BRS Golf, a leading provider of tee time management systems, and GolfNow, the world’s biggest tee time marketplace, have reported another strong quarter for both member and visitor play, despite the UK & Ireland experiencing one of the wettest summers on record.
Together BRS Golf and GolfNow provide tee time booking solutions to 1,500 golf clubs across England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, making it one of the largest sources of participation data for golf in the British Isles.
There was a slight drop of 60,000 rounds (1%) in Q3 2023 (July-Sept) compared to Q3 2022, likely due to the poor weather, but compared to pre-Covid levels, Q3 2023 was still up 86% on 2019 figures, although 21% down from the height of the boom in Q3 2021.
MEMBER ROUNDS REMAIN STRONG
Although Q3 2023 experienced a slight dip in member play compared to the same period in 2022, the first nine months of 2023 recorded a total of 21m member rounds, representing a 6% increase on last year, which was itself a record year for member participation. This year’s numbers represent a 17% increase on 2021, a 22% increase on 2020, and a 93% increase on 2019.
2023 Q3: MEMBER ROUNDS BY COUNTRY
England 3.57m -1% YOY
Ireland 1.57m -3%
N Ireland 484,000 -11%
Scotland 1.29m +4%
Wales 385,000 +3%
2023 Q1-3: MEMBER ROUNDS BY COUNTRY
England 10.2 m +6% YOY
Ireland/NI 6.02m +5%
Scotland 3.59 m +10%
Wales 1.11m +9%
Q3 MONTH-BY-MONTH MEMBER ROUNDS
July-Sept, BRS Golf processed 7.3m member rounds
July 2.62m (+211k YOY)
Aug 2.64m (-90k)
Sept 2.05m (-180k)
Looking ahead to Q4, the weather will, as ever, have a huge impact on the number of rounds played over the last three months of the year. However, with a spell of mild weather in early October coinciding with a post-Ryder/Solheim Cup bounce in golf participation, there are already positive signs for the final quarter of the year. BRS Golf and GolfNow are forecasting a total of 26 million rounds played in the year – up 5% year-on-year, and 93% up on 2019.
VISITOR NUMBERS CONTINUE TO INCREASE
GolfNow has reported a record-breaking 163,000 downloads of its mobile app across the first nine months of the year (+21% YOY). The majority (65%) will book day of play or 24-48 hours before play, so clubs on the platform should ensure they have up to the minute inventory available.
To date in 2023, GolfNow has seen a very strong year, with £11.2m in course revenue (£4.4m in Q3 alone). From April-September, the platform recorded six consecutive months with over £1m in course partner revenue. A 20% jump YOY – the biggest months since post-lockdown booms during Covid.
1,460 course partners sold rounds through GolfNow (up 3% on 2022), as clubs seek to diversify rounds and revenue generation. There were 58,000 new bookers on the platform in 2023 (up 7% year-on-year), and the average basket value of a GolfNow booking has increased 2% compared 2022, up to £54.96.
