Disclosure: this site is made by the MATCHUPS team. Facts about other apps come from their own pages, checked in November 2026.
These two apps sit at opposite ends of the league world. Golf League Guru is league management software for commissioners. MATCHUPS is a casual golf app for friends, with free leagues for small groups.
We make MATCHUPS. Facts below come from each app's own site and App Store page, checked in November 2026.
The short answer
- Pick Golf League Guru for a bigger league with a commissioner, divisions, handicaps, pairings and reporting.
- Pick MATCHUPS for a small friends league of up to 10 on iPhone that wants to play casual formats for free.
Side by side
| MATCHUPS | Golf League Guru | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Friends golf: trips, cups and small leagues | League management |
| League size | Free up to 10 players | Small local leagues to large organizations |
| Price | Free up to 10 players | Paid league software, see its site |
| Platforms | iPhone + Apple Watch | Web, plus iPhone/iPad app |
| Handicaps | No GHIN sync | Custom handicaps, updated automatically |
| Admin tools | Kept simple | Auto pairings, league communication, reports, proxies |
| Formats | Stroke, Match, Best Ball, Scramble, Skins, High/Low, Low/Low, Hammer | Flexible formats, teams and divisions |
Who each one is for
Golf League Guru describes itself as golf league software built by league golfers. Its site lists quick setup, custom handicaps, auto pairings, league communication, mobile scoring, detailed reporting, flexible formats, and scorecards and proxies. It also lists leaderboards, skins, reports and season stats.
That is a commissioner's toolkit. If you run a 40-player league with divisions, it is built for you.
MATCHUPS is not league software. It is a golf app for friends that also runs small leagues. Leagues are free up to 10 players. It focuses on the round: built-in GPS, live scoring with a lock-screen scoreboard, and casual formats.
Price
MATCHUPS leagues are free up to 10 players.
Golf League Guru is paid software. Its pricing is on its own site, so check there for your league size.
Handicaps
This matters for most leagues.
Golf League Guru lists custom handicaps that update automatically.
MATCHUPS does not connect to GHIN. If your league needs official handicaps, Golf League Guru or another app on our list is the better choice.
Platforms
Golf League Guru runs on the web and has an iPhone and iPad app.
MATCHUPS runs on iPhone and Apple Watch only. No Android, no web admin.
Which is right for you
| Your league | Better fit |
|---|---|
| 8 friends, Tuesday nights, all on iPhone | MATCHUPS |
| 10 players who want it free | MATCHUPS |
| 30 players, two divisions | Golf League Guru |
| Needs handicaps updated every week | Golf League Guru |
| Commissioner wants reports and proxies | Golf League Guru |
| Anyone on Android | Golf League Guru (web), or see our list |
Can you use both?
Some groups do. A big league runs on league software. A few friends inside it use a casual app for side games on the same night. That is fine. Just keep the official scores in one place.
What MATCHUPS does not do
No Android. No Nassau, Wolf or Stableford. No GHIN sync. Leagues above 10 players are outside the free tier.
Bottom line
Running a real league with admin needs? Golf League Guru. A small, free friends league on iPhone? MATCHUPS.
See every option in our golf league app comparison, or read how to start a golf league.
From the team: we make MATCHUPS, a free golf app for iPhone and Apple Watch. Leagues are free up to 10 players. App Store · matchupsgolf.com
FAQ
Is Golf League Guru free?
Golf League Guru is paid league software. Check its site for pricing.
Is MATCHUPS free for leagues?
Yes, MATCHUPS leagues are free up to 10 players.
Which app handles league handicaps?
Golf League Guru lists custom handicaps that update automatically. MATCHUPS does not connect to GHIN.