Golf scoring software lets golf courses and leagues track golf scores and handicaps along with printing golf score reports. Most golf scoring software information includes golfer scores, golfer stats, golfer handicaps, course specifics and comparable golfing stats for specific holes.

There are three main types of golf scoring software available to golf courses and professional golf leagues. It's a good idea to have a golf scoring software list of pros and cons before making a purchase. If your golf course is mainly used for recreation, an online golf program might be best. If your course is used for professional leagues and tournaments, providing Pocket PCs to the golfers makes your course professional and reputable. Before purchasing any software, consider the following:

1. What type of golfers frequent your course? If it's just local golfers out for fun, you won't need the most sophisticated software.

2. What type of investment can your course make in golf scoring software? Most downloadable programs are cheap, while personal systems will cost much more.

3. Does your golf course have a main website where members can sign in for golf scores? If so, using an online golf scoring service is an option.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find golf scoring software online

Most golf scoring software has a website where free trial downloads are available for prospective buyers. These free trials help you see if that program works for your golf course and if it's compatible with your current computer system.

I recommend: Get an Excel spreadsheet based golf scorer at DJI Computer Solutions. This spreadsheet is free for 30 days and is a great option for golf students. Deer Park Software offers GolfCalc, which calculates handicaps and scores. This program holds up to 300 golfers and can be put on different computers within the golf club.

Use an online golf scoring software provider for easy score management

Online golf scoring software lets the golf manager upload numerous scores into the program. The program then calculates all aspects of golf scoring, and the members can go online from anywhere and view their stats. Some programs give each individual user an I.D. and password so they can manage their golf scores from anywhere.

I recommend: Try a free demo of online scoring software through FBSDesigns.com. This program allows for up to 16 golfers, but has a membership price for as little as four golfers. League Scoring is a program that you download to your main computer, input results and League Scoring posts it to their website for all golfers to access. You can also link League Scoring results to your golf course's own website.

Provide handheld golf scoring software

The most sophisticated software available is the kind where golfers can keep abreast of golf scores and stats in real time through a wireless service. Some of these services operate on specific platforms, while others work with an i-Phone or Smartphone. Golfers navigate the software by tapping on a screen with their finger or a stylus.

I recommend: Try handegolf from Mother Hen Software, which runs on the PalmOS software. Even without wireless service, the handegolf software still tallies scores and handicaps. Provide a Pocket PC for your golfers installed with True Golf Score V2 from Clickapps.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for free shareware or one-time pricing downloads on simplistic golf scoring software. Programmers work on simple software products like these to earn extra money or just practice their trade. While these programs may not work for large leagues, they're perfect for golf students and casual golfers.