Annual subscription 2026

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What if they just want to play golf and don't want a pub / cafe along with it? After all, your membership is to play golf.

I'm not a car park golfer but I have no issues with those that are. The key for clubs there, same as why I am against bar levies, is make the clubhouse somewhere people want to go. If you have that, you reduce the car park golfers, people will come in more often. Clubs, some, are coming at this from the wrong angle.

It’s a nice line but you know it’s not true - because your subs pays for more than the upkeep of the golf course.

But therein lies the core of the bar and food levy debate. Some join a golf club to play golf; others join a golf club to become a member of a golf club…part (for many if not most - the main part) of which is to play golf.

And as for many things in life that we pay for, some of what we pay goes towards things we don’t use but others do and that we know others value. And in the main we are ok with, or at least we accept, that.

 

[PaulMdj]

It’s a nice line but you know it’s not true - because your subs pays for more than the upkeep of the golf course.

But therein lies the core of the bar and food levy debate. Some join a golf club to play golf; others join a golf club to become a member of a golf club…part (for many if not most - the main part) of which is to play golf.

And as for many things in life that we pay for, some of what we pay goes towards things we don’t use but others do and that we know others value. And in the main we are ok with, or at least we accept, that.

No and double No! All the things you talk about that need paying at a Golf Club should be paid for by membership fees. Staff wages, Equipment, etc etc.

A bar levy is for something above beyond that and don’t forget you are giving them a loan which is returned to you on day 1 or day 365 with or without interest.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

No and double No! All the things you talk about that need paying at a Golf Club should be paid for by membership fees. Staff wages, Equipment, etc etc.

A bar levy is for something above beyond that and don’t forget you are giving them a loan which is returned to you on day 1 or day 365 with or without interest.

Which bit of the @Lord Tyrion post did I highlight?

I then simply made the point that if a club asks for me to make an outlay to b&f as part of my annual membership fee, then IMO that is part of my being a member - but that is also me taking the latter and broader view about what joining a golf club is about. Others will take the former more restricted view - and it seems to me that, in the main, it is that group for whom a b&f ‘levy’ is unacceptable. But it comes down to what being a member of a golf club means to the individual.

 

[Pants]

A bar levy is for something above beyond that and don’t forget you are giving them a loan which is returned to you on day 1 or day 365 with or without interest.

In my experience, most of the clubs that I visit as a member's guest give a discount on food and drink purchased using the bar card. Usually it is 10% discount but there is one that I know that give a 20% discount (and their beer price is nowhere near £6/7 per pint that some have mentioned). They have a £200 "levy" but effectively the member can buy £250 worth of food/drink for that initial outlay. I don't think that the members feel that they are being conned.

I accept though that not all clubs are the same.

 

[PaulMdj]

Which bit of the @Lord Tyrion post did I highlight?

I then simply made the point that if a club asks for me to make an outlay to b&f as part of my annual membership fee, then IMO that is part of my being a member - but that is also me taking the latter and broader view about what joining a golf club is about. Others will take the former more restricted view - and it seems to me that, in the main, it is that group for whom a b&f ‘levy’ is unacceptable. But it comes down to what being a member of a golf club means to the individual.

You mentioned paying for many things in life that we pay for and are not using it.

No one on here has an issue paying their membership fees and the said fee being used for all aspects of what goes in to running a golf club, whether they be a car park golfer or a member of any of the committees.

The issue is nobody has categorically stated why a golf club has a bar levy, the answers have been vague or a guess, ie, each Club is different.

I pay ours, doesn’t bother me and for me outlaying an extra £50.00 I get £55.00 back in goods, the club, I believe then has a lump sum upfront to negotiate better deals for the bar.

So can you answer why yous have a bar levy and what it is used for?

I genuinely believe a levy is probably a historical thing with some clubs, because they’ve always had a levy!

