Membership cost increase

[Fromtherough]

Our fees went up 6% which was just about acceptable. We offer a range of payment options, none of which require a credit agreement, so they don’t attract any interest charges. Most popular option is paying over 9 months April to December inclusive.

 

[Oddsocks]

That’s exactly my fear for the future of the game.

However we’re not exactly getting richer as a country, and mid term I just don’t see the numbers being there to sustain the high prices we’ve seen.

When the downturn comes, it’s going to be brutal and golf will be among the worst affected industries, as it always is sadly.

My thoughts are that some if courses are trying to be something that they are not and are appealing to a very limited audience.

It’s a very risky play.

 

[The19thHole]

I simply just can’t afford to play any more. I live in Surrey/Hampshire boarders, it’s just too expensive. Even pay and play is costly.

 

[Viewer]

I simply just can’t afford to play any more. I live in Surrey/Hampshire boarders, it’s just too expensive. Even pay and play is costly.

Blacknest?

 

[Mel Smooth]

I simply just can’t afford to play any more. I live in Surrey/Hampshire boarders, it’s just too expensive. Even pay and play is costly.

Is Playmore Golf a viable option for you? £36 a month will get you on the golf course.

 

[Oddsocks]

I simply just can’t afford to play any more. I live in Surrey/Hampshire boarders, it’s just too expensive. Even pay and play is costly.

Sums up my point. It’s ok clubs throwing all these improvement plans in but these come at a cost which inevitably filters through to subs/gf’s.

Have you considered something like playmoregolf? A points based system that depending on the times you csn play could access up to 100 rounds a year. I went through a package near me, the course was £1700 a year subs but this scheme would give me 18 peak time weekend morning games or up to 100 afternoon weekday off peak games - the cost was £700 which meant the off peak games were £14.00

 

[NearHull]

£100 to £1200. Club lost £35k due to the weather. Investing in a swing studio.

We are thinking of installing a swing studio. Has anyone got access to a business case, cost/ benefit analysis that they would be happy to share?

 

[BiMGuy]

The golf club doesn't need all the cash up front, costs are incurred over the course of the year, so it's unnecessary to demand members pay everything up front.

But if you were the club you would want all the fees in up front. It makes better business sense.

 

[MACM85]

Blacknest?

No longer a members club. Terminated all membership and have plans to open as a 12 hole course

 

[Red devil]

I simply just can’t afford to play any more. I live in Surrey/Hampshire boarders, it’s just too expensive. Even pay and play is costly.

That's a real shame, and quite telling

 

[Orikoru]

I simply just can’t afford to play any more. I live in Surrey/Hampshire boarders, it’s just too expensive. Even pay and play is costly.

That's sad, and you won't be alone. A couple more years at the current rate of cost increase and I might be in the same boat.

 

[sunshine]

But if you were the club you would want all the fees in up front. It makes better business sense.

Yes indeed, but want and need are not the same.

 

[sunshine]

What’s the admin fee for? Assume he’s taken out an interest free purchase credit card rather than balance transfer? That’s what I do anyway and have never paid an admin fee.

Sorry I had assumed he couldn't pay subs on credit card and so was doing a balance transfer.

 

[Orikoru]

Sorry I had assumed he couldn't pay subs on credit card and so was doing a balance transfer.

Nah, I could have paid it on my normal card but then I'll just be paying more interest on it so no point.

 

[BiMGuy]

Yes indeed, but want and need are not the same.

Indeed they are. But a club may need to get all the subs in upfront to prevent losing lots of money when people stop paying for whatever reason.

 

[rulie]

Indeed they are. But a club may need to get all the subs in upfront to prevent losing lots of money when people stop paying for whatever reason.

Sometimes getting it upfront prevents cash flow issues, where shortages may need to be covered using a line of credit or equivalent.

 

[Deleted member 35504]

Clubs get the whole membership fee up front when we pay by Fairway Credit.
It's the credit company's that then collects over the 12 months.

 

[federalexpress]

I could probably find the answer to this if I trawled all 70 plus pages of this thread, but I'd be interested to hear how other clubs handle price increases. Can you say which of the three options below most accurately fit what happens at your club. The board/committee can...

1) Set whatever price increase they wish without any member input or vote
2) Increase the price by a set amount and only increases over this level require a vote
3) Can only increase prices at all with a membership vote

In the case of 2) it would be useful to know what is used as the set amount; CPI, RPI, a fixed % etc and also what % of members have to vote in favour for it to be carried

In my clubs case, it's 2), membership fees can increase by CPI with any additional rise needing a vote with a 66% majority. Our board are currently trying to change from CPI to something else because they feel it underestimates the clubs real inflation, certainly in recent years.

It would be useful if you could mention whether you are a members club or privately owned, though I imagine very few of the latter would give their members any input on prices.

 

[upsidedown]

Members club and the Board sets the next year fees as in 1.

 

[federalexpress]

Members club and the Board sets the next year fees as in 1.

Thanks. Do you never get dissent if set too high (in some people's opinion) or are they generally reasonable for most? What were last year and this year's increase?