Why Is Golf On The Decline?

[Blue in Munich]

Yes I know this subject has been discussed loads of times, but, well what else have we got to do? ....Er well I'm off to work in a bit, so I've got something, but in the meantime I saw something on FB and went for a look at the site and for me pointed to EVERYTHING about why golf is on the decline.

Golf In Decline

1. Nothing on the site to indicate the cost of joining. So for a start that will put most golfers off as "If you have to ask the cost, you can't afford"
2. You need a seconder for your application. Huh, snooty lot. The remainder of golfers still looking would say.
3. Cost of a round. Oh yes they've put this in. 80 notes!!!! Thinking of taking up golf? 80 quid for a round of golf? Stuff that, possible new golfers would be thinking.
4. "Visitors are respectfully reminded of the expected traditional high standards of dress on the Panmure Course, Practice Grounds and in the Clubhouse rooms.
Please avoid embarrassing situations by following the Code, as no member of staff is permitted to allow any exception to this Code. Panmure staff members have the authority to decide on acceptable attire, following the descriptions below." From the clubs site itself !!!! Utterly ridiculous!!!!! The final nail in the coffin to those who have even got this far in to looking to play here. Sure, some golfers are ok with this stuff, and will go on to be nasty committee members in the future, if they already aren't, but does this really indicate a welcoming place? Does it nutz.
5. Fancy a pint afterwards? Hogan Lounge:- Panmure GC is famed for its tradition and values, and Council encourages the wearing of Jacket and Tie. AND Dalhousie Room :-Jacket and Tie must be worn by Gentlemen at all times, and commensurate non-golfing attire to be worn by Ladies." So that's that, not brought you jacket and tie? No beer or food either.

Now I realise that not everywhere is like this, thank God, but this for me definately is why golf will continue to decline. Stuffy, puffed up, well I can't put anymore, you know why. Reading Panmures golf site puts me off actually playing, so for anyone thinking of starting up the game.....they'd be put off for life and would take great pleasure of telling all their mates about what they had read and their mates would tell their mates and so on. Word of mouth is a powerful tool and this is why golf is in decline. No if's no but's. No arguements whatsoever.

GM can put out online articles and printed words about this sort of topic, but this is the reason for the decline of golf. The sooner places like this are removed form the golfing world the better.

Of your points, 2 is wrong, 3 is actually wrong as the May green fee is £125 and isn't applicable to members, 4 is a pretty standard requirement at a private members club and 5 is wrong. So, 1 point out of 5 right, and if you were seriously looking at joining, you'd have an idea of the cost so that's hardly an issue.

So as a justification of the decline in golf, this isn't really it, is it?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

http://www.brailsfordgolfclub.co.uk/#

Conversely this place near me seems quite encouraging.

Horses for courses - cheap, basic and welcoming. Ideal for a beginner.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

http://www.brailsfordgolfclub.co.uk/#

Conversely this place near me seems quite encouraging.

Horses for courses - cheap, basic and welcoming. Ideal for a beginner.

£20 for 18 holes, perfect for beginners wanting to try the game ?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Older people in general like to maintain standards (my opinion).

Good comments from Paul Lawrie and Catriona Mathews this week re..getting youngsters into golf. I will try to find the link.

Three stood out.
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/golf...f-clubs-do-better-encouraging-juniors-2610257
I don't want to change my clothes to play golf.
Lots of old guys shouting at you instead of encouraging you.
Some older members seem determined to live in the past.

 

[Grizzly]

You know what, I don't think there is anything that objectionable there. Look, I'm probably most golf clubs idea of a nightmare to begin with - my standard dress code is camo shorts and a metal t-shirt, I couldn't look smart if I tried and honestly, my professional life has left me with a tendency toward colourful expression that I have to guard against in polite company. And I wouldn't have an issue with anything they've said when it is taken in the round.

 

[Mandofred]

No I really mean I don't want to be in a clubhouse full of ripped jeans, T shirts & baseball caps on back to front, know what I mean, innit.

Definitely agree with this. But on the flip side, you can't wear grey socks with your shorts but you can wear this.....

In fact....it's even consider cool.

 

[chrisd]

Older people in general like to maintain standards (my opinion).

