Will Golf Clubs go to the wall?

[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.

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?

Good point well made Sam, when you look at it like that. Me being ignorant didnt look further than the next few years.

I was also thinking last night about ways the younger generation could be attracted to golf. One idea I did have was for it to be televised alot more. Doesn't even have to be majors, just run of the mill events. I remember when I was a kid, I would be into every sport and mostly play whatever was on the tele.

Hands up who used to play football at half time on FA cup day and then out for a game again straight after the final whistle? The whole of our street did.

Who used to beg there mum and dad for a tennis racket and go the local park when Wimbledon was on? Again all of our street.

Is it up to the EGU and the likes to pump money into grass roots and get the game going for younger members?

Would be great if golf was a choice of sport at school. I wonder how many hidden champions have never even played the game?

 

[CarpeDiem]

That is the only downside, the club house. Bearing in mind that this is coming from a member; the club house is to cold and in need of a major moderisation. However the vintage look that the clubhouse has is a nice setting but it's no good if people don't go in there after the round because the local pub is a warmer place to be. Another downside is the kitchen doesn't open till 11. How frustrating that the vast majority of people tee off in the 8-10 slot and can't have a bacon roll etc, you can get coffee however. But these are only two bad points and there are many good ones, and I don't wish to tarnish a very good club.

 

[Parmo]

The only way to get more kids in golf is via education and introduce golf as part of PE as a choice for teachers with the kit available for them to use.

I for one would donate old kit to a worthwhile project like this, I know most of the second hand kit AG and the likes get are not resellable and either donating to schools or bulk buying would be ideal.

I think overall most golfers would send kit if postage was paid for via local government or a place where kit could be dropped off.

 

[CarpeDiem]

Getting kids into golf is one of the key aims of the head pro at my club, he even goes to the trouble of organising lessons at the schools all over the local area. by him doing this the Junior Section has almost trebled. If every club was lucky enough to have this then golf in England would have a very rosy future.

 

[TonyN]

Yes exactly, I would be very willing to pop along and drop in some stuff I dont use. I would love to have played Golf in P.E and I know alot of my friends would have too. I seriously beleive this would be a great way of promoting the sport and would be a very good boost for the game in general, considering the current financial climate.

 

[Parmo]

Getting kids into golf is one of the key aims of the head pro at my club, he even goes to the trouble of organising lessons at the schools all over the local area. by him doing this the Junior Section has almost trebled. If every club was lucky enough to have this then golf in England would have a very rosy future.

As you said JC & Tony we need something to get commitees to spare up their Pro's for a few hours a week, this though might be hard to do as its time off the course giving paying customers lessons, though we all know in the long run that each club will benefit from more youngsters.

 

[CarpeDiem]

in the long run that each club will benefit from more youngsters.

For sure as bar 10 or 12 all the juniors at my club are all 9 and below, so hopefully in the long run.

 

[viscount17]

That some clubs will go to the wall is a certainty; unfortunately there is no guarantee that the courses that will be lost in the process will be the poorest ones to play. I have a feeling that we will see some big (ie expensive) and old club names go.

From what I've seen, mine will be holding the fees as they are but where I was considering going to 7-day I now won't. If it goes up I have an alternative (cheaper) not far away - though I've not played there as yet.

Munis could see an increase in attendance as a result but, and this is a very big but, it is equally likely that councils will cut back on maintenance budgets leaving them in poorer condition.

There are two very good munis in my area but equally there are a number of clubs, some of which don't cost the earth, so a lot of competition. What are the odds on both surviving?

Played Whipsnade in the Summer (remember it?) as a Society. Can't say the course was memorable - except the 18th but then I played that one well. The Club house is quirky but interesting due to its age but I can see the difficulty in adapting it as a true club. The food is good though - we had a very reasonable 3-course dinner.

 

[Robobum]

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

Flan - Never heard Broome Manor called beautiful before!! Are you an estate agent - they normally make mutton sound like lamb

 

[GB72]

My concern would be for the private clubs who do not accept pay and play money. I can see the munis and pay and play courses doing good business by taking in those who cannot justify a membership but want to play once or twice a month. Certainly if I could not afford my membership, I would certainly not be looking to pay the £40.00 that a lot of courses near me charge so would look to the 2 decent local munis at under £20.00 a round or the local pay and play course at Rutland Water that charges a similar fee.

 

[viscount17]

as a side issue (naughty I know) what's Rutland Water like?
It's 'just' up the road from me and could make a new venue for this year.

