Golf Trends 2013

Clubs beginning to invest again

 It’s been a tough few years for golf clubs, and it’s been even worse for suppliers to golf clubs, as the venues have been reluctant to spend.

However, this did begin to change in 2013, as several clubs started spending money on their facilities – although often on the clubhouse, and especially in non-golfing revenue generators, rather than the course.

De Vere Mottram Hall spent £6 million on an upgrade, including a new bar and restaurant and halfway house, Pype Hayes Golf Club spent £2 million building a new restaurant, function room and gym and Chase Golf Club embarked on a £1 million refurbishment, including the building of a new 80-seater restaurant.

Huge increase in rounds played this summer

Handicapping website HowDidiDo reported an 18 percent increase in the number of rounds played in July 2013, compared with the previous year, bringing it back in line with 2011 figures.

It is thought that this recovery has been one of the main drivers for the seeming increase in expenditure golf clubs carried out in 2013.

Innovative marketing and revenue-generating ideas are taking off

There was a time when golf clubs didn’t want anyone to know about their venue because they already had enough golfing customers. Those days have long gone. In 2013 venues have tried all sorts of creative methods to get people visiting and spending money.

In 2013 Kingswood Golf and Country Club in Surrey hosted a combined golf and poker day, Dartmouth Golf and Country Club in Devon secured more than 100 new members thanks to a ‘buy one get one free’ winter membership offer, Thames Ditton and Esher Golf Club in Surrey used AmazonLocal to offer a month-long membership package, Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club is Suffolk teamed up with a 500-year-old grade I listed hall and gardens to market a combined attraction to visitors.

Some major golf courses are due to be built

Despite economic difficulties over the last few years that’s seen several courses close, many major new developments are in the pipeline.

Developers hope to build The Ayrshire, a £60 million, 18-hole links pay-and-play course featuring a hotel and holiday homes spread over 171 acres, while in East Fife, planning permission has been sought for a £10 million golf development on farmland at Dumbarnie Links.