Sean,
I'm not in the strongest of positions to compare UK golf to any other golf markets but, with specific regard to the internet, the issue is one of transparency. Granted you can't play golf online yet but you can buy (not simply book) a tee time there. That isn't to contradict anything we've said about supply exceeding demand, it's just that the internet highlights that over supply.
Paul
Fair enough, but as said earlier, I think the real culprit for struggling clubs has been identified. All the other talk is just milling about the edges of the real issue. If every club dropped all its traditions, there still aren't enough golfers to fill the membership rolls. To think a serious number of new golfers will come to the game if and when this happens is a bit pie in the sky thinking. There are already a ton of clubs with virtually no connection with tradition which are struggling. I still say, a good product in good condition is the number one best seller for golfers.
Ciao
Sean,
I would agree that an imbalance between supply and demand is largely responsible for a shortfall of members across the board and also for falling prices. However, each individual club is in its own battle for survival and must do what it can to attract sufficient members from the available pool of golfers, to the detriment of its competitors if necessary. If competing local clubs go under, that is good news for the clubs remaining. Such is the world.
I take issue however, with your assertion that traditional clubs with interesting courses are most likely to survive. I can only go from my own local knowledge and experience but it is clear that in this area at least many recently built courses are thriving while a lot of the older clubs are on their knees.
http://www.styalgolf.co.uk/club%20info.htmlhttp://www.vra.co.uk/golf/http://www.highleghpark.com/http://www.peovergolfclub.co.uk/index.phpThese places have all been built in the last 20 years and to one degree or another seem to be doing just fine despite architecturally uninspiring courses. They attract a much younger golfer than older clubs, have not adopted many of the old-fashioned traditions I started this thread bemoaning, have excellent practice facilities and most importantly of all, have USGA greens that never close in winter.
It is impossible to over-estimate the importance to the average golfer of not having to play on temporary greens at the first hint of frost. This is one area where newer courses have a big advantage and is more important to most golfers - particularly young ones - than general golf course architecture.
These are the kind of places that traditional clubs must compete with for the available number of serious golfers, and they are not going to win the battle by continuing with all the 'Mr Captain' bollocks.