State of GB golf in 2016

[stefanovic]

So far this year I've played 76 different courses in England, Wales and Scotland.
Sad to see so few youngsters.
Ageing memberships also threaten future.
Twilight offers good for casual players like me.
No queues. In some places I've had the course to myself.
Rumours of courses to be sold for housing.
Trial memberships a good idea, but they could go further and welcome people to have trial rounds.
Some courses already diversifying, others will close if they don't.
Price of drivers crazy. £250-400 for a quality one.
Some stories I've heard:
The rural course that charges £49 a round to keep away the riff-raff.
Courses still discriminate. The one that does not allow women to walk in front of the clubhouse window. Another has separate women's clubhouse.
My biggest gripe: the dog walkers who regard the fairways as their domain. Turning up at one course I was encouraged to aim for them.

 

[brendy]

Golf membership can be an elitest activity, the levels vary from club to club and area to area. Those that aren't willing to bend get all they deserve in my opinion.
Golf club pricing ie drivers, irons etc, its up to us if we can afford them, prices will come down if sales are poor, then theres last years stock and second hand kit, there is always options. Golf does need more younger blood but with education, social pressures to conform to more popular past times etc, its always going to be an uphill struggle.