 

[PaulMdj]

In my experience, most of the clubs that I visit as a member's guest give a discount on food and drink purchased using the bar card. Usually it is 10% discount but there is one that I know that give a 20% discount (and their beer price is nowhere near £6/7 per pint that some have mentioned). They have a £200 "levy" but effectively the member can buy £250 worth of food/drink for that initial outlay. I don't think that the members feel that they are being conned.

I accept though that not all clubs are the same.

And I accept and agree what you are saying, but what if a member doesn’t drink or wish to use the bar?

They have 2 choices, Find another club or pay up.

It would be nice if we knew for definite just why a particular club has a bar levy.

 

[Mandofred]

And I accept and agree what you are saying, but what if a member doesn’t drink or wish to use the bar?

They have 2 choices, Find another club or pay up.

It would be nice if we knew for definite just why a particular club has a bar levy.

That is kind of what I was after in earlier posts. If a club puts on a minor bar fee (£50-75 whatever).....I don't mind doing that since I will spend it. The clubs that are putting on £200+ seems a bit mad to me. But....other than guesses from people, WHY is it so necessary to do so? The answer does seem to be a "mystical" answer......at the end of the year the bar folks should get the same amount of money...yes? If I were working and had the choice of being paid a lump sum at the beginning of the year and then smaller monthly amounts....or just take the same amount every month, I'd take the same consistent amount. There is a guy I play with who really really hates clubs that force you to pay that bar levy.....he really doesn't like it because he isn't being given the choice.

 

[MACM85]

My club has a levy of £200 when renewing and it scales depending on what membership you have. I don't mind the levy as I will spend it behind the bar and on food. Only pain is that the Mrs and I renew at the same time so I end up paying £400 for us both

 

[sunshine]

The issue is nobody has categorically stated why a golf club has a bar levy, the answers have been vague or a guess, ie, each Club is different.

At least three different people have provided reasons. Your contributions are completely pointless if you're going to pose questions and not bother reading the replies.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

So can you answer why yous have a bar levy and what it is used for?

I genuinely believe a levy is probably a historical thing with some clubs, because they’ve always had a levy!

It’s used to for us car park golfers to subsidise food and drink for the seniors who use the clubhouse as a social club.

 

[sunshine]

It’s used to for us car park golfers to subsidise food and drink for the seniors who use the clubhouse as a social club.

And to save on their home heating bill

 

[PaulMdj]

At least three different people have provided reasons. Your contributions are completely pointless if you're going to pose questions and not bother reading the replies.

Please feel free to show me as I and others have not seen them.

 

[simsini]

A lot of these arguments amount to some people feel like they have joined a golf course, whereas others have joined a golf club. I don't see golf club membership as simply playing 18 holes and going home. There are occasions I need to do that as I'm busy, but usually I stay and have a drink with the people I have played with, that's just common courtesy. When we play in the swindle, we all have a drink waiting for everyone to finish too. I can't imagine never going into the clubhouse at all. Are there really people here who spend absolutely nothing at the club, other than their membership fees? Nothing at all on food, drink etc?

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

A lot of these arguments amount to some people feel like they have joined a golf course, whereas others have joined a golf club. I don't see golf club membership as simply playing 18 holes and going home. There are occasions I need to do that as I'm busy, but usually I stay and have a drink with the people I have played with, that's just common courtesy. When we play in the swindle, we all have a drink waiting for everyone to finish too. I can't imagine never going into the clubhouse at all. Are there really people here who spend absolutely nothing at the club, other than their membership fees? Nothing at all on food, drink etc?

Why is it common courtesy to go into the clubhouse and have a drink with someone you have just spent 4hours with?

