Approved by USGA as Alternative to Traditional Paper Scorecards
Wayne, PA, – Golf Genius Software (GGS) announced today it has added a new “digital scorecard” option to the live scoring capabilities of its tournament management platform. This digital scorecard experience supports the traditional “marker” convention used in competitive golf tournaments. With paper scorecards, players in a group exchange cards, and a designated player is the official scorer or marker for one or more other players. The marker can also note their own score, which is referred to as “marker’s notes”. At the end of the round, players compare hole-by-hole scores, verify scores and certify their scorecards. This traditional scoring convention is now comprehensively supported as a fully digital process when using USGA TM Club Premium, USGA TM Association or Golf Genius TM Club Premium.
GGS has worked closely with the USGA to implement an approach that aligns with the Rules of Golf as an alternative to the paper scorecard. Gareth Londt, Managing Director of GHIN and IT at the USGA, commented: “The COVID-19 pandemic has driven golf innovation and new ways of thinking, and golfers and administrators directly benefit from these new tools. A digital scorecard is one more way golf can be more sustainable while promoting a game that is connected and contactless at the same time.”
Chris Kallmeyer, Golf Genius Co-CEO, added: “Demand for live scoring had been growing steadily since we introduced this capability in our mobile apps in 2013, but usage skyrocketed this year as associations and clubs looked for solutions to support contactless golf. We have been working with the USGA and other partners to take live scoring to the next level by reducing or eliminating the role of paper scorecards. While the pandemic has created an urgent need for contactless golf practices, digital scorecards also represent an example of how the embrace of digital technology can benefit the future of the game.”
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), a longtime Golf Genius partner, plans to immediately adopt the new digital scorecard experience. Mark Oskarson, AJGA Chief Operating Officer, stated: “We have successfully used Golf Genius live scoring for hundreds of junior competitions since 2018, and a digital scorecard process that replaces paper has been a goal of ours for some time. We had the opportunity to share our needs with the Golf Genius team and are very pleased with the introduction of this important new capability.”
The new digital scorecard option is available immediately to USGA TM Club Premium, USGA TM Association, and Golf Genius TM Club Premium customers. Golfers simply refresh their Golf Genius mobile apps and the digital scorecard will be activated. When a tournament administrator specifies digital scorecards for an event, each player will be assigned a unique Golf Genius ID (GGID) and can assume the role as marker for other players in their group.
Click here to watch a video and get an in-depth look of the new digital scorecard feature.
About Golf Genius Software
Golf Genius Software provides innovative and reliable software solutions to private clubs, public courses, resorts, and golf associations around the world. The company’s flagship product, Golf Genius Tournament Management, is the most widely used and fully-featured tournament management system available today. Golf Genius Golf Shop is a simple and powerful productivity system for managing special order merchandise, tracking demo club inventory, and enhancing member communication.
Golf Genius Software serves golf professionals at over 9,000 private clubs, public courses, resorts, and golf associations in 53 countries, including virtually every state and regional golf association in the United States. Golf Genius Software has more than 90 employees, including 38 PGA professionals, with sales and support operations in the United States, Canada, the UK, Europe and Australia. For more information about Golf Genius Software, please visit golfgenius.com.
About The USGA
The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
