Competition FAQs

FAQs relating to the Linksnet season and competition.

General

Season 4 starts Thursday 2 March 2023 and will close at midnight UK time on Sunday 29 October 2023. 

All scores must be received with verification within 28 days of the round played. However only rounds from 2 March onwards can be submitted.

What's the difference between my Dashboard and my Profile?

Your Dashboard is what you see when you log into Linksnet and can also be accessed via the top right navigation. This is where all your activity is logged and you can see your Calendar items and your avatar.

Your Profile is what everyone else sees following a member search. This shows your activity as well as your avatar and your background image, an image which is not shown on your Dashboard view. Your Profile also shows your personal info message and your golf club.

How do I earn Linksnet points and how do my scores get converted into Linksnet points?

Members can enter individual scores which are registered on their World Handicap record, as well as Match Play scores against other Linksnet members. Match Play wins earn 120 points, Match Play draws earn 110 points whilst a loss earns 100 points.

For all individual scores submitted we use the following calculation to work out Playing Handicap:

Handicap Index x Slope/113 x 0.95

This figure is not rounded.

To then calculate the Linksnet points we use the following calculation:

10 x (Playing Handicap + Course Rating - Adjusted Gross) + 100.

This figure is then rounded to give a whole number which is the Linksnet points for that score.

Anything 10 over par net will always be shown as 0 points.

The leaderboard is based on your 6 best scores only although only 3 of those 6 scores can be Match Play scores. 

Can I register as a member if I don’t have an official World Handicap?

Unfortunately not. However If you do not belong to a golf club but would like to join Linksnet you can obtain a registered World Handicap through England Golf's iGolf platform. 

Click here for more details.

I don’t live in the UK, can I register as a member?

Yes absolutely. You just need to make sure you have a registered World Handicap.

Can I enter competition scores from a club outside of the UK?

As long as your score is registered on your World Handicap record, you can enter it on our platform.

Why are UK members and overseas members competing on the same leaderboard? Surely this isn’t fair?

With the introduction of the World Handicap System across the globe, golfers from every country can now compete fairly on the same leaderboard assuming they have an official World Handicap. 

Subscriptions

What type of Linksnet subscriptions are there?

The programme is free to join but there are 4 different levels of membership to suit everyone.

Choose FREE - our basic membership which is free to join and allows you to log all your scores and climb the leaderboard. You also get access to ALL website features including following other members, arranging match plays and organising your calendar.

Choose BRONZE - At a cost of just £29.99 you receive full access to all the website features as well as the opportunity to compete for our monthly prizes, and access to our EXCLUSIVE Network Days and Match Play Tournaments. You can also qualify for the Season 4 Final and compete for Leaderboard prizes.

Choose SILVER - For £59.99 you receive all the benefits of BRONZE membership PLUS ONE dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls.

Choose GOLD - For £89.99 You receive all the benefits of BRONZE membership PLUS TWO dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls.

Where can I see an exact breakdown of each type of subscription?

To see what’s included in each subscription, click here 

How long does a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD membership last for?

If you sign up to be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member, your membership and all associated benefits will last until 31 December 2023. New subscriptions will be required for the 2024 season (Season 5).

Can I cancel my paid subscription?

Once you have paid for a subscription, it cannot be cancelled and therefore no refunds will be given. Your subscription will run until 31 December 2023. 

Will my paid subscription automatically renew next year?

No. Your subscription is a one off payment with your benefits lasting until 31 December 2023 at which point you will revert to being a FREE member. The subscription will not automatically renew and you will need to pay for a new membership when they are announced in 2024.

I was a FREE member at certain points of the season, but decided to upgrade to BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD. Will all my scores count towards qualification for the Final or end of season leaderboard prizes?

FROM 1 September 2023, if you have not yet signed up as a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member, your existing scores will not count towards the Season 4 Final qualification or Leaderboard prizes. 

Should you become a BRONZE, SILVER OR GOLD member FROM 1 September 2023 onwards, only your scores from the moment you take out the paid membership will count towards the Season 4 Final qualification or Leaderboard prizes.

If I upgrade to BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD during the season, do I get access to the Match Play Tournaments?

Once the draw for the first rounds have been completed (wc 10 April), no further entries to the Match Play Tournaments will be accepted irrespective of membership level.

Can I win prizes if I am a FREE member?

Unfortunately not. Although you get access to all the features of the website, you can not qualify for any prizes or take part in our Network Days and Match Play Tournaments..

Can I upgrade from BRONZE to SILVER or GOLD during the Season?

In principle yes, depending on ball stock levels. Please email support@linksnetgolf.com for a confirmed price.

Is there anything on my Dashboard that identifies me as a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member?

Yes, a small bronze trophy next to your name indicates a BRONZE member; a small silver trophy indicates you are a SILVER member and a small gold trophy indicates you are a GOLD member.  

