parents or legal guardian. If you are a parent or legal guardian who believes that we have inadvertently stored or collected Personal Information about your child without proper consent, please contact us and we will delete the information to the extent required by applicable law.
Children under the age of 13 should not provide their Personal Information to us through our Websites or App except under the supervision and with the permission of their parent or legal guardian.
If your child is a participant in our First Tee Program, we encourage you to read the First Tee Privacy Program to understand how we collect, use, and disclose your child’s Personal Information.
International transfers of personal information:
Although our Services are based in Canada, your Personal Information may be transferred to a jurisdiction outside of Canada, such as the United States. Privacy laws in different jurisdictions have varying levels of protection for your Personal Information, and such laws may not be as protective or comprehensive as those that exist in your home jurisdiction.
Contact Us
We welcome your questions and comments about privacy. Please feel free to contact us by emailing our Privacy Officer at privacy@golfcanada.ca, calling us at (905) 849-9700 extension 226, or writing us at:
Golf Canada is aware that interaction and communication occurs frequently on social media. Golf Canada cautions that any conduct falling short of the standard of behaviour required by this Social Media Policy and the Code of Conduct and Ethics may be subject to the disciplinary sanctions identified within the Discipline and Complaints Policy. Review the Social Media Policy.
Golf Canada and our Provincial Golf Associations are proud to help provide youth with access to affordable golf through our partnership with Youth on Course. Golf teaches important social, mental, and physical skills and each round is filled with learning potential. Whether it’s early morning, after school or twilight hours, participating courses offer up blocks of tee times throughout the week for Youth on Course members to play for $5 or less. We subsidize the cost of our members’ rounds to keep the price tag affordable, sending more families through our partner courses’ doors.
Become a Member
Receive member-exclusive benefits for the low price of $59.95 for a full 12 months of membership. One of the many benefits of your Golf Canada membership will be access to Youth on Course.
Golf Canada members* ages 6-18 will automatically receive a Youth on Course membership.
Youth on Course members can play a round of golf for $5 or less at participating courses.
Members have access to Youth on Course at participating golf courses in Canada.
Members have access to the US network of over 2,000 golf courses in all 50 states and Australia.
*in BC, AB, ON, NB, NS, PE, and NL
Download the free Youth on Course Mobile App
Once you have purchased a membership, you will receive a welcome email from Youth on Course within 24 to 48 hours with a link to download the Youth on Course mobile app. Within the app you can access your digital membership card, track your rounds, and find courses in your area.
*Once downloaded, select the “Youth on Course” membership button to create your member app account using your membership information (name, member number, date of birth, and email address tied to membership).Your Golf Canada membership number is the same as your Youth on Course membership number.
Participating Courses
Golf courses in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada are offering junior golf rounds for $5 or less through Youth on Course. Check out which golf courses are participating, rates and availability before booking your tee time!
Looking to offer Youth on Course at your facility?
For individual courses looking to join Youth on Course’s network, general managers and head professionals can sign up their facilities by filling out an online interest form. In return, facilities will receive subsidies for each round played at $5 or less during one of the designated times for Youth on Course members.
Fueling the golf industry, Youth on Course subsidizes rounds for members and puts money back into provincial golf associations and individual courses. The organization’s structure helps golf courses fill typically unused tee times and garner additional revenue with more than 40% of members playing with paying adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I play golf for $5 or less?
Visit the Youth on Course Directory to see which courses partner with Youth on Course and view the availability by club before booking your tee time. Check with the course you want to play at – each course has certain times during the week that they offer Youth on Course.
What are the age restrictions for Youth on Course?
Youth are eligible for Youth on Course membership when they turn 6 years old. The membership is valid until their 19th birthday.
How long does my Youth on Course membership last?
Once you sign up for a Golf Canada Membership you can access Youth on Course all season long as many times as you want. You will have to renew your Golf Canada Membership after 12 months to access Youth on Course for the following season.
Your membership can also be used to establish a handicap to use to track your progress. The World Handicap System helps make the game of golf more enjoyable by allowing golfers of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis.
When will I get my membership number?
After you sign up, you will receive an email from Youth on Course within 24 hours with your number and a link to complete the online curriculum. If you already have a membership number from another club, be sure to sign up with that number to avoid being assigned a new one.
Do I have to take a curriculum?
