The slightly strange juxtaposition is of this thread with the concurrent one about Elie and its members-and-guests-only summer policy. One suggests a very thriving club context, the other the polar opposite. Both can, of course, be true simultaneously...elsewhere in the UK reports of sporadic club and course closures continue, but then at the same time so do reports of thriving and/or reintroduced waiting lists. Many clubs remain in a (much) healthier position than they were pre-COVID but those professionally involved like Adrian et al will have a much better idea of how things are shaping up for the generality of mid-table suburban clubs where so much English (NB) golf takes place.
I think that we are sliding back toward pre covid levels. I think that PRO GOLF is not in a good place, it has got very boring to watch on TV, mainly the courses are dull and too much the same. The LIV situation does not help the viewer wants to see best v the best, for me I just watch majors. The courses WE tend to like are not dull but the big tournaments need the big infrastructure. I even think the Masters has got a bit pants, the par 3 is actually fun to watch except its not really a competition. Back in the 70s in the UK we had PRO CELEBRITY GOLF and that kick started a lot of people to golf, an hour long program with TV personalities, maybe we need something like that. From a UK point of view the weather has been horrible for the last four years off season so some people just dont get their value, not many want to play in the rain, not many want to carry (you all might here but its a minor opinion) their clubs. The game is slow. Aimpoint make it even slower. The handicapping system allows easier 'cheating' so some feel that they are disadvantaged.
The game won't go away but it will contract a bit and it will probably mean we need to lose one in eight golf courses over the next 5-10 years. That could in some areas where they are all good, you would lose a good one. Quality of the course may not even be the absolute decider which one goes. Closeness, where your mates play and price all play a big factor.
Going abroad on golf trips is at its most popular though, the modern golfer is much more nomadic they play around much more which once again hurts the membership model if they are in a monthly society group.
Scotland and the Scots like things a bit too cheap and they need to accept that $70 a month for unlimited golf will cause a bit carnage for some clubs. The min wage is the same North and South, yet golf gets cheaper in the UK as you go North, if you get too skinny with the sums well.........