Will Golf Clubs go to the wall?

[Dodger]

After reading through the thread asking how far forumers travel for their golf I couldn't help but notice that many guys have umpteen clubs within a small mileage radius and some as always are more desireable than others so it got me thinking that in the current climate surely some guys are going to be dropping membership and some people aint going to be paying green fees/days away as often so will this lead to some clubs going bust if the current financial climate continues?
From my point of view up here clubs will suffer but I would be suprised if clubs went to the wall in this remote part of the world where I think that members are fairly loyal but it will be interesting to see if this climate continues.

Any views guys?

 

[MikeH]

dodger

a very interesting post...

I spoke at an EGU road show conference at The Oxfordshire before Xmas and one of the other speakers there was EGU chief exec, John Petrie. He said they were aware of 6 English clubs that had closed but that the situation was changing on a weekly basis.

I expect the annual demand for subs in Jan/April will force the issue with a number of those operating on the edge. In my opinion the weak, badly run, clubs will simply go under and there will be tough times lie ahead for those who charge top dollar for their neck of the woods but don't deliver the goods for their members and visitors

 

[TonyN]

I doubt it will be affected much. Our club has dropped the price of subs by 50 quid a year and most clubs have now slashed joining fee's, but all in all I think the UK loves the game so much that the industry as a whole will be affected very little.

The post we had a few weeks back about the recession affecting our game proved that I think. Genreal thoughts where most people where actually spending more.

 

[theeaglehunter]

There is no doubt some clubs will suffer. In terms of general life priorities even for us fanatics golf rarely comes first, and if finances dictate I am sure many (all be it regrettably) will end up canceling their membership, causing problems for clubs. Golf in general has no problem though, most of the more established courses (even though they will inevitably cost more) will be safe for the duration as loyal memberships are likely to be maintained. I fear for the munis and lower membership numbered clubs.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree with Mikes comments. I have said many times on here that I think my club is expensive but it is still a cheaper option than Mill Ride, Wentworth etc which a re all within a ten minuted drive of the course. I could opt for a pay and play (the Downshire in particular is a great track) but Ascot gives me the freedom to roll up and go out whenever I want without booking a time and there isn't 5 hour rounds to contend with in the summer.

I think Ascot will struggle with numbers again this year. A lot of members have left for a number of reasons and like many others we are struggling to replace them. That puts the club in a trick situation. Do they increase fees to try and capture some of the lost revenue and risk even more deserters or keep any increase reasonable (in line with inflation) and look to recoup through green fees and societies. It is a difficult balancing act.

I think it is sad when any golf course closes but at the end of the day they are a business and need to be rung as such. I think a lot of the bigger clubs face much bigger problems than the local smaller ones as their outgoings are significant and are reliant on the visiting £ to balance the books. I think a lot of golfers will keep visits to a premiuim this year and that courses really need to be invetive in how they capture their slice of the market.

 

[HTL]

I have noticed a few clubs doing fantastic offers such as BOGOF on membership and no joining fees. But apart from that the club houses are usually busy, us lot are buying shed loads of new gear and the courses are busy.

Could work the other way, people not wanting to go out shopping, all day boozing etc so go and play a cheap round of golf.

 

[rob2]

This is a question that is troubling me also.

I am hoping to join my first club in the near future but have this nagging concern about the club going to the wall a week after I have paid my years subs!

How do you assess the financial viability of any club and what are your options should your club go under?

Any solicitors around?

Rob2

 

[SammmeBee]

How do you assess the financial viability of any club and what are your options should your club go under?

Hope that someone sensible buys it or find another one.....

 

[Basher]

My club has suspended the joining fee to encourage new golfers to join.
Good in theory, but there are several members who are very angry about it. Not too pleased myself as I only joined myself around 18 months ago (I paid the joining fee!)

My club does have a member limit (makes sense), this allows ALL members the chance to play.

The committee complain about lack of funds but I wouldn't say the club is facing extinction......yet! Suppose the extra revenue from the new non joining fee paying members will put needed funds in the coffers.

 

[flandango]

I play at a beautiful muni course home of david howell.

- We have enough bloody traffic wardens,
- Saved money on our sh#tty christmas decorations as not to offend anyone,
And as they fine us for having to much rubbish I should imagine our council is a little flush at the moment.

So no worries from me at moment. Although I may join the Wiltshire or Wrag barn next year.

Less peasants! lol.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you are worried about joining a club and its financial stability ask to see their figures. Our club presents the financial figures for the year at the AGM and the details are there for any new members to see on request.

 

[Sam]

I doubt it will be affected much. Our club has dropped the price of subs by 50 quid a year and most clubs have now slashed joining fee's, but all in all I think the UK loves the game so much that the industry as a whole will be affected very little.

The post we had a few weeks back about the recession affecting our game proved that I think. Genreal thoughts where most people where actually spending more.

Tony
Agree with that but in the longer term golf and golf clubs need new starters to replace the oldies (like me)and I suspect they are going to be in shorter supply. Newcomers to the game were already in decline world-wide and I think the Crunch will have an impact - it's not a cheap sport to start-up in is it?

 

[Imurg]

I fear for my club. Its part Council-sponsered but we've only got 150 members and a lot of them are Seniors who generally take the 5-day membership. The club relies on a lot of pay and players but the numbers are dwindling.

If it did go bust it would really make a difference. Although there are 6 other courses within a 15 minute drive, 2 are expensive, and one is a short 9-holer that's quite dull. The other 2 are ok but more expensive and harder to just turn up and play.

 

[CarpeDiem]

Join Whipsnade

 

[Imurg]

What are the fees?

And don't you have a school to go to?

 

[CarpeDiem]

Not sure of the fee's at the moment but will find out for you. Do you want membership fee's or greenfees?

And don't you have a school to go to?

I am at school, the joy of free periods

 

[Imurg]

Both please Olli.

never got frees when I was at school!!

 

[Parmo]

I am getting a season ticket for my home municipal its a £140 straight away then 4x£50 a month so £340 + £135 club membership (with locker) & £35 bar levy back.

£440 for a years golf and entry in comps and a handicap is fine with me & its a pretty good social scene as well and the course is in good nick, yes you get Joe public but overall its enjoyable.

That said 15 years ago they had over 500 members, now they have 170 and about 140 playing members with average 40 entering comps each weekend, so over time and with the increase in disposable income numbers have dwindled, but I believe the credit crunch might see people drop high subs at private clubs and return to municipal golf, though this is to be seen first but it would be nice on our side to see an increase.

 

[CarpeDiem]

I think that the Green Fees are around the £20 mark, but I would wait till the weather improves, because the current stuff doesn't do the course any justice what so ever.

 

[USER1999]

I found Whipsnade to be in great condition, but the layout was a bit bland, and I didn't much like the club house.