You never let us down. And in our latest membership survey you have once again delivered in spades, providing us with plenty of food for thought as you highlighted the areas of our game that you enjoy the most and leave you tearing your hair out.
In no particular order, here we look at some of your comments and topics that continue to exercise your minds.
Pace of play and etiquette standards need enforced
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
There’s a clear tension between traditionalists who want etiquette enforced and newer players who view golf as leisure rather than competition. Many feel standards of etiquette are slipping, especially with the rise of casual or flexible members. Clubs are being urged to find a balance between accessibility and maintaining standards on the course. You will all have walked on to greens and found yourself preparing endless pitchmarks. We have all found ourselves in bunkers that have not been raked properly. We have all seen golfers who flatly refuse to replace divots. It surely falls upon golf clubs and committees to remind their members to repair pitchmarks, to rake bunkers, to replace divots and to invite faster groups to play through.
“Limit tee times for slower golfers. Limit handicap to 24 on all club match play competitions and club championships.” “Get them to stop complaining about slow play – I am out there to enjoy a round and not to be on a conveyor belt.” “Too many non-golfers slowing play. Bring back vetting members before joining.” “Limit membership so there’s available tee times, and more enforcement of pace of play and education on repairing divots and raking bunkers – both are getting worse in the modern game.” Finding a better balance between competitions and casual rounds
Golfers are divided on how clubs should allocate tee times – between traditional competitions and casual social rounds. The rise in casual and occasional golfers is creating friction with long-standing members. It signals a cultural shift away from golf as a structured sport toward a more recreational, lifestyle experience. Many golfers enjoy playing competitive golf but it is pretty obvious that many of you just want to get out there and have some fun – and there is nothing wrong with that. Too often I see golfers throwing temper tantrums, shoulders slumped – it makes me wonder why they play the game. It is meant to be fun!
“Less competitions, more time for casual golf.” “Too many competitions – more social golf.” “I’m very much a social golfer and pay the membership for the convenience. I’m not interested in the regular competitions, but understand many members are.” “Less club competitions at weekends. Less society and corporate events. Better screening of visitors’ ability.” Frustrations with online booking systems
Digital tee booking – once hailed as progress – is now a flashpoint. The problem is that with many clubs demand outstrips availability. It is an extremely difficult balancing act.
“Sort out WhatsApp group of people who get all the good tee times – impossible to get a regular game.” “Get rid of the online booking system.” “A booking system that’s easier to use and not having to book at midnight.” “We have persisted with a tee time booking system after COVID. This has had a detrimental effect on clubhouse atmosphere and ultimately bar takings.” Improve the social culture in clubhouses
You seem to indicate that golf’s social side – once central to the club experience – has weakened. Fewer members linger after rounds, and work/life pressures mean less social integration. Comments show nostalgia for clubs as genuine communities, but also recognition that younger or working golfers simply have less time. Clubs seeking loyalty may need to rebuild the “belonging” factor. I can only speak from personal experience – the clubhouse at my golf club is the hub. It is filled with laughter and golfers socialising with one another. And I have to say that this is something I have experienced at many other clubs in 2025.
“More social functions and improved F&B.” “Bring back the clubhouse atmosphere – it’s gone since online bookings started.” “There are too many ‘car park’ golfers who just play and leave.” “Before taking up golf I used to be in a running group… it’s all a bit old fashioned. Those of us who still work aren’t really accommodated.” Should members receive loyalty benefits?
Members increasingly expect clubs to behave like modern consumer brands – offering rewards, recognition and perks. This marks a departure from the traditional view that membership itself is the reward. Clubs that introduce loyalty schemes or visible appreciation could strengthen retention in an increasingly choice-rich golf landscape.
“Reward loyalty! Why not offer things like increasing number of complimentary guest green fees for every, say, three years of membership?” “Reward for loyalty.” “Would like loyal long-time members possibly getting a slight reduction in fees.” “Discount for length of membership and how much is spent in the clubhouse.” Club management needs to become more transparent
Frustration with club management and transparency is common. Members want to see their money spent wisely and expect modern governance – less committee politics, more professionalism. This aligns with a broader generational shift: golfers increasingly see themselves as paying customers. Clubs have a duty to communicate effectively with their members, rather than treating them as cash cows. If you have planned maintenance work, tell your members. If you are increasing your fees, tell your members why. It’s not rocket science.
“Stop wasting money on needless surveys and trivia and get the playing areas neat and tidy.” “Better communication between owners and members plus consistent application of rules.” “Directors/managers sacked – the decisions they make are not good.” “Dissolution of volunteer boards and committee replaced by a more professional approach headed by the club general manager.” Better membership options for families and young people
There is an obvious demand for family-friendly and youth-accessible models. Many see golf’s survival tied to getting more women and juniors involved, and to supporting multi-person households. The traditional one-member model doesn’t fit modern family dynamics – especially when leisure budgets and time are shared across activities. My club offers special husband-wife deals on golf membership. Why don’t all clubs do the same?
