England Golf’s project to provide non-members with a World Handicap System Index is hitting new highs
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
There were some who thought it would destabilise club membership and send golfers running for cheaper options. Uncouple handicaps from membership and the whole pack of cards might fall down.
But iGolf has proven a boon in a post-Covid participation boom and England Golf’s scheme, which provides non-members with a World Handicap System index in return for an annual subscription, is hitting new heights.
Launched in 2021, it now boasts more than 60,000 subscribers and has just come off its best couple of months for sign-ups. More than 5,220 joined in April, which was a record month, before that figure was shattered by the 5,686 golfers who subscribed in May.
iPlay, which gives users free-to-use functionality within the MyEG app, also saw 1,284 sign-ups in May, beating the 1,182 who downloaded in April.
Richard Flint, England Golf’s chief operating officer, said: “The figures so far this year have been tremendous and show that our game is thriving.
“With our new 2025-2030 strategy being launched just last month, a key focus for us is inspiring more people to take up the game, and the fact the more people are signing up to iPlay and iGolf, and that more scores are being entered for handicapping purposes, is testament to the great work the team are doing.”
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April saw more than 1.4 million scores submitted through the handicap system, with 1.59 million more pushed through in May. Last month’s numbers were the highest number of scores ever submitted in a calendar month – beating the previous August 2024 record of 1.57 million and an 18% increase on May last year.
This progress all follows a 2024 with an incredible 10.2 million scores recorded.
iGolf was always conceived by the governing body as a potential pathway into membership. It has served as a bridge for those dipping their toe into the water – whether they were starting out in golf or returning to the game after a break.
England Golf have previously said more than 16,500 iGolf subscribers have made the transition into club membership – with more than 4,000 of those doing so in 2025 alone.
iPlay, which launched in 2023 and is a free service within the MyEG app, is also allowing golfers to enter their scores at golf courses and golf facilities, including adventure golf courses, and providing them with an ‘average score indicator’.
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Flint added: “April’s records perhaps could have been attributed to the great weather and the ‘Rory factor’ after his (McIlroy) amazing Grand Slam achievement, but it seems the feel-good factor around the game has continued to inspire plenty more in May.
“The hard work won’t stop there though. At England Golf, we are committed to driving inclusivity and accessibility within the game, and we want as many people as possible to pick up a club, whether that’s at a driving range or a crazy golf course, because it’s clear that so many pick up the bug and don’t want to stop!
“The pathway is there for anyone and everyone. iPlay is there to support beginners and those playing who aren’t yet ready for a handicap, iGolf is there for people ready to obtain a handicap or for those who can’t justify a club membership, and then of course, we have over 1,735 clubs around the country which cater for a whole host of people wanting to be a member of a club and play regularly.”
Visit englandigolf.co.uk or www.englandgolf.org/iplay for more details.
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
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