Lottery Bookings - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about the Lottery Booking process

From Thursday 9 July, MiClub will introduce the Lottery Booking process for busy timesheets across all MiClub Golf clients.

This change has been implemented in response to a significant increase in automated booking systems ("bots") attempting to secure tee times the instant timesheets open. These systems provide an unfair advantage over members booking through the genuine process.

Lottery Booking provides a secure, fair and impartial method of allocating access to heavily subscribed timesheets while protecting clubs and members from automated booking activity.

What is Lottery Booking?

Lottery Booking is a secure virtual waiting room that allows members to join a draw before a busy timesheet opens.

Rather than every member attempting to access the timesheet at exactly the same moment, members simply join the draw before opening time.

When the timesheet opens, participants are randomly allocated a position in the booking queue before being admitted to the booking screen.

Why is MiClub making this change?

MiClub has identified a substantial increase in automated booking software ("bots") being used to gain priority access to popular timesheets.

These systems can attempt to enter timesheets immediately before, or at the exact moment, they open, often securing preferred tee times ahead of members booking manually.

Lottery Booking significantly reduces this advantage and creates a fairer booking experience for all members.

How does Lottery Booking work?

1. Join the Lottery before the advertised opening time.
2. Wait for the draw to close.
3. When the timesheet opens, all participants are randomly assigned a position in the booking queue.
4. Members are admitted into the timesheet in queue order to complete their booking.

There is no advantage to joining the draw moments after it opens—provided you join before the draw closes, your queue position is determined randomly.

FAQ 

Q: Is the queue random?

A: Yes. Every member who joins the draw before it closes is entered into a random allocation process.

Queue positions are randomly assigned for every draw, providing a fair and impartial method of allocating booking access over time.

Q: Does joining the draw earlier improve my chances?

A: No. As long as you join before the draw closes, every participant is included equally in the random allocation.

Joining immediately after the waiting room opens does not provide a better queue position.

Q: Will faster internet or newer devices help?

A: No. Lottery Booking removes many of the technology-based advantages associated with traditional timesheet openings.

The random queue allocation does not favour:

• Faster internet connections
• Mobile or desktop devices
• High-speed broadband
• Mobile networks
• Device performance

Q: How does Lottery Booking protect against bots?

A: Because members receive a randomly allocated queue position after the draw closes, automated booking systems cannot consistently gain priority access by attempting to connect milliseconds before the timesheet opens.

This provides significantly greater protection against unfair automated booking activity.

Q: Is Lottery Booking already used by other clubs?

A: Yes. More than 80% of MiClub Golf clubs already use Lottery Booking to manage high-demand timesheets.

It has become the preferred solution for clubs seeking to provide fair access while protecting members from automated booking systems.

Q: What are the benefits of Lottery Booking?

• Protects busy timesheets from automated booking bots.
• Creates a secure virtual waiting room before bookings open.
• Provides a fair and impartial booking process through random queue allocation.
• Removes advantages gained through faster devices or internet connections.
• Proven technology already trusted by the majority of MiClub Golf clubs.

Q: When will this change take effect?

A: Lottery Booking will apply to busy timesheets opening from Thursday 9 July 2026 onwards. Some clubs may choose to enable Lottery Booking earlier.

Q: Where can I learn more?

A: For detailed setup information and member guides, please refer to the following Help Centre resources:

• Lottery Ticketing – Virtual Draw for Busy Timesheets
• Lottery Ticketing Frequently Asked Questions
• Sample Member Communication Email

If your club would like assistance enabling Lottery Booking before Thursday 9 July, or would like further information, please contact the MiClub Support Team or your MiClub Account Manager.