Clubs to relax rules

[HomerJSimpson]

We try and attach events onto the back of a nine hole social game as it's been found to get the biggest cross section of ages. We have a couple of 18 hole shotgun events with a BBQ or other events in the middle of summer. These are heavily over subscribed. A lot of our events however (bingo, race nights, quiz nights) do seem to attract a same hardcore of members and not so many of the younger end of the age brackets

 

[Grant85]

I think a lot depends on the location. Clubs in or close to residential areas should find it much easier to attract people for social, either casual or organised, events. And a lot of clubs are basically surviving on hosting weekend parties or functions where mostly non-members attend.

I do think it is a generational thing, although I would question if a lot of the older people attending these events were doing so when they had children. People generally have kids in their 30s now, so that might take them until 50 before they are free to do these things.

However ultimately Golf Clubs are in the main old fashioned places to sit in. Most can’t afford to modernise their property save for the odd coat of paint or new tables. And if a club was going to spend serious money on their property, most would probably make the same mistakes rather than really trying to create a contemporary space that people would chose to attend rather than a restaurant or wine bar

 

[williamalex1]

I think a lot depends on the location. Clubs in or close to residential areas should find it much easier to attract people for social, either casual or organised, events. And a lot of clubs are basically surviving on hosting weekend parties or functions where mostly non-members attend.

I do think it is a generational thing, although I would question if a lot of the older people attending these events were doing so when they had children. People generally have kids in their 30s now, so that might take them until 50 before they are free to do these things.

However ultimately Golf Clubs are in the main old fashioned places to sit in. Most can’t afford to modernise their property save for the odd coat of paint or new tables. And if a club was going to spend serious money on their property, most would probably make the same mistakes rather than really trying to create a contemporary space that people would chose to attend rather than a restaurant or wine bar

My 7 man sports quiz team consists of 2 mid 30s 1@50, 1@60, 2 "@65 ish and me 72.
A good spread of ages and knowledge, fingers crossed.

 

[Sweep]

A good few years ago I took over as social chair at my club and formed a new committee. One of the ladies made the case for stiring things up a bit. Said we should put on a good band and even offered to go round the usual venues in the town to check a few out. She came up with a cover band who seemed to specialise in Black Sabbath. Her reasoning was that we are pretty much all of the age that grew up with rock music. She was right. The night sold out in hours and went down a storm.
Like others, we regularly sell out social events mainly due to excellent caterers and imaginative events.
Whilst I am sure we would all like to attract the under 40’s, the truth is the majority of most club members is over that age and so the average age of those attending is not surprising.

 

[Hobbit]

With the average age of members well into their 50’s, no kids at home and more disposable income who would a marketing manager target?

Not saying it’s right, just an observation.

 

[OLgolfer]

I go to my club to play golf and have a beer after golf. Not interested in social events at all, and this is the view shared by most, if not all, of my mid 30’s age group that I know.

Living in London do I want to go to my club in the evening for some crap food, rubbish ‘entertainment’ and old fashioned views on life... or do I go into town with my friends to places of quality..?

Actually, the real answer is that I stay at home because of small kids and those moments at home with the little ones and the wife are priceless in the busy world we are surrounded by.

We have soo much more choice today than 20/30 years ago. Even a pub can serve up a decent meal..! The pubs are dying as a community centre, and so are golf clubs.

If you want attract the younger generation then remember you are up against a lot of competition.

 

[Wolf]

I go to my club to play golf and have a beer after golf. Not interested in social events at all, and this is the view shared by most, if not all, of my mid 30’s age group that I know.

Living in London do I want to go to my club in the evening for some crap food, rubbish ‘entertainment’ and old fashioned views on life... or do I go into town with my friends to places of quality..?

Actually, the real answer is that I stay at home because of small kids and those moments at home with the little ones and the wife are priceless in the busy world we are surrounded by.

We have soo much more choice today than 20/30 years ago. Even a pub can serve up a decent meal..! The pubs are dying as a community centre, and so are golf clubs.

If you want attract the younger generation then remember you are up against a lot of competition.

This absolutely nails it for me, except swap London for Lincoln.

Mid 30s, have a young family so any evening socialising is with them or taking the Mrs out for a break so more likely to head into Lincoln or a nearby village for a quiet well made meal.

Our club is doing a few more bits from what I can see but your right golf clubs are not community hubs perhaps that's something they either need to accept or look at changing

 

[OLgolfer]

This absolutely nails it for me, except swap London for Lincoln.

Mid 30s, have a young family so any evening socialising is with them or taking the Mrs out for a break so more likely to head into Lincoln or a nearby village for a quiet well made meal.

Our club is doing a few more bits from what I can see but your right golf clubs are not community hubs perhaps that's something they either need to accept or look at changing

I should also add, that young (ish) professionals like myself and all my mates who play golf are trying to spend less time at the golf club, rather than more. Demand on time is incredible, so forget social events. If we can play once a week, or once every 10 days then that's brilliant, but the aim is to get in and out as quickly as possible squeezing in 18 holes and beer before heading home for family duties in the afternoon.

Maybe my mates and I are not a good cross section of the mid 30's golfer, but I bet our circumstances and lifestyle make up a large proportion of our age group.

 

[Wolf]

I should also add, that young (ish) professionals like myself and all my mates who play golf are trying to spend less time at the golf club, rather than more. Demand on time is incredible, so forget social events. If we can play once a week, or once every 10 days then that's brilliant, but the aim is to get in and out as quickly as possible squeezing in 18 holes and beer before heading home for family duties in the afternoon.

Maybe my mates and I are not a good cross section of the mid 30's golfer, but I bet our circumstances and lifestyle make up a large proportion of our age group.

I'd say what you have said makes up the vast majority of casual golfers in their late 20's the late 30's. Its around this time most start a family or are at their busiest with work so golf puts a huge time constraint on us all.

I've said on many threads I like you don't spend much time at the club outside playing because of family and making sure I'm putting them first.

Perhaps clubs need to evaluate the community idea and offer something to entice that family life ethos. I know Keith Pelly has mentioned it a lot in interviews recently

 

[Bxm Foxy]

Golf Clubs have to relax rules, it really is ridiculous to still enforce a jacket etc. When I play, I pay and play at a course with hotel / spa, so no dress code in the bar. Really not sure I could bother being a member of a club with a strict dress code anymore. However, each to their own!