How is the recession affecting your golf?

[backwoodsman]

Have to say that I don't feel affected yet. Stuff in shops - including golf shops - seems to be permanently discounted. Recently had new irons, a wedge, a putter plus new bag & trolley. Can't see me changing again soon but that's only cos it's all new.

Will be looking to replace woods in new year.

Not a member of club - but am still looking to get in somewhere soon.

So, no, golf not yet affected (after all HID doesn't mind being out on the game for an extra night or two...)

 

[need_my_wedge]

All of my kit is a year old or less, no need to update any of it. I don't have a 3 wood, but that's already in my Christmas stocking. The only thing I don't have is a trolley, which leaves me a manufacturer choice come the sales. Will be renewing membership of the club I joined this September, as monthly payments make it silly not too. The benefits far outweigh paying £20 - £25 per round if I pay as I play.

Now that all said and done, my job was put at risk 3 weeks ago, I survived the cut, so for now, life carries on as normal. Mortgage rate has dropped considerably as I am on a Bank of England base rate tracker, been very fortunate for me. So unless the work situation changes drastically, I have no need to change anything regarding my golf, in fact with the membership set I plan to play a lot more than last year. If I do get made redundant, all kit will have been purchased and will suffice for a few years, and membership will allow me to play every day at no extra charge

 

[Cernunnos]

So,is anyone on the forum...
Letting (or thinking of letting) their membership lapse
Expecting to play less golf next year
Not taking lessons with a PGA pro
Will not upgrade their gear as often/at all
Dropping their annual golfing holiday/lads golf trip away
Not going to the Open/PGA etc
Sky/Setanata subscriptions
Golf magazine subscriptions!!!!

Or, are you going to battle thought it and make cut backs elsewhere in order to keep on playing/watching/reading as much as possible. If so where will you make those cut backs...

Giving up the gym/taking a vow of abstinence/no non-golf holiday/no new shoes for the kids etc etc!

Thanks in advance for your sage words

Not given up anything yet with the credit crunch & this impending resession, however I will admit that I have certainly been considering what I might cut back on.

Now I changed the club I play at a few months ago to one that potentially is more expensive, but includes gym membership in the price. Come the end of March this situation will be re-assessed.

Now as I envisage needing to do a lot more overtime to make ends meet & do a lot of DIY around the home to prepare for the possibility that I may need to sell up if the worst should happen, then regular golf in 2009 may be at a premium & therefore club membership may be the first of many things that will be shelved. Meaning I will simply Pay'n'play at the nearest muni when they do off peak rates to get the occasional round in to practice for golfing breaks in the UK.

Now this (Golfing short-breaks) is something I am not prepared to compromise on. Its these trips away that make my whole golfing year worth while. I always look for the best deals on the best places I can afford to play & this will continue. Though I may possibly not treat myself as much in the hotels as I otherwise might. I'll certainly be taking my own supply of malt whisky on golf-hotel trips.

I always go to the British Masters which is probably one of the best value for money golf sporting events I know of appart fromperhaps certain ladies & seniors events, which I may look more & more to attend also in 2009 & 2010. So if anything I may actually treat myself & my partner to more live golf events & look for the occasional free pro-am event to watch golf.

As for Sky & Sky Sports, this will be something I may need to cut back on or find ways of making beter value for money. I've not considered Satanta as its generally mostly American events & European Tour does not feature so unlikly to consider adding this at all to the viewing package.

I currently read near enough every British Golf Magazine on the shelves & subscribe to Golf World & religiously get Golf Monthly. I can see myself simply having two magazines a month from now on in Golf Monthly & Golf World... But the decision about that will wait till the new year when I can decide what gives me the best value for money combined with the best information on the sport as a whole across the board.

There will be a lot of things that will be cut back on a lot less general socialising or eating out, a lot less buying of gear & clothes, but certain expensive Items will still have to be treated to when affordable.



But in short & in answer to the initial question....:-

I may let Club membershiplapse & go pay & play again & less often. Or join one of the cheaper clubs near me.

So less regular golf instead of the more that I'd intended upon.

Golf lessons may well be the first victim of 2009, less golf means less value for money in having lessons, so either a lot less often or even not at all.

I actually see no reason at all to upgrade my equipment further with the exception of certain expensive Items like Golf GPS, but even that may well wait If I find I'm playing less. Who knows, unless I see the right deal. But no other major upgrades, may even try a bit harder to sell on my spare Golfing items.

No compromise on amount of golfing trips away from home. This will not change.

If anything time allowing I may actually attend more livegolf events. especially free practice & pro-am days.

Possibly more planning of when to subscribe to sky sports & when not to... Therefore more reseach on screened events in the golfing diary.

Not totally decided what to do about golfing magazines, but may not buy every issue if every magazine. Possibly limit to two subscribed if dealis right.

 

[markwarne]

Hi Mike

I am looking at this in a number of ways:

1) I am getting made redundant at the end of Jan 09 and will use the free time not only to look for new work, but to go out and improve my golf. It may only be for a month or two, but 2 - 4 times a week is better than once a week and it will stand me in good stead for when the new season starts.