 

[delboy777]

Private clubs have seen poor financial conditions time and again over the last 80 years or so, and most stay in business. In general clubs are well run and have the ability to manage in advance. Clubs can plan for a reduction in income by cutting back on planned capital expenditure and by cutting staff levels on course and in the club house.Most clubs can make savings if they have to, but up until now they have been cash rich. It may turn out to be a good thing by making clubs more business efficient.
Clubs can also offer their members better deals on memberships without any cost. Such as giving all members a few free guest green fees each year which cost the club nothing but just may attract some new members. Most clubs have a wide range of skills within their memberships and clubs should tap into these to assist during testing economic times.Our club has used up to 40 fit members to assist in clearing out thick wooded areas and to clear ditches. I think most members are willing to assist their club if called upon.

 

[Parmo]

Private clubs have seen poor financial conditions time and again over the last 80 years or so, and most stay in business.

I think the issue is that 80 years ago we didnt have as many clubs/courses and the newish members of the past 15 years who used to be municipal or pay and play golfers suddenly had extra cash to spend on private memberships, now or soon they wont have that cash and will leave is the issue I beleive. They will either return to muni golf or cut back to pay and playing at cost effective courses.

Our club has used up to 40 fit members to assist in clearing out thick wooded areas and to clear ditches

No offense but isnt this why members pay their subs for the course to manage its own cash, not rely on members to do the dirty work?

 

[Dodger]

Last year we had a notice up asking for members to help divotig as club claimed to have insufficient staff to do this......5 full timers and they couldn't manage to do it!Not on in my view,that's what we pay fees for,part of it goes towards greenstaffs wages why should we need to do it? That said if they where desperate I would have helped but only in desperate times,as it happens one of the Board paid out of his own pocket for 2 Poles to do 2 days divoting.When I was 12-13 we did it in the summer,maybe 5 or 6 of us juniors for 3 hours and at the end of it we got a plate of pie and chips and we were more than happy!Now we have a number of younguns that spend 12 hours a day there in the summer so why they didn't do it again and got the little bastards to help out beats me!
It will be interesting to see what happens again this year when it comes to any pleas for extra staff as I think things will be tight money wise although our membership is ever so slightly up on last and our pre booking green fees are up 30% on last year but it's only up if they actually turn up on the day....

 

[USER1999]

Our juniors get involved in divotting, as part of the payback for free group lessons, competition entry, etc.

Sounds fair.

 

[Imurg]

I'd do a few days strimming or something to get cheaper fees.

 

[rgs]

Over here Luttrellestown Castle is closing at the end of 2009, i am sure a few more will suffer the same fate within the next 2 years.

 

[delboy777]

Why is your club closing?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

A number of really interesting points since last night. My club has a divot tree which is moved around the course on a two or three daay basis and which members (mostly midweekers) are asked to take a bag of soil/grass mix and replace any divots as they play the hole. There is a large bin adjacent to the green to drop off the (hopefully) empty bags.

It has only been going since last year and has made a huge difference to the quality of the fairways. I grant you that there isn't much that can be done in this weather where there is no growth, but it really is surprising how quickly a fairway recovers doing this especially in the Spring and Autumn with heat an moisture most days.

The point about a kitchen not opening is not uncommon. Ours doesn't open until 10 and there is a lot of disquiet especially on foggy days where play is delayed and people are milling around. A missed opportunity. Our kitchen is contracted out and so if you are really unhappy with the service, if enough members make a noise most committees will discuss it and maybe bring the guy in for a chat.

I think most clubs will have to look to extra society days and possibly green fees. Ascot introduced a scheme where you could book a round as a normal green fee (it is normally only open as a members guest) and despite some worries about the course being too busy I didn't see too many problems. I'm not sure though how big a response it had as it wasn't overly advertised. I like the idea of maybe two free green fees per member to allow you to bring potential members up to visit and play and get a good sense of what the club is about.

It is interesting about the EGU and their work in getting youngsters in. I know MikeH was speaking with them recently and I'd love to know what their take is on how they plan to get more juniors involved. I know Downshire (municiple in Wokingham - council owned) do a junior teaching system at weekends which always seems really well attended and I think pretty accessible given the clubs ownership by Bracknell Forest. I know N1 golf do a junior coaching scheme at Maidenhead Golf Centre and this again is quite popular but I think more expensive and I think it is the kids of parents already playing whereas Downshire attracts a more diverse cross-section.

 

[Herbie]

We will see a change over the next year especially if some projections come about regarding the number of unemployed along with the self imposed restrictions with banks. Money isnt flowing and this has aknock on effect throughout.Many golfers may be able to weather the storm but an equal number will be looking at their budgets. like any business you could see golf clubs going down but unlikely to be that big a problem.

As for the divot problem , half the battle would be won if the lazy b******s playing replaced them in the first place, some golfers are like dog owners, brag about whats right or wrong cleaning up after their pets yet let them crap anywhere when they think no one sees them. Its the same with golfers and divots and members (long standing or not) are as guilty as hell. Rant over!