Golfers sprung using AI to game timesheet system at elite clubs

Savvy golfers have been using AI to nab themselves the best time slots at top clubs across the country, according to a Melbourne club, which is warning its members that those caught doing so could face consequences.

Woodlands Golf Club in Mordialloc, ranked 27th on Golf Australia’s top 100 courses of 2026, wrote to members informing them that some were using third-party software, including AI and automated booking tools, to secure their preferred tee times in the MiClub timesheet booking system.

“While we appreciate that members are keen to secure their preferred playing times, the use of these applications presents significant privacy, security and fairness concerns,” the club wrote.

As Woodlands explained to members, many of these services require login credentials to be handed over to an external provider, creating privacy and cybersecurity risks for the member using it, and potentially for other members whose information is held within the club’s systems.

Woodlands, a private members’ club, said this practice breached its privacy policy and compromised the security of its systems and was “strictly prohibited”, demanding in bold font that any members currently using such software immediately stop and change their password.

“The Club is actively monitoring booking activity and reviewing timesheet data daily to identify the use of automated booking software. Where there is evidence that a member has used prohibited tools, the matter will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action,” the email warned.

In its email, Woodlands indicated it was aware of members at other clubs using similar tools to game timesheets via MiClub, which is used by golf clubs across the country – including top-ranked Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Black Rock, Riversdale Golf Club in Mount Waverley, and Commonwealth Golf Club in Oakleigh South.

MiClub said it was confident there had been no further exposure of member information but was nonetheless advising members of all clubs to stop using these platforms as a precaution, according to Woodlands’ email.

Woodlands also said the software company would be changing the timesheet booking process Australia-wide as a result.

A golfer who attempted to demonstrate the AI process for this masthead was confronted with a warning: “Some clubs consider bot-booking against their terms of use, since it can crowd out members trying to book manually. Worth checking your club’s member rules.”

It is unclear what third-party software members have been using to game the MiClub booking system. A YouTube video posted three months ago by an AI tutorial account called Exploring AI suggested it might not be too difficult for individual golfers to create their own automated plugins, and even provided step-by-step guidance for those interested in doing so.

However, the British YouTuber behind the video, James Beattie, warned against the wider use of such software, saying there was a reason why he had not monetised the app he created for himself and his friends.

“It solves a problem that a lot of people have, but then you have to think about it from the perspective of the community,” Beattie said.

“You know, is it really fair if hundreds of people are using this app and then if there is hundreds of people using the app then it really just ruins the tee sheets for everyone?”

Woodlands, MiClub and Royal Melbourne have been contacted for comment.

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