The future of golf clubs? hopefully not....

[golfbluecustard]

Saw a link to an article about club membership on The Golf Business website, not a site I'm familiar with..... and it didn't make for great reading, extract below.


A new survey of UK private members’ golf clubs finds 37 percent have cash flow issues despite the recent boom in demand to play the game, and some may close down in 2021 as a result.
Part of the problem for them is that, according to the GGA Partners research, 43 percent of members of UK golf clubs expect their disposable income to decline over the next 12 months, while 58 percent believe their overall consumer spending will also decline.
The survey finds that eight percent of clubs in the UK and Ireland classify their current cash position as ‘critical’ and a further 29 percent as ‘concerning’.


Hopefully it's wrong but clearly the current and future economy is going to hit most aspects of life, including golf.

GBC

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I think it’s fair to say that we have an oversupply of golf courses in the UK,mostly due to the course building boom of the 80’s

There were some in decline before Covid, what Covid has done is speed this decline up, so the weaker ones will unfortunately go.

But the ones that are left should Hopefully thrive

 

[jim8flog]

Over the past few years we lost 4 clubs in this area.

There will be financial 'problems' for us but hopefully as a members club nothing we could not overcome.

One of the upsides just lately is we have seen an increase in visitor income compared with the same period last year.

 

[sunshine]

I think it’s fair to say that we have an oversupply of golf courses in the UK,mostly due to the course building boom of the 80’s

There were some in decline before Covid, what Covid has done is speed this decline up, so the weaker ones will unfortunately go.

But the ones that are left should Hopefully thrive

Interestingly it's the courses built in the 80's that seem to be the ones closing first.

 

[Bermuda]

Private members clubs are precious but it's 2020 and many have an ageing membership and a radical shake up is required. There is a golf centre near me and its rammed every day, why are the private clubs not taking those people away from there. The course at the golf centre is very average and you can't get into the massive car park because it's always full!!! and there are several amazing courses 5 miles away but people seem to love the golf centre....why????

 

[Orikoru]

Private members clubs are precious but it's 2020 and many have an ageing membership and a radical shake up is required. There is a golf centre near me and its rammed every day, why are the private clubs not taking those people away from there. The course at the golf centre is very average and you can't get into the massive car park because it's always full!!! and there are several amazing courses 5 miles away but people seem to love the golf centre....why????

Because it's cheaper probably? And public so it doesn't have that 'exclusive' vibe?

I thought that since lockdown eased golf was in a massive upturn, lots of people took up golf when it was the only sport open, and I thought quite a few of them bought memberships also as it was the only way to get on certain courses.

 

[howbow88]

Around me (20 mins drive or less) I currently have 8 clubs.

1 is closing after after this Summer for farmland, though many believe it will then be sold on for housing in the next couple of years.

2 are due to close within the next 2-3 years for housing.

1 is due to reduce to a 9 hole course (currently 27) with the 18 hole course replaced by housing. Many believe that the entire site will end up going.

1 is heavily rumoured to be going for housing, with letters going out to members in February about the possibility of this. Since Covid though, I think that they have been doing a roaring trade. I personally don't think it will go now.

So 8 clubs down to 4... Quite a small amount of clubs for a large population roughly 260k+ people, in my opinion.

 

[howbow88]

I thought that since lockdown eased golf was in a massive upturn, lots of people took up golf when it was the only sport open, and I thought quite a few of them bought memberships also as it was the only way to get on certain courses.

Clubs are doing well at the moment, but we're in the midst of the biggest recession since the great depression. Once the furlough scheme finishes, the vast majority of us will have less money and hobbies like golf are right at the bottom of priorities.

What is more interesting is the constant drive to build housing... Will this reduce with the current situation? If so, golf clubs may well not have that easy out option of flogging land to housebuilders.

 

[hovis]

I'm not sure of the numbers but imo the game is played by an aging population. When they're gone where are the new generation? Most kids are xbox crazy and don't venture outside.