Handicaps & Score Submissions

Are there any sub categories within the leaderboard?

Members will be able to sort the leaderboard by gender, age and starting handicap range (0-9, 10-19 and 20+*).  End of season prizes and Final qualification will be awarded based on handicap range.

*Note your handicap index is rounded down to place you in your handicap range. For instance if your starting handicap is 9.7 you will be placed in the 0-9 range and not the 10-19 range.

As a Linksnet member, how do I know what course handicap to use?

Your World Handicap is updated daily, and there are numerous tools for working out your course handicap on any given day, from checking the tables displayed at your club to utilising calculators such as the R&A course handicap calculator here 

As a Linksnet member, do I enter the gross score or the adjusted gross score?

When entering a stroke play or medal score, members should submit the score which is shown on their World Handicap record which will be the adjusted gross score from the round rather than the actual gross score which could be different.

As a Linksnet member, how do I enter a score from a Stableford competition?

Once the score appears on your World Handicap record, it will be shown as an adjusted gross. You should use this adjusted gross when submitting your score to Linksnet.

Why as a Linksnet member should I wait 24 hours to submit my score to the Linksnet platform?

Sometimes a score can be inputted incorrectly and waiting 24 hours allows us to ensure that your Linksnet record and your World Handicap record match.

Any adjustments made are available at midnight as well as confirmation of the subsequent new Handicap Index. Therefore please wait until this has been done before submitting your score to Linksnet.

Player Referral

My friends would like to become Linksnet members, what should I tell them?

Simply tell them to go to the sign up page where they can add their referrer’s name and email address. Referring friends can help you earn Titleist Pro V1 balls!

How does the new Referral and Rewards Scheme work?   

You can earn Titleist Pro V1 balls for referring new members who take out a paid subscription. The more members you refer, the more balls you earn!   
Click here to find out more.

What happens if I told a friend about Linksnet yet they failed to mention my name on the registration form?

Unfortunately in these circumstances there is nothing we can do retrospectively. Therefore it is imperative you remind any friends you recommend Linksnet to to reference your name in the Referrers Name and Email address box.

Click here to see the example.

Can I earn these rewards if I am a FREE member myself?

No unfortunately not. You have to be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member to qualify for any referrals and you must have one of these subscriptions before any referral counts to your total.

Score Verification

How long do I have to enter my score?

All scores must be submitted and verified within 28 days of the round being played.  The final responsibility for verification within 28 days of the round will lie with the member.

I’m a Linksnet member, why are you asking me to provide verification for my club scores?

We ask Linksnet members when entering a score to submit a screen shot from their national association's World Handicap System (WHS) Members Platform. For example in England, you would submit a screen shot of the score detail from England Golf's WHS Members Platform.  

The final responsibility for verification within 28 days of the round will lie with the Linksnet member.

For more information click here

I’ve entered a Match Play score, what do I need to send through to get the score verified?

If you have submitted a Match Play score, you will need to upload a copy of your scorecard with the match score clearly marked together with both players’ signatures. 

Your opponent will also receive a notification to verify that the score is indeed correct. 

Do both players need to submit the Match Play score?

No, only ONE player needs to submit a Match Play score. The opponent will receive a notification to verify, and once verified, the score will be added to both profiles.

Why does my score have to be entered and verified within 28 days of my round?

By setting the submission date at 28 days max, it allows us to keep the leaderboards as up to date and as accurate as possible, and avoids Linksnet members stockpiling scores until the end of the Season.

I have entered a new score, but my points total has not changed. Why?

If the score you have entered is not one of your top six best scores, it will not count towards your points total. Likewise, if your score is your fourth or more Match Play submitted and not better than your best 3 Match Play scores, it will not count. Your top six best scores can only include a maximum 3 Match Play scores.

I have entered four scores but have been told I do not qualify for any end of season prizes?

All Linksnet members must enter a minimum six valid scores to be eligible for end of season prizes.

If I enter 6 Match Plays can I qualify for any end of season prizes?

Unfortunately not. Only a maximum 3 Match Play scores can count to your overall Linksnet points total. Therefore, if you’ve entered 6 Match Plays and no other types of round, your Linksnet points total will only consist of your 3 best Match Play rounds, and you will have been deemed not to have entered the necessary 6 qualifying scores required for any end of season prizes.

I'm a Linksnet member and have entered a score but I have been told it is not valid, why is this?

If you enter a score which is not showing on your World Handicap record, it will not be accepted. All scores must be from individual rounds which show as an adjusted gross on your handicap record.  

I want to submit a Match Play but I can't choose an opponent?

You can only submit Match Plays against other Linksnet members who you follow. Once you follow that member, their name will appear in the drop down menu when selecting an opponent on the Match Play score submission form. 

Why can I not enter Club Match Play competition scores?

