Scotland Launches Handicaps' Smartcard

Scottish Golf has launched a £3 million centralised handicap system using smartcard technology to manage and process the country's 250,000 club members more effectively.

Golfers will be issued with their own personalised Scottish Golf smartcard enabling them to update their handicap at the touch of a button.

Scottish Golf - a partnership between the Scottish Golf Union, the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association and Scotland OnLine - will provide every golf club in the country with free computer hardware and other equipment.

Bill Anderson, chairman of Scottish Golf, said: "The new system will bring benefits to everyone involved in golf, whether players, administrators or clubs, and will ultimately contribute to the long-term success of the game in Scotland."

The centralised system was first conceived three years ago by the Scottish Golf Union and trials using the new technology were carried out earlier this year at six clubs in the west of Scotland. A loyalty scheme will be attached to the smartcards with members collecting Golf Yards which can be exchanged for benefits and discounts.

The new technology will also be used to create a fully integrated on-line tee booking system as well as further developing the web site, www.scottishgolf.com, which will provide up-to-the-minute golf news and competition results, hotel and travel information and on-line merchandise.