“Introduction of family membership offering a discount for all family members if two adult partners join.” “Encourage more ladies and juniors.” “Husband/Wife deals.” “Membership discount for young players at university – my son stopped playing because of cost.” Need for greater inclusivity and equality
These voices, though a minority, underline the lingering perception that golf remains hierarchical and exclusive. Gender parity and openness to newcomers continue to be sensitive areas. For clubs, visible progress on inclusivity – in pricing, representation, and tone – is both an ethical and commercial necessity.
“Equal fees for men and women.” “More equality between men and women in the running of the golf club (e.g. Men’s Capt is always The Club Capt).” “End snobbery and aloofness – most clubs are ok, just a couple stuck in old ways.” “Lower barriers to entry – golf has been an elitist game and a bit snooty.” Introduce flexible membership schemes
Golfers are acutely aware of the UK’s limited good-weather season. Many feel annual pricing doesn’t reflect months of unplayable conditions. There’s appetite for dynamic or seasonal pricing – an idea borrowed from leisure sectors like gyms or ski clubs. This could reshape how clubs manage cash flow and member value perception. I live in Norfolk. I know of several clubs that struggle to stay open after heavy rain. Their members pay for 12 months golf but know that, in reality, they are likely to be sitting it out for at least one month. But none of these clubs offer refunds.
“Refunds for when course is closed for bad weather.” “Reduced rates when course unable to use during poor weather.” “A fair reflection between membership cost and green fee… when the club subs ratio means you need to play about 50 times, that’s not economic sense.” “Serious consideration for a summer-only membership for members who cannot play all year round due to health problems and buggy restrictions.” Transform golf clubs into varied leisure spaces
Golfers increasingly see clubs as potential multi-activity leisure spaces. If you want your golf club to be a proper social hub then you need to diversify, and that means offering foot golf, padel, proper food, quiz nights, dinner-dances so why are so many reluctant to do so?
“Incorporate other activities like padel tennis and bowling into a golf club.” “All clubs will need a secondary income to survive – children’s adventure golf, paddle tennis, or similar.” “Better practice facilities.” “Halfway facilities – it’s so dated that these are not provided.” Change the World Handicap System
A vocal minority remains disillusioned with the World Handicap System. Complaints centre on perceived unfairness. It is a harsh reality that people will always abuse the handicap system – this is nothing new. Most of us play golf to reduce our handicaps but there remains a significant minority whose sole focus seems to be on protecting their handicaps in order that they can win competitions.
“The new handicap system almost encourages players to keep their handicaps high.” “The new handicap system is a joke.” “Change the WHS handicap.” “Go back to where handicaps can only be issued to full members of affiliated clubs.” Some traditionalists want a restoration of former principles
This is golf’s conservative core speaking – protective of exclusivity, etiquette, and traditions. While small in number, this group holds influence within many long-established clubs. Their comments reflect fear that golf’s identity is being diluted by modernisation and commercial pressures. Oh dear! This is 2025. Fortunately, the stuffed shirts and gin and tonic brigade are a dying breed. This is an inclusive sport, a game for everybody and I, for one, do not want to see a return to the bad old days.
“A return to traditional golf values – vetting process and interview before joining.” “Bring back joining fees, to discourage nomadic golf.” “Make sure people adhere to clothing and rules of golf.” “End nomadic golf – loyalty and etiquette have gone.” Balancing the needs of both members and visitors
Clubs trying to maximise visitor income risk alienating their core membership. The recurring demand for member-first booking policies shows that loyalty and fairness still matter more than short-term revenue. Balancing commercial bookings and member access remains a key management tension. Once again, this highlights what a difficult balancing act clubs face. On the one hand they must try to keep their members happy, on the other they need to bring in extra income from visitors and societies. As club members, perhaps we need to recognise that without these people we would see big increases in our subscriptions.
“Priority weekend tee times for members.” “Members treated worse than green fee players – unacceptable.” “Focus on members rather than societies.” “Too many societies being given preference over members.” Improve the condition of golf courses
These comments remind us that the course itself is the product. Members equate value with quality, and expectations have risen sharply. It goes without saying that we want to play courses in pristine condition and it is a tribute to our greenkeepers that most of us are actually pretty happy with the condition of the course where we play. And remember that improved drainage requires significant investment – and where does that money come from?
“Better greens, better course maintenance, better management of competitions.” “Rough kept tidy. Area around greens reseeded. Some flowering shrubs around the course.” “Better drainage to avoid hole closure over the winter.” “Stop removing bunkers without adding, trees etc.”
Which of these common issues most resonates with you?
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
