You do also need your own e-mail account, something which is easy to do with something like Hotmail. Having your own e-mail account is part of the registration security and its how details and more info will be returned to you. For updating your own records, you only need you GSA number and access to the Internet.

Every GSA number will be unique and for it to be active (be able to be used), the home club for a player must verify each GSA request - its a very simple process. Your club was sent a pack on the GSA system in mid February, so do allow a suitable amount of time for your club to decide how to administer their part in validating a member s GSA number. They may pass responsibility for their Juniors to their Junior Organiser, though this is entirely up to each individual club.

You can only use your GSA number when it has been validated. If you have any problems when you first register, please check that validation has been done before coming back to us. If you lose your GSA number or your password has to be changed, there are help and request buttons on the GSA web site.

What are the details of how you can use your GSA number.

When you register, you will be asked if you want to opt in to two of the uses for the GSA numbers. You can delay any decisions or opt out at a later date.

Firstly, you can have your handicap displayed on a register that a limited number of Warwickshire Union officials can access. This access will be very useful for team selection, and for the Juniors, for selecting boys for coaching. You can easily access your handicap (as you can any other of your details) and change it and you should do so throughout the season if you want to be considered for teams and help that the Union provides.

This register will only be part of the team selection procedure.

Secondly, f you are a Junior, you can opt in to having your name, club, handicap and age displayed on the individual points sheet which can be accessed from the main JoM table. You can also post a picture and create a profile, just like what is available on Tour Web sites. When a Junior asks for a GSA number, they will be sent a simple guide to the GSA system which they should show to parents or guardians.

If you do not opt in for having the above displayed, only your name will appear on the individual points sheets.

You will be able to enter a number of Warwickshire Competitions on-line - enter and pay there and then. Using an on-line payment facility does mean that there will be a small extra charge to cover the commission which the payment facility take for using its services but you will receive confirmation of your entry and your starting sheet by e-mail. Where that competition is using live scoring (to be announced very soon), you will be automatically placed on the live scoring facility which has the benefits outlined in the next paragraph. You will still be able to enter normally if you so want, using an entry form and postage.

Live scoring is the last (at present) benefit of the GSA system. If you enter on-line, your name will automatically go onto the on-line web page for that competition. One the day, as each score comes in, the live scoring page will update until the whole field has finished. Once the Standards Scratch has been calculated, the results will be immediately sent back to your club so that your handicap can be adjusted. Its now your responsibility to ensure that your handicap is kept up-to-date and GSA will really help with admin.

If you enter a live scoring competition by post, you can give your GSA number either on your entry form or on the day so that this results posting is available to you - you do not have to enter using your GSA number to be part of live scoring.