Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 29, 2026

Big Show Golf ("the app", "we") helps golfers set up matches, keep score and track side games with friends. This policy explains what information the app collects, how it's used, and the choices you have.

The short version: we collect what's needed to run your matches (your name, email, scores and similar). We don't sell your information or share it with advertisers or sponsors, and you can delete your account at any time from the app.

Information you give us

Account details: your name, email address and password. Passwords are handled by Firebase Authentication and are never visible to us.
Profile details (optional): phone number, Handicap Index, GHIN number, average 18-hole score and profile photo, if you add them. Your phone number and GHIN number are kept private: other players can't see them. Your phone number is used so friends who already have your number can find you, and each number can be linked to only one account; if a number is already linked to another account, we tell you it's in use and don't move it without a request to support. Your average score is used only to estimate your handicap strokes in net games, shown to the players in your games as an estimate.
Golf activity: matches you create or join, scores, tees, groups and teams, closest-to-the-pin results, side-game settings, and messages or photos you post in a match's Gallery.
Joining on the web: if you join a game in your browser without an account, the name and handicap you enter, plus the phone number or email if you add one (so the organizer can invite you next time and we can send you your game link).

Camera and Pin Point

If you use Pin Point to measure a close-up, the camera view is processed on your iPhone by Apple's ARKit to work out the distance. We don't record or upload the video or depth information. When you save the close-up, one Pin Point photo (with the hole, player and distance) is posted to that game's Gallery, where the players in the game can see it like any other photo. Photos you take or choose for the Gallery are uploaded only when you post them.

Information collected automatically

Notification token: if you allow notifications, a device token so we can send match invitations and score alerts.
Usage analytics: which features are used (for example: an account was created, a game was created or joined, a score was entered, a screen was opened) and basic device information, collected through Google Analytics for Firebase and tied to your account ID, never your name, email, phone number or messages. We use it only to understand and improve Big Show Golf. You can turn it off in the app under Profile → Privacy & Safety. On our website, analytics is skipped if your browser sends Global Privacy Control.
Crash reports: if the app crashes, a report of what the app was doing (the code that failed, device model, iOS version and app version) is sent through Firebase Crashlytics, tied to your account ID so we can fix the problem. It never includes your name, email, phone number or messages, and it follows the same switch as usage analytics.

Gallery safety

If you report a gallery message, we keep a copy of the message, who sent it, who reported it and why, so our team can review it. If you block someone, your block list is stored privately on your account so it works on any phone you sign in on. Your language filter choices are stored the same way, and our server uses them to filter the text of notifications sent to you. See our community guidelines.

Your contacts and the people you invite

When you invite players, you can choose people from your iPhone contacts. The app only sees the contacts you pick. We don't upload or store your address book.

People who don't have the app can be invited by text or by email. Texts are sent from your own Messages app after you review them. Email invites are sent by us on your behalf: we store the name and email address you add (in your group, if you use one), send one email per invite with a link to join the game, and keep a record that it was sent. Replies go to you. Every invite email has a link to stop email invites to that address, and we honor it for invites from anyone.

Launch news and updates

If you sign up on our website for updates, we store your email address and send you a link to confirm. Once confirmed, we'll email you when the app is in the App Store and occasionally about new features. Every email has an unsubscribe link.

How we use information

To run the app: create and join matches, show scorecards and leaderboards, and calculate side-game results.
To show your name, photo and scores to the other players in matches you join.
To send match invitations and notifications you've allowed.
To keep the app secure, review reports, and remove content or accounts that break our Terms of Use.
To understand which features get used, so we can improve the app (usage analytics, which you can turn off).
To show you how your game compares in My stats. Your finished 18-hole rounds (scores, and the putts, fairways and greens you share) count in totals that compare golfers by handicap, area, course and the players you play with. Only totals are used: no one sees another player's numbers. You can leave your rounds out with Include my rounds in comparisons in My stats.

Sponsor messages

Some screens in the app and on our website may show a message from a sponsor, often a local business, chosen by the course or area of your game. We count how many times each sponsor message is shown and tapped, in total. Sponsors never receive your name, contact details, scores or any other personal information, and we don't use third-party ad networks or ad tracking. Paid plans can turn sponsor messages off.

Money, payouts and paid plans

Big Show Golf doesn't hold or pay out the money players bet on their games. Payout amounts shown are for tracking only; players settle up between themselves outside the app.

If you buy a paid plan, payment is handled by Stripe (on our website) or Apple (in the app). We receive your plan, its status and renewal date, and a customer or receipt ID, never your full card number. Stripe and Apple handle your payment details under their own privacy policies.

Who we share information with

Other players: people in the same match can see your name, photo, handicap and scores for that match.
Shared results: if a player in a game creates a results link, anyone with that link can see the game name, course, date, player names, scores and one photo the group shared. The game manager can turn the link off.
Service providers: the app is built on Google Firebase (authentication, database, file storage, notifications, analytics and crash reports), which stores and processes data on our behalf. Emails (invites and updates) are delivered by Postmark, which receives the recipient's name, email address and the message. Golf course information is provided by a third-party course database; searches you make are sent to it, but no personal information is. Payments for paid plans are processed by Stripe and Apple.
Legal reasons: if required by law or to protect the safety of users.

We don't sell your personal information, and we don't share it with advertisers or sponsors.

Keeping and deleting your information

We keep your information while your account is active. You can delete your account at any time in the app under Profile → Delete Account, or on our account deletion page. This permanently removes your login, profile, photo, phone number, groups and invitations. Scores from matches you played with others stay on those matches' scorecards under your name, so the other players' results remain complete.

Security

Data is sent over encrypted connections and stored with Google Firebase. No system is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information.

Children

Big Show Golf is not intended for children under 13, and we don't knowingly collect information from them.

Changes to this policy

If we make important changes, we'll update the date above and let you know in the app where appropriate.

Contact

Questions about this policy or your data? Email us at privacy@bigshowgolf.com.