It has been long coming there is a much bigger divide between the top and bottom clubs than ever before that I can remember.
We are seeing green fees at Ł1000 per round in 2025 and lowest probably Ł1 that is huge.
Also golf equipment, maintenance equipment, pay, services (electric/gas/water) is becoming more and more expensive. The quality of living is going down as people are now having to prioritise things more often.
It's a global issues that is influencing this not specific governments who have changed hands over the years and decades have both sides really improved things? everyone is entitled to their opinions but the bigger picture is more worrying.
The UK weather (enormous amount of rainfall from Aug 2023 to Apr 2024) badly hit the finances of many golf clubs especially those who rely on green fees more than memberships. I have heard in the grapevine that potentially up to 300 golf clubs in the UK could easily close if things do not improve. Fortunately the weather is better which hopefully will help a number of clubs.
Many clubs have increased their membership/green fees this year and need to hit the right spot commercial/economic wise. Where I am two golf courses have closed over the last 5 years, one is increasing their annual membership by 50% has lead to people trying to join other clubs in the area which now all have a waiting list.
There is demand in some areas and in others not. It does make you question why the R&A said in the 1990s that 750 more golf courses are needed to meet demand However they didn't say quality or quantity. Most of these courses were poorly designed and created by landowners and farmers makes me wonder how many of the post 1990s golf courses have closed since then.
Also there is an increase in nomadic golfers who rather play different golf courses than be a member of a golf club. England Golf's iGolf app has helped them to get an official handicap without being a member of a club at much lower cost - one also wonders what the increase is in numbers year by year of going down this route.
Cheers
Ben