UK golf clubs are reintroducing joining fees
By Alistair Dunsmuir
The boom in golf participation in the last four years has resulted in some golf clubs reintroducing joining fees, a new survey has found.
The research also suggests that waiting lists are on the increase again – and that some golf clubs need to improve their communications with members and visitors.
The Golfshake poll asked around 4,000 members of UK clubs (the majority of whom were full members aged 55 or over) if they paid a joining fee.
Nearly half of responders (47 percent) who joined their club no later than in 2013 said they did, and this dropped dramatically to less than a quarter (23 percent) if they joined between 2013 and 2018. It fell again to 17 percent if they joined between 2018 and 2021.
However, if they joined a golf club since 2021, then the number who had paid a joining fee was back up to nearly one in four (24 percent) again.
Golfshake reports that a surprising number of the comments in response to the survey were from members who are in favour of joining fees.
There was a similar trend with joining a waiting list prior to becoming a member of their club. More than one in five (21 percent) of responders said they did this when they joined their club no later than in 2013, and this slumped to between six and seven percent between 2013 and 2021. However, 12 percent of members of clubs who joined since 2021 say they were first put on a waiting list.
Other results from the survey shows slightly higher satisfaction rates among newer members than older ones – for example, 75 percent of people who have joined their club since 2021 say their subscription fee represents value for money, whereas 70 percent of members who have been at their club for at least ten years say the same. Despite this, 81 percent of long-standing members said they are planning to renew their membership in 2024, compared with 74 percent of members who have recently joined.
Golfshake has also found that 30 percent of existing golf club members were given a subscription fee increase in 2023 – but no communication to explain why.
Nearly one-third of members (32 percent) also say their club never asks them for feedback, and 35 percent of members believe their clubs do not market themselves well to visitors.
However, 90 percent of members said, overall, they do regularly receive communication from their golf club, mostly via email.
By Alistair Dunsmuir
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My club saw increase in membership after the pandemic but the standard of members dropped drastically.
Despite being told majority ignored rules on the course and dress code virtually ignored. At one stage looked like workmen’s convention more akin to a municipal than a club.
Joining fees not only contribute to finances which have been hit in recent years but also help to improve standards.
We are experiencing growing visitors and societies which during the week help fill gaps for those who are working.
Like most clubs we have graduated tiers of memberships and only when you are in your mid thirties do you pay full membership. This is common to most clubs in our area and works really well.
Sadly golf club membership fee’s are growing beyond the attainability of the average person, once you add the joining fee’s as well…Then once more it becomes a sport for the wealthy only. Do you really want golf to become elitist again ?
Sadly, despite all the hype that the golf business has been printing, golf is going to die in a big way and will once again, only be available to those wealthy enough to play, or have the dedication to do so. After the surge during Covid, many clubs have pushed their fees to the limit and are now unafordable to the majority, visitors and societies are abandoning these clubs in droves – Courses are closing all around the UK, joining fees, stupid visitor green fees are pushing thousands away from the game, – if this continues in 2024, Golf participation will plummet – clubs, whether, members, proprietory or municiple had better beware!
Stupid idea,most people are struggling with the cost of living,a lot of working class people keep these clubs going.
Clubs need to adopt a more flexible approach to memberships/subscriptions. Monthly DD’s & flex credits whereby golfers pay a premium for summer golf but corresponding less in the winter are the two obvious ways. Only the so called “elite” clubs can get away with joining fees & a traditional approach to subs but the vast majority will have to adopt a more pragmatic approach to survive
Joining fees increase loyalty and commitment. Dropping them means golfers can flit from club to club without financial loss. Many clubs I know of also reduced subscriptions to fill their coffers, allowing in a lot of riffraff who lower standards and disregard club rules.
Most members clubs need to wake up the fact that there are going to be tuff times ahead and make changes to the way they look after members and visitors
Joining fees increases the clubs finances. What about someone who pays £1000+ joining fee that isn’t happy after 12 months at the club?
£1000! I would be happy with that, I live in Cyprus and pay €3000+ per year!
Joining fees are 1950’s thinking!
This is a good way to turn away new members to a club! I know we will never pay a joining fee no matter how good the golf course maybe?
Golf clubs need as many members as they can handle & appreciate without going overboard thinking that are the best golf course that ever was? #StandUpBeCounted #comeseetnq #comeseenq #flybonza
I count myself lucky as a member if two clubs that are at the opposite ends of the range when you look at the whole facilities etc. one is a nine hole course, no clubhouse, toilet, pro shop etc but it’s a good challenge with a tight layout and is modestly priced.
The other is 18 holes, good clubhouse, driving range, chipping / bunker practice area, has held a PGA event. Both have a modest number of members meaning you can get onto the course and play and neither are overplayed to the detriment of the course. Pace of play is good. I had to pay a joining fee for the better club, made it expensive for the first year but it is what it is. What neither club has is the stuffed shirts attitude of club captain, president, secretary etc all with reserved parking and feeling they are entitled compared to ordinary members. I’ve played at many of the more traditional types and know which I prefer.
An excellent article and positive statement from clubs and club members.
The challenge now is for clubs to get more of their members to use the fuller facilities that they have on offer and successfully communicate these and the other benefits of their membership to all members.
Unfortunately a joining fee is often seen as a way of keeping members longer term and clubs get complacent about looking after their members as a consequence. Many clubs could keep members if they really looked after members/customers better, with better communications, more social events and cross member competitions. People join clubs not just for the golf but also a good social experience.
A joining fee is old thinking in these terms, members will stay if they get an all round friendly experince.
Absolutely nail on head. There is little or no effort on behalf of golf clubs to make the members more inclusive with other members to try a d bring back some of the camaraderie we o ce enjoyed
Now it’s just a case of give me your money now go and play sad
A step in the wrong direction but that’s their decision
In a recession with money tight and so many other sports competing for followers I fear for golf particularly out and in courses with no facility for ” a quick nine ”
Also the high percentage of aged members its only a matter of time before there will be a shortage of members and applicants to replace them and the joining fee is a large factor.
Clubs are “painting themselves into a corner “