Older people like to maintain standards, but are happy to move with the times when reasonable standards are maintained (my opinion)

 

[Grizzly]

Thinking about it, the biggest bar to golf clubs getting more members is exhorbitant joining fees - being asked to pay hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pounds for the priviledge on top of annual subs is a real buzz kill!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Older people like to maintain standards, but are happy to move with the times when reasonable standards are maintained (my opinion)

Or to put it another, they are happy for things to change if that change represents an improvement ?

 

[chrisd]

Thinking about it, the biggest bar to golf clubs getting more members is exhorbitant joining fees - being asked to pay hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pounds for the priviledge on top of annual subs is a real buzz kill!

I suspect that 80% of golf clubs no longer ask for a joining fee and a great number give incentives to new joiners, especially in certain age groups- my number is a guess thought

 

[patricks148]

Thinking about it, the biggest bar to golf clubs getting more members is exhorbitant joining fees - being asked to pay hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pounds for the priviledge on top of annual subs is a real buzz kill!

plenty of clubs with no joining fee, so i don't thank thats it

 

[KenL]

been there twice on our Autm Jolly, both times we got a voucher to go back and play for half price and we didn't pay anywhere near £80 two years ago

We have a reciprocal deal with them (and plenty other fab courses) and we paid £20.
However, seeing what some clubs charge for a round, at £80, Panmure is good value.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Thinking about it, the biggest bar to golf clubs getting more members is exhorbitant joining fees - being asked to pay hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pounds for the priviledge on top of annual subs is a real buzz kill!

I think joining fees could be a lifesaver right now. Lots of people are thinking about not renewing their membership atm. If I were to leave my club I would have to pay 50% of the joining fee to come back so I've paid my subs for the coming year, no hesitation.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Thinking about it, the biggest bar to golf clubs getting more members is exhorbitant joining fees - being asked to pay hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pounds for the priviledge on top of annual subs is a real buzz kill!

I would also include time constraints with that.
Golf has declined since it took more than four hours to play a 'normal' round and over five hours for more 'organised' events.

 

[chrisd]

Or to put it another, they are happy for things to change if that change represents an improvement ?

Yes for sure, but most of us accept we have to move with the times. I certainly was happy that our dress code was changed to allow jeans in the clubhouse. We also had a shirts had to be tucked in for social functions. I argued that men of (probably) younger than 40 had never tucked a shirt in during an evening out drinking and that's why they didn't come to functions, it took a while but the rule was finally changed

 

[Grizzly]

plenty of clubs with no joining fee, so i don't thank thats it

Maybe its just where I am - I looked at the nearby clubs, and only one of the nearest six has no joining fee (and its awful).

 

[patricks148]

We have a reciprocal deal with them (and plenty other fab courses) and we paid £20.
However, seeing what some clubs charge for a round, at £80, Panmure is good value.

first time i played we were the last group with one of our number the slowest player around who was leading the comp for the week, so had lost the group infront, none of us had played it before and got lost off the tee and played to the wrong green must have been 6 or 7th.

only poor hole we all thought was the par 3 15th, ever other stunning

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Yes for sure, but most of us accept we have to move with the times. I certainly was happy that our dress code was changed to allow jeans in the clubhouse. We also had a shirts had to be tucked in for social functions. I argued that men of (probably) younger than 40 had never tucked a shirt in during an evening out drinking and that's why they didn't come to functions, it took a while but the rule was finally changed

There were a few of the 'Gin & tonic' brigade at my club who weren't happy when we relaxed the clubhouse dress code but I think it is now seen as a good thing.

 

[KenL]

I would also include time constraints with that.
Golf has declined since it took more than four hours to play a 'normal' round and over five hours for more 'organised' events.

It does not take more than 4 hours at my club. In 4 balls we are round in about 3.30 to 3.45. It is only occasionally when there are a large amount of visitors that it takes more than 4 hours.

 

[patricks148]

Maybe its just where I am - I looked at the nearby clubs, and only one of the nearest six has no joining fee (and its awful).

I would imagine that some the better courses still a joining fee for that reason, they can still comnand it.

not many up here still have them, 30 or some clubs within an hour of me and only two still have a joining fee, and those are the two that are top 100 UK