Golf clubs have began to introduce flexible membership schemes to harness the attention of younger golfers, but are they in danger of alienating the older generation.
Against the backdrop of an uncertain economic climate and with the modern-day golfers’ schedule no longer permitting players to while away hours on the course, golf clubs have begun introducing more flexible membership policies.
Aimed at making the sport more accessible and affordable to younger generations, these schemes have seen clubs adjust their prices to ensure they appear welcoming to all, regardless of age or gender.
A recent report commissioned by www.golfsupport.com however, reveals that by doing so golf clubs are in danger of alienating the lifeblood of their membership, the senior golfer.
From the 244 golf clubs across the United Kingdom which participated in the survey, less than 20% offered any incentives or discount to the older generation, a figure at odds with the 92% of seniors who believied they should be entitled to some sort of membership fee reduction.
One participant Mick (68) from Coventry said:
“I love watching golf and it’s a fascination which I only developed when I retired three years ago. I have kept my eye on the membership prices of those golf clubs accessible to me but unfortunately their rates have consistently remained too high for me to be tempted.''
''It’s a huge shame they don’t offer any discounted rates for seniors like they do with other age categories”.
With seniors continuing to make up a high portion of the membership numbers at clubs up and down the country, it must be questioned whether offering this age group incentives could ever be economically feasible, especially considering that many clubs are already struggling to remain afloat.
The past six years has seen 30 courses close, and with several more on the brink of collapse it is of little surprise that golf clubs are attempting to adapt to the more nomadic way in which today’s younger generation consume the sport.
Nonetheless, with seniors remaining the backbone of many golf clubs, the report suggests that those looking to attract the younger generation must continue to pay attention to their more senior members or risk placing themselves in an even more precarious situation.
Visit: https://golfsupport.com/blog/over-80-of-golf-clubs-do-not-include-seniors-in-their-membership-prices/ for the full research.
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