 

[Slab]

The issue is nobody has categorically stated why a golf club has a bar levy, the answers have been vague or a guess, ie, each Club is different

Still not categoric but in my opinion (& I’ve never paid a levy so take this with a pinch of a crumbled up oxo cube if you like)… a golf club levy, be it exclusively for bar/food or all clubhouse spends, is there for the same reason many other features exist in a members golf club from dress codes to winter rules… control

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

A lot of these arguments amount to some people feel like they have joined a golf course, whereas others have joined a golf club. I don't see golf club membership as simply playing 18 holes and going home. There are occasions I need to do that as I'm busy, but usually I stay and have a drink with the people I have played with, that's just common courtesy. When we play in the swindle, we all have a drink waiting for everyone to finish too. I can't imagine never going into the clubhouse at all. Are there really people here who spend absolutely nothing at the club, other than their membership fees? Nothing at all on food, drink etc?

I see both sides of the argument. There will be occasions where I do not enter the clubhouse at all after a round, due to work and family commitments but whenever that happens I inform them before we tee off of my intentions and of the reasons why that week I won’t be socialising afterwards.

Other times more often than not I will go in the clubhouse, have a coffee or soft drink, doubt I’d buy food as I’d rather eat at home with the Wife and kids. I still don’t believe in paying a Levy up front though, I don’t care if that excludes me from discounted options . I simply would rather spend my money out of choice and not be forced to pay up front do something that I could go months without using due to work. Happy to pay my membership, support the club and make purchases of my own choosing though.

 

[PaulMdj]

A lot of these arguments amount to some people feel like they have joined a golf course, whereas others have joined a golf club. I don't see golf club membership as simply playing 18 holes and going home. There are occasions I need to do that as I'm busy, but usually I stay and have a drink with the people I have played with, that's just common courtesy. When we play in the swindle, we all have a drink waiting for everyone to finish too. I can't imagine never going into the clubhouse at all. Are there really people here who spend absolutely nothing at the club, other than their membership fees? Nothing at all on food, drink etc?

We have a membership of around 450, we have a £50.00 levy, out of that we have 2 members, I know of, who will not put a foot inside the bar.

One is a recovering alcoholic and that’s his way of controlling his demon’s, the other I have no idea why.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Do people need to know “why”


If you want to know why a club has xy and z then ask them

I don’t think you will ever get the answer that you will be satisfied with

The “why” will be very much dependent on the club

And sometimes the why might - because that’s what they do

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

You mentioned paying for many things in life that we pay for and are not using it.

No one on here has an issue paying their membership fees and the said fee being used for all aspects of what goes in to running a golf club, whether they be a car park golfer or a member of any of the committees.

The issue is nobody has categorically stated why a golf club has a bar levy, the answers have been vague or a guess, ie, each Club is different.

I pay ours, doesn’t bother me and for me outlaying an extra £50.00 I get £55.00 back in goods, the club, I believe then has a lump sum upfront to negotiate better deals for the bar.

So can you answer why yous have a bar levy and what it is used for?

I genuinely believe a levy is probably a historical thing with some clubs, because they’ve always had a levy!

I do not know the rationale but I’d imagine it enables the b&f function to plan ahead with specific focus on staffing. My club wishes to, and does, provide a 7-day catering function for members - one chef cannot do that. Having a guaranteed minimum income through the ‘levy’ enables the club to employ a sous chef…to support our chef on busy club days; when catering for societies, functions and special dining events - and to give our chef a 5-day week and holidays, plus cover for sickness.

And I guess also that it enables the club to give members a 15% discount on advertised prices.

But since the question is asked and I don’t know the answer, then maybe I’ll ask the ‘Why?’ question of the club.

 

[PaulMdj]

I do not know the rationale but I’d imagine it enables the b&f function to plan ahead with specific focus on staffing. My club wishes to, and does, provide a 7-day catering function for members - one chef cannot do that. Having a guaranteed minimum income through the ‘levy’ enables the club to employ a sous chef…to support our chef on busy club days; when catering for societies, functions and special dining events - and to give our chef a 5-day week and holidays, plus cover for sickness.

And I guess also that it enables the club to give members a 15% discount on advertised prices.

But since the question is asked and I don’t know the answer, then maybe I’ll ask the ‘Why?’ question of the club.

Cheers for the reply, I’d be surprised if the levy is used for wages, I’d of thought that would be looked after under membership fees.