Yes. After joining for the first time, you will need to complete the online curriculum to activate your membership number. You will get the link via email to the online curriculum after joining, and it takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Does my son or daughter have to play with a paying adult?
If they are under the age of 12, youth will have to play with a paying adult. If they are 12 or older, they can play alone or with a friend but must be course ready and know basic golf etiquette.
How much does a Youth on Course membership cost?
You must join Golf Canada to become a Youth on Course member. The cost of this membership is $59.95 and gets you access to unlimited $5 greens fees at participating courses during select times.
How do I renew my Youth on Course membership?
Your Youth on Course membership is connected to your Golf Canada membership. For public player members (those who purchased a membership directly from Golf Canada), your Golf Canada membership automatically renews 10 days prior to the expiry date. If you have any questions or wish to cancel your Golf Canada membership, please contact members@golfcanada.ca.
For club members (those who receive a Golf Canada membership from their golf club), please contact your club administrator to renew your Golf Canada membership.
COVID-19
Terry Lenyk
COVID-19
UPDATES AND RESOURCES
Golf Canada is committed to fostering a safe sport environment. Through this difficult and unprecedented crisis, that commitment includes the health and well-being of golfers as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live and play. Our thoughts are with those personally affected by the virus including their families, our most vulnerable citizens and the incredible health care workers who are facing the pandemic on the front lines.
Our industry is fortunate to have a wide-ranging support network of provincial, national and international partners bringing together their expertise to help Canadian golf navigate through the uncertainty of COVID-19.
Collaboration and information sharing are critical during this challenging time and Golf Canada has created the resource page below with helpful links to support our member clubs, golfers and our many industry partners coming together during this crisis. The resource page will be updated regularly as information and updates become available.
GOLF’S PLAYBOOK FOR CANADA
Golf’s Playbook for Canada is a collaborative effort between Golf Canada, Professional Golfers’ Association of Canada, Canadian Society of Club Managers, and Canadian Golf Superintendent Association. This is a resource for golfers to understand and navigate the golf experience through the COVID-19 pandemic.
To All Golf Canada Members and Member Clubs, Along with the rest of the globe, Canada is dealing with a debilitating health crisis with COVID-19. Golf Canada is committed to fostering a safe sport environment. Together with our partners at the Provincial Golf Associations, that commitment includes the health and well-being of golfers as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live and play.
We Are Golf (The National Allied Golf Associations/NAGA) are committed to ensuring the health and safety of our members, golfers, staff, volunteers and industry stakeholders as well as every Canadian in the communities where we live, work and play. Click here to read the full statement. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, We Are Golf (The National Allied Golf Associations/NAGA) has postponed National Golf Day in Canada, originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Click here to read more.
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA (COVID-19) LINKS
Golf Canada fully supports the recommendations and guidelines of Health Canada, the World Health Organization and regional public health experts to prevent the community spread of COVID-19.
Golf Canada and the Golf Canada Foundation have joined together to launch the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND, to support golf courses in helping employees and golfers stay safe while also thanking front-line workers through encouraging additional play and welcoming juniors to further experience the game. Click here to learn more about the RELIEF FUND.
Click here to donate to the COVID-19 GOLF RELIEF FUND
SUPPORT FROM GOLF CANADA’S PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
Resources from Golf Canada’s professional advisors outlining the various government programs being implemented to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This overview is subject to change as the pandemic progresses.
Webinar: Risk Management Strategies for the Golf Industry amid COVID-19 VIDEO I PRESENTATION I WAIVER(Cowan Insurance Group, Sport Law & Strategy Group, Signature Risk Partners Inc. and Golf Canada, May 7, 2020)
Webinar: Cash flow and Government Relief in the time of COVID-19 VIDEO(BDO Canada & Golf Canada, April 20, 2020)
Comparison of Financial Relief Measures Announced by Canadian Governments – RESOURCE(Stikeman Elliott LLP, April 14, 2020)
Golf Canada continues to evaluate all aspects of our business and take precautions for the well being of our athletes, staff, coaches, partners and volunteers. Cost controls and risk mitigation protocols have been enacted and we are working with our provincial, national and international partners along with our member clubs to gather the information we need to make informed and responsible decisions.
