# Linked Golf vs ref

The clearest difference is monetization model: Linked Golf at free against ref's ad-supported. Linked Golf also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). ref's advantage is ratings volume (9 vs 2). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Linked Golf against 4.9 for ref. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 9 respectively.

Linked Golf ships an update every 10 days, ref weekly. The most recent releases landed on July 25, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Linked Golf | ref |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linked-golf/id1619093321/reviews)** | [4.9 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-ology/id6747456171/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **9** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 78 MB | 144 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Matthew Quatrani](https://appshunter.io/developer/1619093323) | [Ref-ology](https://appshunter.io/developer/1821525658) |

## What reviewers say

### Linked Golf

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linked-golf/id1619093321)

Connect with golfers to schedule more rounds. Build your profile, add friends, and find compatible players based on availability and preferences. Easily organize games and discover new playing partners.

**Highlights:** Build golfer profile, Connect with existing golf network, Schedule golf outings, Mark availability, Scan QR codes to add friends, Favorite golf courses, Join golf course communities

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### ref

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ref-ology/id6747456171)

This app helps referees master the inner game through reflection, presence, and practice. It offers educational resources, game film breakdowns, and live events to sharpen skills and deepen understanding. Built by officials, for officials, it fosters a community for growth and networking.

**Highlights:** Training videos and game film analysis, Expert breakdowns, Live webinars and mentoring, On-demand sessions, Interactive space for confidence and awareness, Community for questions and feedback

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Linked Golf free?

Linked Golf is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ref free?

ref is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Linked Golf or ref?

Linked Golf is rated higher. Linked Golf averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while ref averages 4.9 from 9 ratings.

### Do Linked Golf or ref have ads?

Neither Linked Golf nor ref shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Linked Golf or ref?

Linked Golf ships an update every 10 days, and ref weekly. Most recently, Linked Golf was updated on July 25, 2026 and ref on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*