Despite continually soaring participation, golf clubs are still being encouraged to invest in simulators to maximise growth potential.
In pod we trust
Earlier this year we reported on golf clubs that are building ’30 metre driving ranges’ – pods that feature 10 bays and nets to catch balls.
However, clubs are more likely to use pods for accommodation. Murrayshall in Scotland, for example, has unveiled a collection of pods that provide space for four golfers and come with a hot tub. Features include underfloor heating, air conditioning, smart televisions and private outdoor areas, and offer panoramic views.
“The pods have been five years in the making and represent a significant step forward for Murrayshall,” said Gary Silcock, general manager at Murrayshall Country Estate. “They give golfers and leisure guests a completely new way to experience the estate, while increasing our accommodation capacity by 50 percent.”
This is likely to be another record-breaking year for participation
During the surge in participation at the start of this decade, many people understandably thought the numbers would quickly drop back to pre-pandemic figures.
That has not turned out to be the case at all.
The two highest golf participation months ever recorded in England have now both been this year, first in May, and then in August when, for the first time in one month, more than 1.6 million scores in England were submitted to the World Handicapping System.
It’s not just England – data also shows that there were more rounds of golf played in the first half of this year in the UK than in any other first half of a year since recording on this began 20 years ago.
Partnering with entertainment may be key for growth for some clubs
Despite the growth in participation, many clubs are still struggling, not least because of inflationary pressures.
The CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association in the USA, Jay Karen, believes there is hope for those venues, however.
“We’ve got millions of people trying golf by hitting into screens. We’ve got to create connective tissue somehow,” he said.
He added that investing in simulators or partnering with entertainment companies could be a way forward, as he believes that the number of golf entertainment venues in urban areas in the US could double over the next few years.
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