The impact of COVID-19 continues to be the defining narrative in Canadian golf media. Below is a collection of relevant articles about the ongoing impact of the virus on Canadian golf:
Golf Canada and the Provincial Golf Associations value the long-standing support of our members and member clubs. We understand the tremendous impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on everyone’s lives, both personally and professionally. During this challenging time, we are continuing to provide service, support and guidance for all member clubs and golfers. Please email or call with any questions or concerns.
Jeff Hutt Regional Director, Atlantic Canada 506-260-6599 I jhutt@golfcanada.ca
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PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER The Site cannot and does not contain professional, business, medical or mental health advice in respect of Covid-19. The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of professional, business, medical or mental health advice, other than those based on personal experience. THE USE OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
The newest update for the Golf Canada Mobile App is live. The main enhancements to the app are focused on expanding the social and interactive elements to allow you to celebrate and share your golf outings with friends. Specifically, we’ve added the ability to:
Add Friends / Friends System: Find and request to add your golfing buddies as Friends in the Golf Canada Mobile App so they can see, like and comment on your golf scores, photos and videos
“News Feed” Of Your Friends’ Scores, Status Updates, Photos and Videos: The home screen of the Golf Canada Mobile App has been revamped as a Facebook-like feed of your friends’ golf scores, status updates, and the likes and comments they leave or receive
Attach Photos & Videos To Your Scores: You can now upload / attach one or more photos or videos you take out on the course to the golf scores you post to the Golf Canada Mobile App so your Friends and view, like and comment upon them
Post A Non-Score Status Update (+ Photos, Videos): If you’re not interested in tracking your score on a particular outing, you can post a Status Update and let your friends see where you’re playing today and attach up to 10 photos or videos
Get Notified About New Likes, Comments, & Your Friends’ Scores and Outings: You can now choose whether or not to receive an e-mail or push notification if someone leaves you a like or comment, if your friends post a new Score or Status Update, or if you receive a new Friend request
Set A Profile Photo: Now that we’ve gone social, you can edit your own profile and upload a profile photo to represent you in the Golf Canada Mobile App
Track Health Information and Gain Insights: Discover new health tracking features with the app. Monitor key metrics like heart rate, distance walked, steps taken, calories burned, stand time, and elevation gained during your rounds.
Of course, all existing functionality continues to work as before. The Golf Canada Mobile App will continue to provide hole-by-hole data for over 1,400 golf clubs in Canada, has the only free Apple Watch integration for your hole-by-hole GPS mapping available in Canada, and is your guide to the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open as an attendee.
How do I find and add new friends in the Golf Canada Mobile App?
If you’re not already on the home screen, tap Home in the bottom button bar of the Golf Canada Mobile App. Next, in the top-left corner of the screen, look for the icon of two people / heads with a + icon on top. Tap this button and you’ll get access to a search bar, some suggestions for people you may know, and an option to connect to your phonebook and quickly add people you know who are Golf Canada members.
How do I set a profile photo for myself?
Tap Profile in the bottom button bar of the Golf Canada Mobile App. Next, tap the red Edit My Profile button. Finally, tap the Add Profile Photo button to take a photo or select one from your phone’s photo gallery. Hit Save to apply the change and set your new photo.
How do I upload or attach a photo to an existing Score I posted to the app?
Either on the Home screen, or by tapping the Profile button in the bottom button bar of the Golf Canada Mobile App, and find the Score you’d like to attach the photo(s) or video(s) to. (If you’ve gone through the Profile area to find the score, tap Edit Score.) Find the Add Media section, and select and upload the photos and videos you’d like to add.
How do I unsubscribe from emails or push notifications about new likes, comments, or when my friends post a Score or Status Update?
All notifications you receive via e-mail will have a link to manage your communication preferences in the footer. Tap or click that link and you may choose to disable any or all notifications from the Golf Canada Mobile App.
I saw / I received an unwanted comment or photo in the Golf Canada Mobile App. How can I get it removed?
All comments, photos, videos and Status Updates have a “Report” feature available. Look for and tap the icon of three dots in the top-right corner. For comments you receive on your Scores or Status Updates, we’ll automatically hide it and report it to Golf Canada staff. For comments, photos or videos by others, we’ll report it for Golf Canada staff to investigate.
Can I use any of these new social features on the Web?
Sorry; at this time this functionality is limited to the Golf Canada Mobile App.
I have a question or feedback about the app. Who should I contact?
