LincolnShep
Head Pro
At least you have the world's widest fairway to aim at.
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Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Arthur Wedge
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Running and maintaining a golf club is expensive
Ian Baker-Finch hit the road the other side of 18… his game was pretty much gone by then.
IanM
Journeyman Pro
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In East Lothian?
sunshine
Well-known member
This thread really illustrates the gulf in the cost of living across the country.
sunshine
Well-known member
I watched Seve hook it out of bounds from the 18th tee
simsini
Well-known member
A hypothetical, yet realistic example... say there are two clubs. One in the North East that charges £600 per year, one in the South East that charges £2,000 per year. Both clubs say that their membership fees will increase 10% purely due to the running costs of the existing club. No excess spending on course improvements etc, just day to day spending. They both say they are breaking even, and if you played both courses, you would suggest they are in similar condition.
How does it cost so much more to run the club in the South East? Many of their fixed costs will be similar for equipment, energy, supplies. There will be differences in Business Rates and salaries for staff, but there won't be that much difference to justify such a difference surely?
How does it cost so much more to run the club in the South East? Many of their fixed costs will be similar for equipment, energy, supplies. There will be differences in Business Rates and salaries for staff, but there won't be that much difference to justify such a difference surely?
JonnyGutteridge
Newbie
I was thinking this as well. I guess they’d argue they’re paying a Surrey tax to everyone that they outsource business to… Whether that’s accountants, lawyers, tradesmen, specialists in any fields etc and then some key people within the club, ie. Head greenkeepers, General Managers and Club Pros.
The bulk of the staff, be it catering, bar, greenkeepers, assistant pros, probably don’t actually get paid a whole lot above min wage. So there’d be no real difference based on location.
As you say, energy, water, equipment won’t vary.
D-S
Well-known member
There is quite a disparity between clubs in and around Bristol and Bath and those more in the country. You can’t really pay less than £1200 or more than £1700 in and around those cities irrespective of quality but you can get golf in the countryside for £700 to under £1000 including courses like Painswick, Cleeve Hill or Stinchcombe.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
It might be that clubs know the local average wage is higher so they just charge more because they can - and everyone knows that expensive clubs are always better 
moogie
Tour Winner
Maybe some clubs just charge what they think they can get away with??
Id say at a guess tho, with a few exceptions, most clubs in the north east where I am, are probably run with less greens staff, the bare minimum at most clubs here.
Clubs here are very conscious of any big jumps in membership fees.
Though this year, there are more clubs here now, that cost £1000 plus, per year, than there's ever been before.
Id say at a guess tho, with a few exceptions, most clubs in the north east where I am, are probably run with less greens staff, the bare minimum at most clubs here.
Clubs here are very conscious of any big jumps in membership fees.
Though this year, there are more clubs here now, that cost £1000 plus, per year, than there's ever been before.
doublebogey7
Head Pro
That doesn't explain where the extra income goes for what in the main are not for profit organisations.It might be that clubs know the local average wage is higher so they just charge more because they can - and everyone knows that expensive clubs are always better
It is very very difficult to compare a course and their costs in the north with one in the south, but part of the different in costs will likely be down to expectaions of members. In the south as a general rule, members will expect near perfect conditions all year round for the silly money they are paying. They will also expect the bar and catering offering to be of a higher grade. They also, I expect, rely less on volunteers and so have to employ staff or contractors to do everything.
I had a quick look when @simsini posed his, very astute, question. Taking 3 highly regarded clubs in the area, Brancepeth, Whitley Bay and Hexham, all now are roundabout the £1,000 mark. That surprised me. I didn't think we were at that stage but clearly we are.
I knew that those around Newcastle were tipping £1,000 but maybe that is the norm for a good course now?
Still the best all round price? You have to take your hat off to Foxton (Alnmouth for those outside the region), £735
. For the whole package of that club, remarkable.
simsini
Well-known member
Just looked at Alnmouth, looks great. Would be an easy £2,000 if it was in Kent. Would also love to see what they spend to keep the membership fees at £735, and how it compares to round here too.I had a quick look when @simsini posed his, very astute, question. Taking 3 highly regarded clubs in the area, Brancepeth, Whitley Bay and Hexham, all now are roundabout the £1,000 mark. That surprised me. I didn't think we were at that stage but clearly we are.
I knew that those around Newcastle were tipping £1,000 but maybe that is the norm for a good course now?
Still the best all round price? You have to take your hat off to Foxton (Alnmouth for those outside the region), £735
It's an incredibly well run club that has invested a good amount in recent years. They are not running on the margins, squirrelling away money, they have been spending it. Always in good condition, it is a real example of how to run a members club, imo.
They do have some on site accomodation that makes them money, allowing them to offer golf trips, but even so they are clearly doing something very right indeed.
simsini
Well-known member
I've just looked at property prices on Right Move, I'm moving!
Lucifer MorningStar
Well-known member
I’ve pondered this question as well in my hunt for membership. The difference in fees in the area where I live ranges from £749 to £2700 that’s based on a 15mile radius from home, in which there are dozens of clubs. You can’t tell me in that area the costs of Water, energy , wages paid to club staff etc varies a great deal.
But yet people pay it and as long as they do clubs will remain the prices they are. The cheapest one is actually a wonderfully kept 9 hole course with 2 separate sets of tee that create 2 different 9’s. It’s always in great nick, really good fairways and greens plus it’s a good test of your game.
The dearest one is North Hants, it is a superb course to be fair and it’s an affluent area so can charge it. But you also have a £5k joining fee to add onto it and quite few hoops to jump through to join.
I guess I’m lucky as we have a good array of choice and generally all well looked after. But the differences in fees is mad considering the close proximity of so many clubs. I guess charging more makes people feel more exclusive, keeps numbers down but revenue high allowing possibly a more intimate membership experience!
But yet people pay it and as long as they do clubs will remain the prices they are. The cheapest one is actually a wonderfully kept 9 hole course with 2 separate sets of tee that create 2 different 9’s. It’s always in great nick, really good fairways and greens plus it’s a good test of your game.
The dearest one is North Hants, it is a superb course to be fair and it’s an affluent area so can charge it. But you also have a £5k joining fee to add onto it and quite few hoops to jump through to join.
I guess I’m lucky as we have a good array of choice and generally all well looked after. But the differences in fees is mad considering the close proximity of so many clubs. I guess charging more makes people feel more exclusive, keeps numbers down but revenue high allowing possibly a more intimate membership experience!
Lucifer MorningStar
Well-known member
Looks wonderful, how do the locals feel about a slightly common speaking, tattoo covered southerner moving to the area. For those prices and local housing costs feels mad for me to stay where I am
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
It's very difficult to "match" clubs in this respect.
Unless they're virtually identical in size, number of members, greenkeepers, office, kitchen and maintenance staff, amount of machinery required etc etc etc...then you're really holding a finger in the wind..
I totally get what's being said on this but it's so hard to have 2 identical clubs at opposite ends of the country and try to glean why one costs 1k more than the other...
Unless they're virtually identical in size, number of members, greenkeepers, office, kitchen and maintenance staff, amount of machinery required etc etc etc...then you're really holding a finger in the wind..
I totally get what's being said on this but it's so hard to have 2 identical clubs at opposite ends of the country and try to glean why one costs 1k more than the other...