 

[Canary Kid]

It’s the same in West Sussex. West Chiltington became a vineyard three or so years back and the Kingfisher at Mannings Heath was reduced to 9 holes to become a vineyard shortly afterwards. Hassocks has reduced to 9 holes due to housing and Rusper is about close as it has been bought for farmland. Haywards Heath and Ifield are under serious threat from housing development and Rookwood and Cottesmore have also been mentioned in connection with possible housing ... particularly the former as it is owned by the Council.

 

[Bermuda]

The thing I would want is a massive driving range with modern facilities and I would welcome all the white vans and black cabs as they and the off spring of these people came rushing through the door, cash is king and that type of set up is a draw for people and families of all persuasions, the members clubs are in may cases lovely but they are stick in the MUDs and some will pay the ultimate price for that

 

[Orikoru]

I'm not sure of the numbers but imo the game is played by an aging population. When they're gone where are the new generation? Most kids are xbox crazy and don't venture outside.

Kids are never a strong target market for golf anyway. We've discussed it before, but most people seem to take up golf in their 30s when they've ceased playing a different sport, whether that's football, rugby or cricket, and they want to replace it with something. For most kids though golf probably seems long and boring. And lads in their 20s usually have too much other stuff going on.

 

[Crow]

I'm not sure of the numbers but imo the game is played by an aging population. When they're gone where are the new generation? Most kids are xbox crazy and don't venture outside.

The next generation of older people will have ripened by then.

 

[golfbluecustard]

Give me an 18 hole and 9 hole course

A modern range / short game area

Decent pro shop

A gym

Swimming pool

Two restaurants and a coffee shop

And ideally 15 mins from my house

and I'll give you my time and money....

I 'm not sure if this exists? Or whether I'm being unrealistic ?

GBC

 

[PJ87]

Give me an 18 hole and 9 hole course

A modern range / short game area

Decent pro shop

A gym

Swimming pool

Two restaurants and a coffee shop

And ideally 15 mins from my house

and I'll give you my time and money....

I 'm not sure if this exists? Or whether I'm being unrealistic ?

GBC

We have most of that

We are building 9 more holes

Swimming pool is talked about opening accross road

Gym is there

Range and short game is there

Only one restaurant tho

 

[PJ87]

I'm not sure of the numbers but imo the game is played by an aging population. When they're gone where are the new generation? Most kids are xbox crazy and don't venture outside.

Nothing wrong with that now. They learn a lot on Xbox now.. socialise with their friends online games.. learn team work on some games together

Not as great as going down the park but times change.

 

[GB72]

Kids are never a strong target market for golf anyway. We've discussed it before, but most people seem to take up golf in their 30s when they've ceased playing a different sport, whether that's football, rugby or cricket, and they want to replace it with something. For most kids though golf probably seems long and boring. And lads in their 20s usually have too much other stuff going on.

Totally agree, 30-40 is that sweet spot for getting people into golf when the injuries are starting to mount up from other sports. Still, even and 30, and now in my 40s I find many golf clubs stuffy and uninviting.

 

[hovis]

Nothing wrong with that now. They learn a lot on Xbox now.. socialise with their friends online games.. learn team work on some games together

Not as great as going down the park but times change.

Are you on smack? Have you spoke to a teenager recently? They have no social skills or social awareness and know nothing about teamwork. I find it scary that you think xbox chat is classed as teamwork and socialising.

I recently took my nephew to an airsoft day. All the young kids remained isolated from one another whilst all the 40 year old children had a right laugh

 

[IanM]

Give me an 18 hole and 9 hole course

A modern range / short game area

Decent pro shop

A gym

Swimming pool

Two restaurants and a coffee shop

And ideally 15 mins from my house

and I'll give you my time and money....

I 'm not sure if this exists? Or whether I'm being unrealistic ?

GBC

We have that at several places round here.... and I drive past them to the old members' club that doesnt have 5 or 6 hour rounds as the norm.

Folk have different requirements, clubs that meet the needs of their market thrive, those that don't fail. Twas ever thus!

 

[golfbluecustard]

We have most of that

We are building 9 more holes

Swimming pool is talked about opening accross road

Gym is there

Range and short game is there

Only one restaurant tho

I'll get packing !

used to play The Essex which had from memory everything on the list, it was an hour away though....