Why would someone join a golf club?

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir April 24, 2014 10:01

A new survey has revealed that a welcoming and friendly atmosphere is the number one reason why somebody relatively new to golf will join a golf club. This is followed by knowing an existing member and a thriving social programme.

While the Golf Development Wales (GDW) poll of nearly 2,000 people who have joined a golf club in the last year does not go into any detail as to what constitutes a ‘welcoming atmosphere’, the survey comes less than two months after England Golf called on golf clubs to relax dress codes and restrictions on mobile phones, following its own market research.

Most of the 2,000 people questioned in this new poll had only just been introduced to the game – through GDW’s New2Golf scheme, and the majority of them are female.

Those surveyed who had not gone on to join a club cited lack of time and cost as the main reasons, but only a tiny minority completely ruled out joining a club in the future.

The club’s social programme was particularly important to women, while the opportunities to get a handicap and play in competitions were more important to men.

It is not clear how useful the data will be to golf clubs as several market themselves as already being ‘friendly’, but a spokeswoman for the Golf Union of Wales said the research shows that clubs should use their existing members to recruit new people to join their facilities.

“This is really important feedback and helps to remind clubs there is plenty they can do to encourage people to join,” said development director Hannah Fitzpatrick.

“The findings provide strong support for ‘member get member’ type schemes.”

Fitzpatrick added that the survey shows that golf clubs should maintain some form of contact with golfers who have chosen not to join a club – as they could be persuaded to do so in the future,

“All these stories are good for the golf clubs that are changing, good for the sport, but also good for the people taking up a game that will keep them active for the rest of their lives,” she added.

New2Golf is a promotional scheme for Welsh clubs that encourages participants to try the game with discounts on lessons.

In the two years since it was launched, including the initial pilot period, 1,796 people have taken up club membership – with well over half being girls or women.

 

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir April 24, 2014 10:01
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8 Comments

  1. chris truyen April 28, 11:14

    Hi there, In Golf Club Enghien, I’m responsible for the ‘academy comitee’ and we ‘guide’ new golfers. We have special ‘beginners’ competitions and a lot of activities to make people feel welcome and share ou passion for the game…

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  2. Ian Mullins April 24, 13:37

    Horrah! Someone has finally said it, clubs need to be more welcoming….

    If I take my wife to dinner and spend £40 per head, I will be waited on for 2 hours, asked if I am enjoying myself, called sir, have my coat taken and returned. If myself and a friend visit a golf club for the day and spend £80 on green fees, I am normally just pointed to the first tee and never spoken to again!

    Clubs MUST adopt a good welcoming service to ensure repeat custom and potential new members growth!

    Forget dress codes, forget mobile phone use – just make us feel like you want us there!

    Ian
    TheSocialGolfer.com

    Reply to this comment
  3. gareth wyn hughes (@garethwynhughes) April 24, 13:12

    Not rocket science! Friendly, welcoming clubs attract new members!!!

    Reply to this comment
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