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Privacy Policy

(Last Updated: July 2021)

NOTE: This privacy policy applies across all areas of the Golf Australia business – it is not specific to the new handicap log-in process. The policy covers any element of our operation that requires us to collect data, or where sensitive information will be volunteered to us. Most of the data types listed below are not requested as a part of the handicap log-in process.

The protection of personal information is important to Golf Australia Limited (Golf Australia). Golf Australia is committed to respecting the right to privacy and the protection of personal information.

This document sets out how Golf Australia may collect, hold and use personal information. By providing your personal information to Golf Australia, you consent to its use, storage and disclosure in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

What personal and sensitive information does Golf Australia collect?

Personal Information

Personal information is information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database) from which it is possible to determine someone’s identity.

The information collected by Golf Australia about a particular person will vary depending on the circumstances of collection. It may include, but is not limited to, a person’s contact details (name, email and/or postal address, phone number), date of birth, gender, credit card details, driver’s licence number, passport number, insurance details, or communication history with Golf Australia.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is a type of personal information that also includes information or an opinion about someone’s:

  • racial or ethnic origin;
  • political opinions;
  • membership in a political association, professional or trade association or trade union;
  • religious beliefs or affiliations or philosophical beliefs;
  • sexual preferences or practices;
  • criminal record; or
  • health, genetic information or disability.

If it is reasonably necessary for the circumstances, Golf Australia may also collect sensitive information such as a person’s medical history, nationality, ethnic background or disabilities.

Golf Australia is required by law to obtain consent when collecting sensitive information. Golf Australia will assume consent to the collection of all sensitive information that is provided to it for use in accordance with this Privacy Policy unless told otherwise.

How does Golf Australia collect personal and sensitive information?

Information may be collected when you:

(a) become a member of a golf club, association or other body which is a member of or affiliated with Golf Australia (Golf Australia Affiliate);
(b) subscribe to any publication of Golf Australia or a Golf Australia Affiliate, including electronic publications;
(c) provide details to Golf Australia or a Golf Australia Affiliate in an application, consent form, survey, feedback form or incident report;
(d) enter personal information into, or agree to have your personal information entered into, one of Golf Australia’s online systems, including the GOLF Link database;
(e) access the Golf Australia website or a website of a Golf Australia Affiliate;
(f) contact Golf Australia via email, telephone or mail or engage with Golf Australia via social media;
(g) participate in any program, activity, competition or event run by Golf Australia or a Golf Australia Affiliate;
(h) purchase tickets to a Golf Australia sporting event from Golf Australia or an authorised agent;
(i) purchase merchandise, products or services from Golf Australia or an authorised agent or licensee;
(j) are elected or appointed to the Board or a committee of Golf Australia;
(k) apply for employment or a volunteer position with Golf Australia or a Golf Australia Affiliate; or
(l) where Golf Australia is required to do so by law (for education, child protection, work health and safety laws, charitable collections, medical treatment or other legislation in Australia).

Providing information

Depending on the circumstances, some types of information will be required and others might be optional. If you do not provide some or all of the information requested, this may affect Golf Australia’s ability to communicate with you or provide the requested products or services.

By not providing requested information, you may jeopardise your ability to participate in programs or competitions or apply for employment or volunteer positions with Golf Australia or a Golf Australia Affiliate. If it is impracticable for Golf Australia to deal with you as a result of you not providing the requested information or consent, Golf Australia may refuse to do so.

Collection from third parties

Golf Australia or a Golf Australia Affiliate may collect personal information regarding a child from the parent or other responsible person associated with that child.

In many circumstances, Golf Australia collects information from Golf Australia Affiliates or other third parties. Examples of such third parties could include, without limitation, the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency, the Australian Institute of Sport or government and law enforcement bodies.

Information storage and protection

Golf Australia stores information in different ways, including in paper and electronic forms.

Much of the information we collect from and about our members is added to Golf Australia’s membership database or GOLF Link. When your information is entered into Golf Australia’s databases, the information may be combined or linked with other information held about you.

Security of personal information is important to Golf Australia. Golf Australia has taken steps to protect the information we hold from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Some of the security measures Golf Australia uses include strict confidentiality requirements for our employees, volunteers, Golf Australia Affiliates and service providers, security measures for system access and security measures for our website.

We seek to protect your personal information from any unauthorised loss, disclosure or access. However, if a serious data breach occurs, we must notify you as required under the Privacy Act regarding the circumstances of the breach, and must also advise the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.

How does Golf Australia use and disclose personal and sensitive information?

