There is a demographic shift in member-owned private clubs in the UK, and the effects of the economic downturn are already being felt. Not long ago it would have been a 10-year wait to get into Wilmslow, Prestbury, Stockport etc. Now you can pretty well get straight in if you know the requisite numbers of full members to sponsor you. Usually the (non refundable) joining fee is twice the annual subscription - most of which are around £1,000 - so your first year will cost you ca £3,000. At most clubs you have to be a full member in order to vote at club meetings and very often you must be a full member to play in certain club competitions. These conditions continue to evolve as the status of lady members, for example, change. At all such clubs an important element of club income is from visiting parties, but these are generally restricted to certain weekdays and there are always slots available before and after the morning and afternoon sessions for member play. Casual visitors are welcomed but green fees are high (ca £50) for non-introduced visitors. Members' guests are usually £15 or so. Each club has its rules about how many visitors you may introduce at a time, or how many times you may introduce the same visitor.
However, many clubs on the fringes of Manchester, for instance, are desperate for new members and have dropped joining fees. The plain fact is that these courses are on heavy soil which gets waterlogged in winter. Those who might play, say, once a month are leaving these clubs and going to new pay-and-play courses or joining a proprietory club where you pay a much lower annual sub but a modest green fee each time you go out.
In general one of the big problem areas for British members' clubs is a lack of income from catering and bar sales. Traditionally golf club food has been simple and inexpensive and available at most times of the day. It can no longer been done for that price. Drink-driving regulations have certainly cut bar takings, and, again, members expect to be able to drink at any time. But you might be paying for a bar staff of two to serve three customers all evening! Few golf clubs are now the sort of places where you drop in just for a drink. Those who drink will almost certainly have played golf before they do so. Some clubs are inconveniently located - no one would drop in for a drink on their way home from work - you have to make an effort to go there.
With the advent of the golf superstore chains and internet purchasing club professionals find it difficult to generate much income from the sale of clubs and balls. There is an unwritten club ethos at many clubs that you are expected to buy some supplies from the pro just to help keep him in business - which is a good thing as many clubs are effectively run by the pro.
Unfortunately, with the current economic climate there are going to be casualties. Let's hope that committees get their priorities right - that you shouldn't skimp on course and clubhouse maintenance even if you have to postpone the building of that pond across the 18th fairway....