UK golf clubs suffering from closures

It is a sad state of affairs in the golfing world currently, with four courses deciding to close their club doors within weeks of each other. Kyngs Golf and Country Club in Leicestershire, Glenisla Golf Club in Scotland, Channels Golf Club in Essex and Padbrook Park Golf Club in Exeter are all sadly now closed, or are closing shortly.

A decline in memberships

The main reason is the economic climate causing a fall in memberships, which generally has seen a decline over the years anyway. This is even though golf boasts a loyal fan base, possibly one of the most loyal fan bases across most sports. The decline could be due to amateurs wanting to experience other sports, or they want to join sports clubs with their families and friends that can also be turned into a fun family day out, as well as the rising cost of club memberships.

The Channels Club in Essex has had to close its eighteen hole course because of the high cost of maintaining the course and the decline in membership, but it will keep its nine hole course and driving range open for its members. The club itself is taking on a new business venture of being available for hire of weddings and functions, including farmers markets and beer festivals.

In recent years hiring club houses for private functions and weddings has become more and more popular, and with the rising cost of weddings, it is an easy way to make money to help put back into the club to keep it going.

Sadly for the members of the Kyngs Golf Club in Leicestershire, there wasn’t any warning of its closure. The members turned up to play to find the gate padlocked and a sign saying it was closed. The land for the course has been sold, and currently no one knows what will become of the course other than that it will not be opening again. There has been talk of a possible nine hole course to open but it is feared this won’t be for many, many years.

Financial difficulties

So what does this mean for other clubs that could be in financial difficulty? Well, they have big overheads to pay, and one of the big ones is the maintenance of the course - hence the hefty price tag of becoming a member.

Some clubs have addressed this issue by offering different types of memberships to suit golfers and their circumstances which results in more members and prices being more purse friendly for the golfer. It opens up options for all members of the family to be able to join and start a hobby they can grow and learn in, and possibly even become professionals.

Let’s hope this doesn’t spell the end of golf clubs but signals a positive change for the 21st century golfing community.