Unfortunately we only allow Match Play scores against other Linksnet members to be entered into our leaderboards. This is to encourage networking on the platform and Linksnet members to meet and play golf together, therefore making Linksnet a true golfing network. 

You can however enter Match Play results from our own Match Play Tournaments. If it's a result from our Pairs Tournament, you must choose one of your opposing pair to enter the score against. You cannot enter the score twice - i.e. against both of the opposing pair.

How often can I play the same Linksnet member and submit the Match Play result?

You can play the same Linksnet member a maximum of three times in the season.  

Can I enter Match Plays against multiple opponents in my fourball?

No, you are not able to enter multiple Match Plays from the same round. In other words, you can only submit one Match Play score per round played, although that one Match Play can be played within a fourball. 

Can I play two Linksnet Match Plays on the same day?

You can only submit one Match Play result on any one date. Multiple Match Plays on the same day are not allowed. Therefore you cannot play a 9 hole Match Play on the front nine and then a separate 9 hole Match Play against another Linksnet member on the back nine. You would only be able to submit one of them. 

Can I enter a Match Play and then also enter another score from the same round?

No only one score submission can be made per round. Therefore you cannot submit a score as a Match Play and then also submit it in another submission category. You will need to choose what category to submit that round in.

Do corporate, society day or Network Day scores count for Linksnet points?

If you are a Linksnet member, as long as you’ve registered the round for your World Handicap, and that round can be verified on your World Handicap record, then the score will count for Linksnet points.  

Can I enter a score from a 9 hole round?

We do not accept 9 hole rounds on our Linksnet platform other than 9 hole Match Plays.

All strokeplay scores posted must be from 18 hole rounds.

Can I enter a score from an 18 hole par 3 course or any other course with a low par?

Rounds played on Par 3 courses whether 9 or 18 holes are not accepted, although again they can be submitted as a Match Play score. The minimum 18 hole par allowed for a score submissions is 65. Therefore, any round played on a course with an 18 hole par of 64 or less will not be accepted.

Leaderboards

Why should I keep entering scores even if I can't better my best six scores?

If scores are tied at the end of the Season, your league position will be based on the number of valid scores you have entered.

What happens if I am tied with another Linksnet member at the end of the Season on both points scored and number of valid scored entered?

If you are tied at the end of the Season on points scored and number of valid scores entered, your league position will be determined by the first valid score submitted. For example if Player A scored a 6 point round and Player B scored a 4 point round, Player A would be placed above Player B in the league table.

In order to qualify for end of season prizes including a place in the Final through the leaderboard, you will need to be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member. 

FROM 1 September 2023, if you have not yet signed up as a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member, your existing scores will not count towards the Season 4 Final qualification or Leaderboard prizes. 

Should you become a BRONZE, SILVER OR GOLD member FROM 1 September 2023 onwards, only your scores from the moment you take out the paid membership will count towards the Season 4 Final qualification or Leaderboard prizes.

Network Days

How do I sign up for one of the Golf News Linksnet Network Days?
You can sign up through the Network Day page and also through your Dashboard feed, where days will be regularly promoted. You will need to be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member to sign up to these days. 

Are Network Days available to all members?

No, you must be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member to sign up to our Network Days.

What do the costs of the Linksnet Network Day cover?

Unless otherwise stated, the package cost covers 18 holes of golf, a bacon roll or breakfast, tea, coffee and a minimum 2 course lunch. You will also receive a sleeve of Titleist Pro V1 balls on the day and have access to all the prizes, including the Order of Merit which runs throughout the season leading to qualification for the Final.

Can I invite my partner or friend to caddy for me and have breakfast and lunch?

Subject to any catering restrictions, yes you can.  Please email support@linksnetgolf.com detailing who you would like to attend and we will send you a link to pay for the catering costs.

You will need to provide us with at least 48 hours notice and all payments will need to be made prior to the day.

Can I submit my scores from any Linksnet Network Day into my Linksnet profile?

If you are a Linksnet member, as long as you’ve given us your CDH number beforehand, then the score will count for Linksnet points, but you will still need to submit the score to the platform yourself.  

What handicap should I use for Linksnet Network Days?

If you are a Linksnet member, your current handicap index will provide you with a course handicap on the day. 

Does anyone qualify from the Network Days for the Final?

FOUR Linksnet members will qualify directly from the series of Network Days for our end of season Final. This will be through our Network Day Order of Merit.

How often do you run Linksnet Network Days?

We are running 4 days this season, although we could add more..

End of Season Final

When and where will the end of season Final take place?

The Season 4 Final will take place in the Spring of 2024, at a venue to be confirmed later this Summer.

What format will be played at the Final?

The Final will consist of a team Match Play. The winning team will be crowned Linksnet champions.

How do I qualify for the end of season Final?

There are multiple ways to qualify for our Final.

