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Wanted some opinions on the vexed subject of raising Membership subscriptions & Joining Fees.
Since the pandemic golf clubs have seen an exponential rise in playing numbers within UK, mostly from women & younger persons not normally attracted to the game, in addition to those wishing to play a new hobby or simply keep fit & socialise within a friendly environment.
I have had notification from several golfing friends around the country as to their clubs raising Membership Fee, Visitor playing fees, Guest fees & most strikingly of all Joining Fees. The latter was always seen as a barrier to certain sections of society whereby clubs where operating a form of financial apartheid. This was slowly being worn away over the past 15 years due to a dramatic fall in playing numbers & Full Member status at clubs around the UK.
My club has recently decided to double the Joining Fee & raise Subs by 10%, alongside raising Members Guest rates by 75%. The view of many at our club is this is being imposed at a time of deep financial worry for many, in the middle of a cost of living crisis & worse of all at a time the R&A alongside the home Unions are trying desperately to sell the game to those from lower social & financial backgrounds. In short, it is opportunism & short sighted of clubs to be imposing these increases at this time.
Just wanted some opinions from the experienced golfers on this Forum.
Since the pandemic golf clubs have seen an exponential rise in playing numbers within UK, mostly from women & younger persons not normally attracted to the game, in addition to those wishing to play a new hobby or simply keep fit & socialise within a friendly environment.
I have had notification from several golfing friends around the country as to their clubs raising Membership Fee, Visitor playing fees, Guest fees & most strikingly of all Joining Fees. The latter was always seen as a barrier to certain sections of society whereby clubs where operating a form of financial apartheid. This was slowly being worn away over the past 15 years due to a dramatic fall in playing numbers & Full Member status at clubs around the UK.
My club has recently decided to double the Joining Fee & raise Subs by 10%, alongside raising Members Guest rates by 75%. The view of many at our club is this is being imposed at a time of deep financial worry for many, in the middle of a cost of living crisis & worse of all at a time the R&A alongside the home Unions are trying desperately to sell the game to those from lower social & financial backgrounds. In short, it is opportunism & short sighted of clubs to be imposing these increases at this time.
Just wanted some opinions from the experienced golfers on this Forum.