Membership in decline...

[Coatsy79]

Memberships need to be cheaper or create a new level of membership that is cheaper

Around £4/500 a year and I'd join somewhere in a heartbeat but at £7/800+ where I live it's just too much, especially as I'm a 33 year old with a full time job and a 2 year old son I'm lucky if I can get 9 holes a week in most of the time so at £800 a year I can't justify it

I guess I'm quite lucky that I have a father in law who's happy to take me along to his club but its still £13 for 9 holes every time

 

[In_The_Rough]

I seen lots of kids really get into the game. They in time start to get better and only when they do show that commitment, do the parents start to think about membership. And this is where I think they start to lose heart. I've seen it happen at my old clubs and at courses where I've been a guest.
The older esteemed members start the bullying (or however you see it) tactics. That ''children should be seen and not heard'' mentality'' is very ripe and alive.
Some I've seen have been reduced to tears.......:sbox:

True- Normally the senior members as well that think the course belongs to them and no one else. One of their crew actually went up to a junior group and gave them a right mouthful because he claimed they were holding him up, these juniors were only 8-10 years old and were playing in a club junior comp. The member is also one of those that never waves anyone through etc. Needless to say he got a letter sent and asked to attend a club meeting which resulted in him being banned from the course for a month, shocking behaviour. They also moan that the juniors are playing all day every day in the 6 week holiday in the summer forgetting the fact that they hardly use the course during school time.

 

[bluewolf]

True- Normally the senior members as well that think the course belongs to them and no one else. One of their crew actually went up to a junior group and gave them a right mouthful because he claimed they were holding him up, these juniors were only 8-10 years old and were playing in a club junior comp. The member is also one of those that never waves anyone through etc. Needless to say he got a letter sent and asked to attend a club meeting which resulted in him being banned from the course for a month, shocking behaviour. They also moan that the juniors are playing all day every day in the 6 week holiday in the summer forgetting the fact that they hardly use the course during school time.

Seen similar behaviour at my course. It's not common, but it happens. Saw one old fella walk at least 200 yards to rollock a 3 ball of 12-14 year olds because one lads shirt had come untucked at the back. He then walked the 200 yards back to his mobility golf buggy that he has special permission to use all year round, whatever the weather...

 

[Qwerty]

It's hard enough getting kids to play Football nowadays never mind golf. Our national football teams are going to be terrible in 10 years time due to kids not growing up playing the game,we'll be getting battered by Andorra and Lichtenstein.
Fortunately though they'll all be wizards on an iPhone 14.

 

[Simbo]

While the snobby attitude still exists, I think it's not as bad as it used to be. Memberships are in decline because of the economy in the country in general, it's not exclusive to golf!!! Football season tickets are down, I used to run a car club which in the last few years has lost 60% of its memberships since I was there.
Somebody with a bit clout needs to cut a deal with mr sunshine!!! 600 quid a year and we are lucky tk get 3 months decent golfing weather, to trek round a swamp in the pouring rain for 4 hours isn't that appealing. I think it's mostly older gents that play because they have done lifes expectations-trying to run businesses/ buying their first home/getting married/ having kids, all of which generally occurs from early 20's to mid 30's range. Their kids are now grown up and things therefor have more time on their hands plus a bit more surplus cash.

 

[MegaSteve]

Would seem this thread is working towards suggesting compulsory euthanasia for all golfers at 50 being the way forward ...

 

[guest100718]

Joining fees, high membership fees, slow play, old fogies who think they own the course, long socks...

 

[MadAdey]

I just think a lot of the problem is the cost. A couple of lads at work have just started playing. Fortunatley Valentino has offloaded a couple of sets of irons to them for a good price to help them get going. But lets say you go out and get a second hand set of reasonable irons, a driver, a 3w a putter and a bag. So that is already about £500 speant. Chuck in some half decent shoes, a couple of set of clothes, some balls, gloves, tees etc and you are now up to about £700. Cheap membership round here so you can play at a reasonable local pay and play course for £600 a year. So first year is sorted and you are well in excess of £1000 spent. With so many young people struggling on minimum wages I am not suprised they find golf to be a sport that they can't afford.