Use

Golf Australia, and third parties to whom we may disclose personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy, may use your personal information to:

(a) verify your identity;
(b) complete background checks;
(c) research, develop, run, administer and market competitions, programs, activities and other events relating to golf in Australia;
(d) research, develop and market products, services, merchandise and special offers made available by us and third parties;
(e) respond to emergency situations involving or requiring medical treatment;
(f) undertake administrative functions, such as billing;
(g) administer, manage, and provide you with access to, the GOLF Link system;
(h) keep you informed of news and information relating to various golf events, activities and opportunities via various mediums; and
(i) disclose to other registered GOLF Link users information in relation to your golfing handicap.

Golf Australia may use your health information to ensure that the programs we operate are run safely and in accordance with any special health needs participants may require. Health information may also be kept for insurance purposes. In addition, we may use de-identified health information and other sensitive information to carry out research, prepare submissions to the government, or plan events and activities.

Disclosure

Golf Australia may disclose your personal information to a range of organisations which include, but are not limited to:

(a) Golf Australia Affiliates and other organisations involved in golf programs in Australia;
(b) companies we engage to carry out functions and activities on Golf Australia’s behalf, including direct marketing;
(c) our professional advisers, including our accountants, auditors and lawyers;
(d) our insurers;
(e) relevant sporting bodies such as the International Golf Federation, the R&A, Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, Australian Institute of Sport, the Professional Golfers’ Association of Australia, Australian Ladies’ Professional Golf, the Ladies’ Professional Golfers’ Association, various National Sporting bodies, Federal and State Departments of Sport, Australian Olympic Committee amongst others; and
(f) in other circumstances permitted by law.

In some circumstances, personal information may also be disclosed outside of Australia – for example, personal information is disclosed to the International Golf Federation which is located in Switzerland, the R&A which is located in Scotland, or the United States Golf Association.  In such circumstances, Golf Australia will use its best endeavours to ensure such parties are subject to a law, binding scheme or contract which effectively upholds principles for fair handling of the information that is suitably similar to the Australian Privacy Principles.

Direct marketing

We will assume consent to use non-sensitive personal information to provide better services and for marketing purposes (including disclosure of such information to service providers).

Every person whose data is collected by Golf Australia has the option to refuse e-mail, SMS or posted offers by making a request in writing to Golf Australia via the contact details set out below or by making use of the opt-out procedures included in any communications from us (however, information relating to the option to unsubscribe from those communications may be retained).

Other disclosures

In addition, Golf Australia may also disclose personal information:

(a) with your express or implied consent;
(b) when required or authorised by law;
(c) to an enforcement body when reasonably necessary; or
(d) to lessen or prevent a threat to an individual or public health or safety.

Golf Australia website

When users visit the Golf Australia website, our systems may record certain information about their use of the site, including the web pages visited and the time and date of their visit. Golf Australia uses this information to help analyse and improve the performance of the Golf Australia website.

In addition, we may use “cookies” on the Golf Australia website. Cookies are small text files that help a website to remember the preferences of users to improve the experience of using that website. In some cases, the cookies that we use may collect some personal information. Golf Australia will treat this information in the same way as other personal information we collect. You are free to disable cookies on your internet browser to prevent this information from being collected; however, you will lose the benefit of the enhanced website experience that the use of cookies may offer.

Websites linked to the Golf Australia website are not subject to Golf Australia’s privacy standards, policies or procedures. Golf Australia cannot take any responsibility for the collection, use, disclosure or security of any personal information that you provide to a third-party website.

Accessing and seeking correction of information held by Golf Australia

Golf Australia will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information it collects, uses or discloses is accurate, complete and up-to-date. However, we rely on the accuracy of personal information as provided to us both directly and indirectly.

We encourage all users to regularly review and update their personal information. If you would like to access personal information that we hold about you, we require you to put your request in writing. If we do not allow you access to any part of the personal information we hold about you, we will tell you why.

Individuals may also request access to their personal information held by us by making a request via the contact details set out below. We will respond to your request for access within 14 days and endeavour to provide the requested information within 30 days. If you find that the personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date, please contact us immediately and we will see that it is corrected.

Resolving privacy issues and complaints

Any issues or complaints in relation to the collection, use, disclosure, quality, security of and access to your personal information may be made to Golf Australia at this address:

Golf Australia
Level 2, 111 Coventry Street
South Melbourne, VIC 3205
Email:  info@golf.org.au
Phone: (03) 9626 5050

We will respond to your complaint within 30 days and try to resolve it within 90 days. If we are unable to resolve your complaint within this time, or you are unhappy with the outcome, you can contact the Office of Australian Information Commissioner via its enquiries line 1300 363 992 or website to lodge a complaint.

For further information on Golf Australia’s management of personal information, please contact us using the details above.

Golf Australia may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time.