Most Golfers Expect Membership Costs to Rise in 2025

What certainties are there in golf during 2025?

Scottie Scheffler will win more tournaments, there will be lots of noise around the Ryder Cup, speculation will continue around a framework deal, Tiger Woods will attempt to convince the world that he can still win one more major and course conditions will continue to dominate clubhouse conversations.

Oh yes, and if you are a member of a golf club your annual subscription will surely increase.

Golfers Expect Membership Costs to Rise in 2025

In our most recent golf-club membership survey we asked whether you were expecting to see your membership costs rising in 2025 and it should come as no surprise to learn that 84% of you replied in the affirmative. 

We guess that the 11% of you who were unsure are probably going to be disappointed. Interestingly, 5% of the 3,000 of you who responded to our survey stated that you are not expecting an increase in your 2025 subscription. At a time when clubs continue to face rising costs - just like the rest of us - we will be extremely lucky to escape an increase.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Are Golfers Prepared to Pay?

So yes, almost all of us believe we are going to be asked to dig deeper, but how many of us are prepared to do so? With a shrug of the shoulders, 77% of you say that you will cough up, with just 4% saying that any increase will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. 

On the face of things, it may seem that golf clubs have little to worry about but those statistics mean that 19% of you have yet to make up your mind. And of those who are undecided about renewing their membership, 33% said they would not join another club - and that, of course, means they could be lost to the game.

There are lots of reasons for people thinking about walking away from golf clubs and, as usual, your views makes fascinating reading.

Almost 50% of you cite cost as a reason, with 15% thinking about jumping ship because of course conditions.

Could Golfers Leave Clubs?

Here are some of your views on this subject:

"Links courses are the way forward. Inland and parkland courses are realistically only now able to provide decent golf for six/seven months of the year."

That is all well and good but there is one issue with links golf in the winter - you will almost certainly have to contend with a biting cold sea breeze.

"Golf is becoming excessively expensive. At the age of 79 I cannot play sufficient number of times a year. To be viable it would need well over 35 rounds‚ it has been a questionable expense for many years. I am considering opting for pay and play in Portugal."

Who wouldn’t rather play in Portugal? I have recently addressed the issue of subscriptions in relation to senior golfers. Surely there has to be some flexibility for those who simply don’t fancy playing 52 weeks a year.

Guess what? We are British and that means that the weather has become a factor for many of you when considering whether or not to renew.

Impact of The Weather

"Unfortunately, the weather plays a major role. I only play midweek so a five-day membership suits me. Also, my club offers summer membership. This suits as I have never been keen on playing golf in the winter."

"My course is virtually unplayable during winter and fees need to reflect this."

"Our club, like many in the north west of England, is struggling financially and the poor weather does not help."

"My club offers poor value for money. I am charged a full year's membership even when the course is closed or waterlogged and we have to play from temporary tees for four months of the year."

"Most people are aware that costs have increased and the weather has worsened. There is now an expectation for golfers to play 12 months of year but that does not factor in the British weather. Even during course closures, the club has bills to pay."

"There is now more and more to consider when it comes to asking if I'm getting value for money. The club is shut a lot more due to wetter winters."

"If the course is mostly closed or restricted during November and December then I will likely leave. I believe that wet winters are here to stay, so courses need to adapt and increase funding for drainage."

"Weather conditions from last year have highlighted where water is being held on fairways. This has not been addressed."

"If we have another wet winter I will have to consider my future as I am not able to carry my clubs."

"I will see how winter goes and if drainage works. We are already on winter mats."

"Paths at my club are in need of improvement and we need flexibility on trolleys for those unable to carry in winter/wet conditions."

"It is too expensive for a course that is only playable for eight or nine months of the year."

"My course is in the poorest condition that I have seen in my 20 years of membership. I want to see what plans we have for improvement. I would happily pay more in terms of green fees if it helped to improve the course."

The Difficult Balancing Act

Here’s the rub with all of this - if we accept that our climate is changing and that we are going to be suffering from wetter winters then it stands to reason that low-lying golf courses and those with rivers running through them are going to have to invest serious sums of money on improved drainage. And who is going to pay for that? And where is that money going to come from? 

So if wet courses are part of your consideration you are going to have to accept that your golf is going to cost you more. 

At my own club we have just moved to blue tees for the winter - it has vastly reduced the length of the course and while many people have complained, I see two benefits - for the next four months we get to play what is effectively a different golf course and when spring arrives our regular tees will be ready to go.

And for the golf courses who do get it right and are able to remain open for 52 weeks of the year, there is another issue…

Other Concerns For Golf Club Members

"Unlike most local courses, my course is extremely well drained, so it attracts many visitors and societies. As a consequence, the pace of play is woeful."

Pace of play remains a concern for many of you.

"Food and beverage prices way too high. And the pace of play is way too slow."

"It does depend on the renewal fee and the plans to deal with the slow play issue."

At my own club, the committee decided to attempt to address the issue of slow play by sending out an email with a list of tips designed to speed things up. Rocket science it was not. But you may be surprised to learn that it seems to have worked. Of course, there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that people will slip back into bad habits so this is something we are going to have to do on a fairly regular basis. 

It is extremely difficult to keep everybody happy but let’s finish this on a positive note...

"There is a point when membership fee becomes too much, but at the moment I look at it as I’m paying £25 a week in membership to play my golf course. I am retired and this is good value for money because I play three times a week at least."

"We are a members' club, run by the members for the members. You must pay your fees, roll up your sleeves and get stuck in."

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