Why Senior Golfers Should Pay Less For Their Memberships

Many of us will be dreading the arrival of our golf club’s annual subscription demand, be it through the letterbox or via email. And for most of us it will mean an increase as our golf clubs aim to balance their books and keep their heads above water.

For some, it will be one increase too many and they will take the tough decision to walk away.

Rory McIlroy recently hit the headlines when he revealed that he was a member of several golf clubs. And you can be sure that he doesn’t lose too much sleep over the amount of money he has to pay. 

He also revealed that he happily pays his father’s annual subscription. And quite right too. Gerry McIlroy (and his wife Rosie) made a huge number of sacrifices to ensure that a young McIlroy could follow his dreams so it is surely only right that Rory puts his hand in his pocket for his Dad. I am also willing to wager a substantial amount of money that McIlroy Snr does not have to pay for any of his golf equipment either.

One of the most fascinating aspects of reading this story on various social media platforms was the feedback. 

There was no jealousy about McIlroy’s ability to sustain multiple memberships and he was widely praised for looking after his Dad. But I was also struck by just how many senior golfers bemoaned the cost of their golf, with many telling us that they had either already been forced to give up their memberships or would be doing so in the near future.

It got me thinking.

I recently wrote an article in which I attempted to work out the cost of my golf - it equated to around £80 a week, which is a substantial amount of money. I am lucky - I can just about afford it, although having seen the figures in black and white I will be looking at certain aspects of my golf expenditure. I spend too much on golf balls for starters, and it may be time to start thinking about having a coffee at the end of my round rather than a pint of beer.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

And I know that there are many senior golfers who are finding it increasingly difficult to justify the cost of their golf club subscriptions. Many of my playing partners do not have hefty pension pots. You only have to listen to the vast number of complaints directed at the government’s decision to scrap the winter fuel payments to realise that many seniors struggle to justify the ongoing cost of playing golf.

So, should golf clubs be looking to make allowances for seniors? Should seniors who, by their very nature, largely form the lifeblood of many golf clubs be given reduced subscriptions? Reduced memberships are available at some golf clubs, but not all, far from it.

I know that there will be some who will be choking on their Corn Flakes at the very thought of this but there are a number of factors to be taken into consideration.

Juniors are given cheap golf. This is obviously done as a means to draw them into the game. Get them hooked early and the chances are that they will keep playing.

And many clubs offer reduced fees for men and women in the 20-30 age group. Again, the reasons for this are pretty obvious, and make perfect sense to me.

We all know that our sport needs to attract a younger audience if it is to continue to thrive and grow. 

Men and women in the 20-30 age range may have the most difficult work-life balance. Many do not earn huge salaries, are starting young families and taking on mortgages. They often do not have a great deal of free time on their hands and will constantly be looking at their budgets. So it is absolutely correct that age group to be given some kind of incentive to keep playing the game.

I have absolutely no issue with those in the 30-67 age group being asked to pay full whack. These are people in full employment, at the peak of their earning powers and with cash to spare. 

Trust me when I tell you that all changes from the day you retire. I retired in January 2024. I have loved every minute of it but it hit me hard on what would have been my February pay day - and no salary dropped into my bank account. Yes, I receive a state pension and have a couple of small private pensions but, like millions of other people in my age group, I am now very conscious of how much I spend and what I spend it on.

But has the time come to start thinking about doing something for more senior golfers? I believe it has - and that there are several ways of making this work.

For starters, if you are a pensioner who has been a member of a golf club for, say, 20 years, should you not be offered some kind of incentive to reward your long service and the huge amount of money you have spent? 

Would it really break the bank to offer such golfers a 10% loyalty bonus? 

I also have to say that I am utterly bewildered by the refusal of many clubs to give every golfer over the age of 80 either complimentary membership or a VASTLY reduced rate.

I also know from my own club that there are many older players who simply do not want to struggle round during the bitterly cold winter months. It cannot possibly be beyond the wit of man to offer these individuals six-month memberships? I know that some clubs already do this but let’s see its widespread introduction please. It is surely better for clubs to benefit from collecting a six-month fee rather than risk losing yet another club member?

There is another very good reason for keeping senior golfers on track - it has been shown that getting out in the fresh air is good for our mental wellbeing. And golf also helps seniors to remain fit and flexible. 

When you reach a certain age, if you stop being physically active your body will quickly seize up - and there is every possibility that depression will set in.

I do not pretend to have all the answers but I am convinced that more needs to be done to keep senior golfers playing the game.

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