For all matters concerning the mobile app, please contact Golf Canada Golf Services at:
Posting your scores is important to maintain a consistent Handicap Index as part of the unified World Handicap System.
As a safety measure under COVID-19 protocols, golfers are not permitted to use kiosks found at local clubs or pro shops until further notice to reduce social touch points.
Login at golfcanada.ca
Visit golfcanada.ca
Click “Post a Score”
Login using your member credentials
If you have forgotten your password, follow the prompts or click here
Post your score
Choose the golf course
Enter all applicable information
Members are encouraged to post scores hole-by-hole in order to ensure the correct adjustment of Net Double Bogey (your maximum hole score for handicap purposes)
Post using the Golf Canada mobile app
Open the mobile app on your Apple or Android device
Tap the Post a Score button
Choose the golf course
Members are encouraged to enter hole-by-hole scores
Post your score
How do I track my stats?
Members can enter their statistics for each game by selecting which stats they wish to maintain such as Fairways in Regulation (FIR), Putts, Penalty Strokes, Driving Distance etc.
Post their score Hole-By-Hole and select “Yes” in the “Track Stats” bar.
Enter in the statistical fields they wish to track and click “Post Score.”
How do I delete or edit a score?
Members can edit their scores at any time but can only delete an unedited score within 24 hours from the time the score was posted. After 24 hours or if an edit has been made, only the club administrator can delete a score. Scores that are edited will be denoted by a “#” beside the score in the scoring record.
Click on the “Pencil” icon to the right of the appropriate score.
Make the adjustment(s) to the score and click “Post Score.”
There may be some clubs that have changed their default setting (which may not allow golfers to edit or delete at all).
What if the course I played isn’t found in the directory?
If the club a golfer is looking for is not listed, please notify Golf Canada at members@golfcanada.ca or 1.800.263.0009 x4520. All member courses in Canada will appear in the course directory. Please note that courses that are not current members in Canada do not have valid course and slope ratings and scores from these courses cannot be entered for handicap purposes.
Not a member? Join Canada’s largest golf community here.
Golf Canada signs extension with GolfNet as handicap and score posting technology partner
Golf Canada
Golf Canada is pleased to announce a five-year extension with GolfNet as the exclusive handicap and score posting technology partner for Canada’s National Sport Federation for golf.
GolfNet has been providing the score posting technology for the Golf Canada Score Centre which serves as the hub for the majority of club, provincial and national golfer engagement for the past 13 years.
Score posting along with the ability for golfers of all skill level to track their games, scoring statistics, earn badges and ringer cards, is a foundational pillar of Golf Canada’s membership program which is administered in partnership with the 10 provincial golf associations.
In 2016, more than 238,000 Canadian golfers posted nearly 7.1 million scores online to the Golf Canada Score Centre, the Golf Canada mobile app, or through scoring kiosks at golf facilities from coast to coast.
As part of the extended partnership, GolfNet will also provide tournament management software to Golf Canada member clubs at no charge. In addition, clubs can also access the innovative StrackaLine shot tracking software which can be licensed for daily use at a fraction of retail pricing.
“GolfNet has been a strong partner for the past decade and we are proud to continue our relationship in delivering quality score posting experiences to Canadian golfers of all abilities,” said Golf Canada interim CEO Jeff Thompson. “We have been working closely with the provinces to enhance our value proposition to both golfers and our member clubs, especially through our Golf Canada Score Centre platform. We’re also pleased to offer additional daily use software and technology to member clubs that represent a critical engagement touchpoint with golfers.”
The agreement, which extends through 2021, will see GolfNet take an active role in helping Golf Canada and the provincial golf associations increase its membership base that currently includes 306,650 golfers and 1,403 member clubs. The entire Canadian golf landscape includes nearly 5.7 million golfers who play 60 million rounds annually at nearly 2,300 facilities across the country.
“Our live scoring and tournament technology is used by thousands of clubs in North America and we are extremely proud to continue working with our Canadian partners,” said GolfNet CEO Jim Stracka. “Canada represents a massive audience of golfers and it’s exciting to see Golf Canada and the provinces take an innovative approach to golfer engagement through technology.”
Through the agreement, Golf Canada and the provincial golf associations will have full access to the StrackaLineTM software and technology for any member facility that is hosting a national or provincial golf championship at no additional licensing fee. Previously licensed for use by the PGA TOUR in its Shot Tracker online software, the StrackaLine platform is a patented technology utilising 3D laser scans to create topography maps of putting greens.
