Intersting Article Reduced Fees for Seniors

[GB72]

Interesting article this

http://www.golfclubmanagement.net/2012/02/legislation-preventing-senior-discounts-is-shelved/

It appears that legislation preventing clubs allowing discounts for seniors has been shelved. Interesting to hear what people think, should everyone be charged the same or should different age groups be charged different amounds

 

[spawn_ukuk]

Considering the elder folk most likely wont be working and much more free time
you'd be crazy not to lower prices for them,
free time + cheap fees = ?

 

[AmandaJR]

I'd expect all adults to be charged the same rate with concessions for juniors. Seems to me those that get the most from their membership are the Senior section so not sure why they should pay less. I'm fortunate to not work a 5 day week but many non-seniors pay 7 day membership so they can play 2 days a week.

 

[bigslice]

my grandpa was a member at turnberry for 49 years. in his 49th year he was ill and only joined because once you reached 50 years it became FREE. at 86 years old thats some incentive to beat cancer but sadly it wasnt to be. if juniors pay a reduced rate why cant coffin dodgers sorry OAP's pay a reduced rate

 

[leaney]

It should be up to the individual golf club. But if I owned a golf club, I certainly would not lower my prices for someone who would have the time to play 24/7.

 

[nufc86]

Don't you think it's the older generation that spend more time at the bar though?

 

[Dodger]

People are living longer so I don't think they should get reductions nor should they get a 'loyalty' for being a member of a club and be receiving free golf when theysay reach 80.

 

[Dodger]

Don't you think it's the older generation that spend more time at the bar though?

In my experience they nurse a half cordial and water for 2 hours then claim they keep the club going.....whatever.

 

[moogie]

My opinion
ONE FEE -- Full Member -- all ages 21 upwards -- Gents , Ladies , Seniors -- same fee
Heavy discounts for those upto 21yrs though

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Don't you think it's the older generation that spend more time at the bar though?

In my experience they nurse a half cordial and water for 2 hours then claim they keep the club going.....whatever.

Totally agree. We have a big seniors roll up on a Monday and the majority have a pot of tea or half a bitter. Hardly going to do much for profits. Granted I don't want them necking pint after pint but its a fallacy to say just because they are in the club a lot they are parting with much money and keeping it afloat.

My biggest argument is with the reduced payments at the other end. I've no qualms about junior rates and quite happy to have a single increment from junior to intermediate (say 22 year old) to take into account college/uni getting into a job, buying or renting a place etc. However once you've hit 23 you should be able to stand on your own feet and I can't see why clubs keep giving them discounts. I think you can get a discount until 28 at my place. Ludicrous

 

[Lanark_Golfer]

I think you should receive some sort of discount when you reach retirement age, if you have been a loyal member (maybe 25 yrs or so). It has to balance out with the proportion of members though, people are living longer and new members aren't as plentiful as years gone by, the days of free golf for life members can't be sustained long term.

 

[Dodger]

Totally agree. We have a big seniors roll up on a Monday and the majority have a pot of tea or half a bitter. Hardly going to do much for profits. Granted I don't want them necking pint after pint but its a fallacy to say just because they are in the club a lot they are parting with much money and keeping it afloat.

My biggest argument is with the reduced payments at the other end. I've no qualms about junior rates and quite happy to have a single increment from junior to intermediate (say 22 year old) to take into account college/uni getting into a job, buying or renting a place etc. However once you've hit 23 you should be able to stand on your own feet and I can't see why clubs keep giving them discounts. I think you can get a discount until 28 at my place. Ludicrous

I'll give you the facts....26 seniors,£5.95 taken over the bar and £8 in the coffee machine.

Tighter than two coats of paint.

Oh and 1 bag of crisps bought to share among 4.

 

[chris661]

People are living longer so I don't think they should get reductions nor should they get a 'loyalty' for being a member of a club and be receiving free golf when theysay reach 80.

I disagree, if someone has been a good member for 50 years then the should get something back, for the op though and as someone else has said one fee for everybody.

 

[GB72]

At my place you get discounts until you are 35. The club had an aging membership and a strong junior section but not a lot in between.

As for seniors spending more in the club, the ones I have played with come with a flask of tea and sandwiches in the bag so spend no money at all. They are not all like that but not that many are seen putting money over the bar.

 

[moogie]

I think you should receive some sort of discount when you reach retirement age, if you have been a loyal member (maybe 25 yrs or so).

My previous club had this type of fee structure
They now have more seniors, full and 5 day, than Full Members
RESULT -- they are losing money rapidly, the last 4 years
Only solution.........ONE FEE FOR ALL

 

[rosecott]

Don't you think it's the older generation that spend more time at the bar though?

I resemble that remark

 

[moogie]

Ive amended your response accordingly, rosecott

I resemble that remark.........HIC :cheers:

 

[Dodger]

We give discounts up to 30.

2 years ago we had 3 members between the age of 21 and 30.After researching what had been going on I found that the members were fine til they hit 22 when the fee went to full price and were drifting away....not going elsewhere but simply not playing due to costs.

We live in an area that suffers from low wages.

I introduced tiered pricing from 21 to 30 and what happened??

We now have 42 within this group and it is growing and the future of the club looks a damn site rosier than it did.

It is done for a reason and it works.

 

[Dodger]

I disagree, if someone has been a good member for 50 years then the should get something back, for the op though and as someone else has said one fee for everybody.

Why? How do you quantify 'good'?

Is the man who has been a member for 50 years yet has never set inside the clubhouse or entered a comp any better than he who has been a member for 30,has sponsored the club team,a tee,spent plenty over the bar etc etc??

Bollox Chris.I really do not get this 'award them discounts because they have been here a long time' crap.

 

[Brookesy]

Our golf club has a "full" membership which is 930, the senior membership is 888, you must be 65+ and have been a full member for more than 5 years though.
We also have a 18-30 membership where the membership cost slowly increases up to a full membership this has made many young members including myself join the club and has been a huge factor in the club making money in the last 2-3 years.