 

[Qwerty]

Id hazard a guess that if you start to reduce membership fees at private clubs your going to see the standard/condition of the course suffer.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Seen similar behaviour at my course. It's not common, but it happens. Saw one old fella walk at least 200 yards to rollock a 3 ball of 12-14 year olds because one lads shirt had come untucked at the back. He then walked the 200 yards back to his mobility golf buggy that he has special permission to use all year round, whatever the weather...

Bet the juniors had proper golf wear on as well by golf brands. He will be the type that has an old creased up jumper with a rip or two on it with his tatty trousers the you would not use as a floor cloth. Wish I had been there with the juniors I would told him where to go in no uncertain terms

 

[Coatsy79]

Id hazard a guess that if you start to reduce membership fees at private clubs your going to see the standard/condition of the course suffer.

Would they though, if the subs were £450 instead of £750, I'd join and so would the guy I play with, at £750 neither of us can join, so it's £900 and 2 new members or nothing?

More people might join and play at cheaper rates

 

[bluewolf]

Would they though, if the subs were £450 instead of £750, I'd join and so would the guy I play with, at £750 neither of us can join, so it's £900 and 2 new members or nothing?

More people might join and play at cheaper rates

But then you get twice the footfall at only 20% increase in fees. Ergo (word of the day), condition of course would suffer. It might be a bit simplistic, but there are plenty on here who have lots more knowledge of this area than me...

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

Id hazard a guess that if you start to reduce membership fees at private clubs your going to see the standard/condition of the course suffer.

See point 3 post number 2.

 

[User20205]

I heard recently that there was only one or two sports not in decline (Lingerie Football being one, google it if you don't believe it exists)

this is 100% true, most traditional sports are losing active members, there is too much competition. The rugby club I used to play at now fields 3 teams, 10 years ago it was 5. The RFU lost a huge chunk of lottery funding recently becuase of decling numbers.

I don't really want more members at my club, i'd rather pay more and still be able to turn up when I want and get around in 3hrs. I'm not alone in this view.

 

[bluewolf]

See point 3 post number 2.

Bit harsh mate... Most of us would like to think that the course we play is going to be in as good a condition as possible. I'd prefer to pay a bit more and have less members. Some people would prefer to pay less and not be as concerned about numbers/condition etc. There is room for both in the market, but the falling numbers of golfers will weed out the clubs who don't do enough to cater for their respected market...

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

Here they come strangelybrown, dufferman, here they come.

 

[USER1999]

The last thing my club need is more playing members. We need to advertise in new Zealand for country membership.

 

[bluewolf]

3. It needs to rid itself of the perception / stereotype that it's played by old, boring, narrow-minded, elitest, beligerent, arrogant, poorly dressed, arrogant, egotistical, sneering twonks.

Here they come strangelybrown, dufferman, here they come.

Which one of the above descriptions are you levelling at me? I only ask because I'm not sure you understand the terms..

 

[User20205]

Here they come strangelybrown, dufferman, here they come.

not really, Bluewolf's point is valid, join a club that caters for your needs. Most people who moan about attitudes at golf clubs aren't members, they just buy into the cliche.

most turn up, pay their green fee and for some reason feel uncomfortable, I know I have been there. They look for reinforcement of their complex

It's like saying all people who go to church are religious nuts.....it's simply not true.

It's impossible to comment on the rights & wrongs of membership, and the attitudes that exist therein without being a member.

 

[Alex1975]

Our club has too many members! (A Lot!) and I put this down to the fact that it is not full of people looking for trouble. The main body of the club are down to earth, the subs are reasonable, they try hard every year to make the course and practice facilities better and they are welcoming.

There are still too many sexist, racist, old school cry babies in golf, everyone wants to moan about something and what is the most unattractive thing on the planet.... people who moan... even if its your best mate in the world, if you find him/her moaning all the time you will spend less time with them!