Canadian golf facilities and member clubs looking for more information about tools and technology available through the Golf Canada Score Centre can contact members@golfcanada.ca.
When the non-avid golfer thinks of the game, I’m willing to bet their immediate thoughts are classic stroke play, accompanied with your usual scorecard and pencil—but it doesn’t have to be.
Golf can be played in many forms. Throughout history, new game formats have continued to spring up, providing a different look at fun and enjoyment of your round. Some formats have been developed to include adjustments for Handicaps for social or competitive events. Others are variations on stroke play which allow the round to be posted in your Handicap—provided you track your hole-by-hole score.
There are a variety of different games you can play on course for you and your playing partners (single or team games) that you can try the next time you hit the course. We encourage you to try one or speak to other golfers to find others—you’ll never know unless you try one.
a) Wolf
A group of four golfers can play this game with all players playing independently. The goal is to be the player with the most points at the end of the round.
The order of play is decided on the first tee. The “Wolf” is always the last player to tee off. The teeing order—regardless of who has the honour—rotates on every hole so that each player becomes the Wolf once every four holes.
Once each player in the group hits his or her tee shot, the Wolf decides whether or not to team up with anyone for the hole. If not, the Wolf plays the hole as the “Lone Wolf” – in which case the objective is to beat the three other players with the lowest net score on the hole.
Every hole is played as a net best ball with only the best score of each team being used.
If the Wolf chose a partner and they win the hole, both receive two points.
If the non-Wolf partners win the hole, they get three points apiece.
If the Lone Wolf beats all the other players, he/she receives four points.
If the Lone Wolf gets beat by any player in the opposing group, everyone in the group except the Lone Wolf receives one point.
NOTE: There are variations to this game. For instance, you can be “Blind Wolf” (like a poker player going all-in without even looking at his or her cards before the flop) declaring before the hole that you’re going solo.
b) Skins
The first step is to assign a point amount to each hole. Each player in the group contributes a predetermined amount for the “kitty” on each of the holes. The lowest net score on each hole wins the skin. Should more than one player tie a hole, the skin carries over. Whoever wins the next hole outright wins the skin for that hole as well as any skins that carried over.
You might be struggling for the first five holes, but it’s possible that all five of those were carried over with tying scores—giving you a chance to catch lightning in a bottle and birdie the 6th hole to win the lot (along with a good ribbing from your group).
Some variations are used in skins: for instance, a player who wins skins needs to “carry over” to “validate” them on the next hole. They must at least match the lowest score on the next hole to collect the skins. If another player records a lower score on the next hole, he or she can steal the skins, but then must also validate (unless this happens on the final hole, in which case the match is simply over.
c) Nassau
The Nassau format can be broken up into three components: low front nine score, low back nine score and low total score. If you’re in a foursome, you might decide on a $2 Nassau. If you lose all your bets, the most you can lose is $6. If you win all three, you win $18 ($6 from each of the other three players in your group).
NOTE: a variation of this game is to introduce a “press.” A “press” is a second call/game that runs concurrently with the original game. The second game is usually for the same amount as the first game.
d) Combination Shot Game
Below are some ideas you can combine different smaller game formats throughout the round.
Greenies: a point is awarded for hitting the green in regulation. Points accumulate within the group, and the player with the most points at the end of the round wins this category.
Chippies a point is awarded for chipping in from off the green. Points accumulate within the group, and the player with the most points at the end of the round wins this category.
Barkies: a point is awarded for hitting a tree and still making par. Points accumulate within the group, and the player with the most points at the end of the round wins this category.
Double barkies: a point is awarded for hitting two trees and still making par. Points accumulate within the group, and the player with the most points at the end of the round wins this category.
Fishies: a point is awarded for making par on a hole in which you found the water. Points accumulate within the group, and the player with the most points at the end of the round wins this category.
Sandies: a point is awarded for getting out of a bunker and making par. Points accumulate within the group, and the player with the most points at the end of the round wins this category.
Note: You are free to make up new games or to change the game name to suit your purposes. The important thing is to put some spice into the game.
You can accumulate ALL POINTS within each category above or a mix of a couple categories for a complete point total for all players within the group, the player with the most points within the group wins.
