Golf clubs saw a fall in members in 2022, rising green fees and a membership predominantly aged 50 and over. But how has that changed in 2023?
Accountants Hillier Hopkins has opened its annual benchmark survey of UK golf clubs and wants to hear from golf club managers, secretaries and club pros.
The survey, completed by 80+ golf clubs in 2022, takes about 30 minutes to complete and explores every aspect of managing and operating a golf club, including the average age of members, waiting lists, the number of rounds played, and the average cost of green fees.
The survey can be found here and remains open until 1 December 2023.
Sam Hodson, a director at accountants Hillier Hopkins, said: “We have run this survey for over 15 years, with it now being recognised as an authoritative voice on the health of the UK’s golf clubs. We are excited once again to delve into the day-to-day workings of UK golf clubs. The survey gains a lot of interest and hopefully this year will be the same with clubs eager to see how they compare with their peers.
“We are also thrilled to once again partner with the Golf Club Secretary’s Newsletter and with the UK Golf Federation in this survey.”
The results of the 2023 survey will be published in January 2024.
In 2022, the Hillier Hopkins Members and Proprietary Golf Clubs Survey found:
- 64% of golf club members are aged 50 and over, with 21% of members aged over 70.
- 76% of golf club members are men, 15% women and 9% juniors.
- Clubs report fewer members joining in 2022, falling from 90 new members in 2020 and 2021, to 70 in 2022.
- 23% of clubs report more members leaving than joining.
- The number of clubs with waiting lists has fallen to 52% in 2022 from 60% in 2021. The average number of people on waiting lists stands at 61.
- 74% of club membership fees are more than £1,000 a year. The number of clubs with memberships exceeding £1,600 a year has increased by 36%.
- 92% of clubs plan to increase fees in 2023.
- The average round of golf for members has increased from £36 in 2021 to £43.50 in 2022. Non-member green fees have increased from £84 to £108.
A copy of the 2022 report and past survey reports can be found here.