You can qualify for the Final through the Network Day Order of Merit and through our Match Play Tournaments. We will be taking the 3 Match Play winners (Pair winners and Singles winner) plus the top 4 from our Order of Merit.

In addition, BRONZE, SILVER and GOLD members can also qualify through the Leaderboard where 9 spaces will be awarded across all 3 handicap ranges, the breakdown of which will be announced in September 2023.

FROM 1 September 2023, if you have not yet signed up as a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member, your existing scores will not count towards the Season 4 Final qualification . 

Should you become a BRONZE, SILVER OR GOLD member FROM 1 September 2023 onwards, only your scores from the moment you take out the paid membership will count towards the Season 4 Final qualification. 

What are the key dates to look out for as far as Final qualification is concerned?

The key dates for Final qualification are:

Summer 2023 - Venue announced for S4 Final
31 August 2023 - Deadline for members to sign up to BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD for existing scores to count for qualification.
September 2023 - Leaderboard split for finalists confirmed
Sunday 29 October - Season Ends
November 2023 - Invites sent to all finalists
November 2023 - Deadline for confirming attendance
Spring 2024 - Season 4 Final 

How will the teams and captains be chosen?

We will look to choose two even teams to create a competitive Final. From each team, we will also select a captain to manage their teams at the final and decide pairings.

Can all members qualify for the end of season Final?

No, only BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD members can qualify for the Final.

FROM 1 September 2023, if you have not yet signed up as a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member, your existing scores will not count towards the Season 4 Final qualification . 

Should you become a BRONZE, SILVER OR GOLD member FROM 1 September 2023 onwards, only your scores from the moment you take out the paid membership will count towards the Season 4 Final qualification. 

How will the end of the season leaderboard prizes be awarded?

End of season leaderboard prizes will be awarded to those who just miss out on qualification for the Final based on the criteria mentioned.

To qualify for leaderboard prizes you must be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member. 

FROM 1 September 2023, if you have not yet signed up as a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member, your existing scores will not count towards the end of season leaderboard prizes. 

Should you become a BRONZE, SILVER OR GOLD member FROM 1 September 2023 onwards, only your scores from the moment you take out the paid membership will count towards the end of season leaderboard prizes. 

If I qualify for the Final, what is included?

Details of the final and what's included will be announced later this Summer.

Other Competitions

What are the Match Play Tournaments?

We will be running both a Pairs Match Play and a Singles Match Play Tournament. These are knock out competitions for all levels of members, run first in regions, followed by a final for both at the exclusive Centurion Club on Thursday 19 October.

How much do the Match Play Tournaments cost to enter?

The Match Play Tournaments are FREE to all BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD members. You must be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member to play in these tournaments.

When will the Match Play Tournaments start?

Details of all dates and rounds will be confirmed following the entry closing date. 

How do I sign up to the Match Play Tournaments?

TO ENTER email support@linksnetgolf.com  by midnight on 9 April 2023 stating whether you are entering the Pairs, Singles or both with your name, email, contact telephone number and home club  where you will host matches together with your partner's name (if entering the pairs). 

Will there be any costs involved in the Match Play Pairs and Singles Finals?

Only the round of golf is provided free of charge. Any food or drink and any travel or accommodation expenses will need to be paid for by the finalists.

Where can I see a full list of fixtures and results?

You will be able to view all the fixtures and all the results as they are declared here

Can I see a full list of the rules and regulations?

Yes, you can view all the details here

What is the prize for winning either Match Play Final?

Winners of both the Pairs Final and Singles Final will qualify directly for Season 4 Final.

What other competitions other than the leaderboard do you run?

Details of our other competitions can be found on our Prizes page. Additional competitions may be added at any time, so it's worth keeping an eye out on this page and through our social media channels.

How is the Player of the Month chosen?

Each month we will look at the best performances and most improved performances and choose our winner from our short list. We will also explain why that player has been chosen.

You must be a BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD member to qualify for our Player of the Month award.

Do you run other competitions not listed on the prize page?

From time to time we may run exclusive social media competitions although these competitions are also displayed on members’ Dashboard Feeds. 

Why do you only post prizes to a UK address?

The cost of posting items overseas has become prohibitively expensive (especially for bulky items), meaning that we now have to stipulate that prizes must be dispatched to a UK postal address.

What if I am an overseas winner without a UK postal address?

If you are an overseas winner, we can either post your prize to a UK postal address of your choice or we can quote you a cost for posting your prize to you direct.  Prizes will only be despatched overseas once full payment has been received.

Other

What sponsorship opportunities are there for next season?

To enquire about sponsorship, please email support@linksnetgolf.com 

Can I make a suggestion for next season?

By all means, we welcome suggestions. Please email support@linksnetgolf.com

None of these FAQs have answered my query?

No problem, feel free to drop us a line. Please email support@linksnetgolf.com