Are Golf Clubs Slowly Dying?

[Parmo]

Since most clubs are now having to offer no or a reduced joining fee then I would say they are dying to a degree.

As golf has needed to open up to all walks of people then more people are questioning the real need for joining fees when the market is now in the hands of the golfer not the clubs, which for most people is a good thing.

If you are playing 3, 4 or 5 times a week any membership can be looked at a bargain even one at £2k a year, but most 20-40 year olds can only play on a weekends and nights in the summer, so the real value is they support the older members of the club which to me makes no sense as generally the senior members get cheaper subs.

I have heard mention on here where you buy a number of rounds per year (subsidised) and use them up with no joining fee, if older members want to play more then they pay to do so not off the backs of other golfers.

 

[viscount17]

If you are playing 3, 4 or 5 times a week any membership can be looked at a bargain even one at £2k a year, but most 20-40 year olds can only play on a weekends and nights in the summer, so the real value is they support the older members of the club which to me makes no sense as generally the senior members get cheaper subs.

why only 20-40 year olds? Retirement age is still 65 and many are having to work past that.

What you really mean is 'those not in employment' as a number of muni's offer reductions to the 'unwaged'.

 

[USER1999]

May be there are way too many below average golf courses / clubs, and that what is needed is a cull?

 

[Parmo]

If you are playing 3, 4 or 5 times a week any membership can be looked at a bargain even one at £2k a year, but most 20-40 year olds can only play on a weekends and nights in the summer, so the real value is they support the older members of the club which to me makes no sense as generally the senior members get cheaper subs.

why only 20-40 year olds? Retirement age is still 65 and many are having to work past that.

What you really mean is 'those not in employment' as a number of muni's offer reductions to the 'unwaged'.

*typo I meant 20-60 year olds

I wasnt talking about the unemployed at all but since you mentioned it yes they do and rightly so. I was talking about the early retired people and those in their 50s working part time who pay min subs yet use the course the most and vice versa for people working full time.