2) Regarding lessons. At £23 per week, this is something I am going to continue with. I know that these amounts add up, but I will make sacrifices in other areas to ensure my main hobby does not suffer.

3) New Kit. All tooled up with new clubs in October so no need to invest. Don't necessarily believe in investing in the latest shiney stick purely because it is the latest shiney stick. I will only invest when my game requires it. And I made hay whilst the sun shone in terms of buying new clubs, so no need to worry about spending now.

4) Memebership. This is one area where I will definitely not waiver. My golf membership is an integral part of my game and life. It keeps me socially active, it introduces me to new friends and also - and perhaps somewhat selifshly - you never know who you will meet on the golf course who may be a great contact on a professional front.

5) Away Days. Again, very important to stay in touch with friends who I may only see once every 6 months and if a £50 2-Fore-1 is the price, I can sacrifice a night or two out.

Ultimately, the credit crunch affects everyone. However, I also look at it as an opportunity to improve on the pastime that I cherish.

 

[pcowgill]

The major problem for me has been the massive fall of the Pound against the Euro - nearly 30% in 12 months. This means golf holidays to Spain and Portugal etc for UK golfers will increase dramatically even though the hotels and golf courses have held their € prices.

 

[GolfNow]

The major problem for me has been the massive fall of the Pound against the Euro - nearly 30% in 12 months. This means golf holidays to Spain and Portugal etc for UK golfers will increase dramatically even though the hotels and golf courses have held their € prices.

Yes, there has really been a massive fall of the pound against the euro. Let's hope the pound will have a better exchange rate next summer so the golf holidays to these countries will still be affordable for people from the UK.

 

[brendy]

I know there is a recession in progress at the moment but I have yet to find anything negative to say about my circumstances. Fuel is getting cheaper, food is dropping a little in price, mortgage interest rate is becoming almost laughable in a good way and I am still online for the usual payrise in January and Xmas bonus was up nearly 50% this year. My membership to the golf club has risen by 40-50 pounds, I know this is not due to rising costs, it is down to the club making the decision to do away with 5 and 6 day membership and merge those who want to, to become full members. Around 40 members have been rumoured to be resigning this year as it doesnt suit so a small increase needed to be made to everyones membership. This year it is 836 though this includes greenfees, club membership, insurance, GUI membership and also locker hire for the year (£30).
Lessons, I will be having a few at least and really want to get a session with our pro in his new indoors lab to see if anything can be done to get a little more consistency.

As far as kit is concerned, I am still going to get a new pair of my joys after xmas hopefully whether the missus gets them for me or not, possibly a new 5 wood and almost definately a new carry bag.
The area I work in is unaffected by any recession or hard times most other folk experience and I actually enjoy what I do though golf is very much my time where I can relax and concentrate on something non work nor family related and it seems to keep me sane, why would I give this up?

 

[fade_away]

Fortunately the recession does not seem to have adversely affected me so far. I'm still buying too many clubs, magazines etc
One advantage is that I have just joined a new club and got 4 months free (16 months for the price of 12). I also paid the yearly fees in one hit so that in the event I get made redundant I can carry on playing for at least another year. Although how I would be able to play with last years clubs is beyond me )

 

[Ken_A]

Letting (or thinking of letting) their membership lapse
Expecting to play less golf next year
Not taking lessons with a PGA pro
Will not upgrade their gear as often/at all
Dropping their annual golfing holiday/lads golf trip away
Not going to the Open/PGA etc
Sky/Setanata subscriptions
Golf magazine subscriptions!!!!

Myself and my wife have both lost our jobs jue to the credit crunch, and I must admit that golf and my young son are the only things that have kept me from severe depression. I now play 4/5 times a week and really enjoy it even in the worst weather. I have improved a lot and as you can see from my sig I have done ok from playing lots.
On the flip side I think I will sell my car to pay my years subs, I have won a few quid thus I will take lessons until it runs out (hope to win a few more quid with lessons - thus more lessons). I have cut back on the following cancilled my SKY, limit myself to 1 golf mag per month max, I intend to play more next season, I have a notion on changing my Irons but this may have to want for another year or two.
There is no plans to play other courses and due to the very weak Stirling and 1:1 euro I doubt that even if we get jobs there will be no golfing or summer hols this year.

 

[Cernunnos]

Although not adversly affected by the recession as yet, I have decided that Paying exorbitant amounts for golf course membership must go on hold, at least for the time being. In other words; I shall not be renewing this year. I may or may not choose a certain couple of local'ish municipal courses to play for this next season starting in April when re-newal is due at the current very nice course.

My thinking being, I do not know what 2009 has in store & with the uncertain atmosphere currently, knowing I need to do a lot of DIY In & around the home.

Hummed & harred about it for some time, but the decision has been made & think its the wisest one to make. As 2010 may hold opertunities in other vistas & regions.