Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Golf Fore Groups ("we," "our," or "us") operates the Golf Fore Groups mobile application and website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our service.

1. Information We Collect

Account Information

When you create an account, we collect:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Password (stored securely using bcrypt hashing)
• Phone number (optional)

Profile Information

You may optionally provide:

• Golf handicap and handicap source
• GHIN number
• Contact preference (email, SMS, or push)
• Profile photo

Activity Data

When you use the app, we collect:

• Golf scores, statistics, and round details
• Trip information (names, dates, locations, attendees)
• Chat messages within trips
• Friend connections
• Room assignments for trips

Technical Data

We automatically collect:

• IP address
• Browser/device user agent
• Session information

Location Data

When you search for golf courses, your coordinates may be used to find nearby courses. Trip locations are stored as entered by trip creators. We do not continuously track your location.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To provide and maintain the Golf Fore Groups service
• To send trip invitations, itineraries, and notifications
• To display leaderboards and golf statistics
• To facilitate social features (friend requests, trip groups, chat)
• To send account-related emails (welcome, password reset)
• To find nearby golf courses based on your location

3. Information Shared With Other Users

Certain information is visible to other users of the app:

• Trip attendees can see your name, handicap, scores, room assignments, and chat messages within shared trips
• Public leaderboards display player names, handicaps, and scores to anyone with the leaderboard link
• Friends can see your name and basic profile information
• Trip invitations include the inviter's name and trip details

4. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services:

Resend (Email Service)

We use Resend to send transactional emails (trip invitations, itineraries, welcome emails, friend request notifications). Resend receives recipient email addresses and email content necessary to deliver these messages.

GolfCourseAPI

We use GolfCourseAPI.com to look up golf course information. Search queries and optional location coordinates are sent to retrieve course data. No personal user information is shared with this service.

Digital Ocean

Our application and database are hosted on Digital Ocean. Your data is stored on their servers in the United States.

5. Data Storage and Security

• All data is stored on secure servers hosted by Digital Ocean in the United States
• Passwords are hashed using bcrypt and never stored in plain text
• All connections use SSL/TLS encryption
• Database connections require SSL
• API authentication uses token-based security (Laravel Sanctum)

6. Analytics and Tracking

We do not use any third-party analytics, advertising, or behavioral tracking services. We do not sell your data to third parties.

7. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, your profile is deactivated and your personal data is no longer accessible through the app. Associated trip and score data may be retained in anonymized form.

8. Account Deletion

You can delete your account at any time through the app. Account deletion:

• Revokes all active sessions and access tokens
• Deactivates your profile
• Removes your ability to log in

To request complete deletion of all your data, contact us at [email protected].

9. Children's Privacy

Golf Fore Groups is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

[email protected]