From the results of the new digital queuing system in St Andrews being revealed to the continued growth of padel, we look back at April to see what’s trending in the UK golf industry.
Major projects are happening
In the last month, for example, Prince’s Golf Club in Kent has completed a significant clubhouse renovation, while on the other side of Kent, London Golf Club has had planning approval granted for a major expansion of its facilities.
Work there will include a new five-storey hotel, lodges, a wedding venue, a turf academy and a driving range and training centre.
There are undoubtedly economic pressures on golf clubs at the moment but many still see this as an opportune time to invest heavily in themselves.
Padel continues to soar
So far this year Beacon Park has lodged plans to build a padel centre, Hartford Golf Club has received approval to build four padel courts, Moor Allerton Golf Club and Burghley Park Golf Club have said they will build padel courts, among others, and now Great Western Golf in Glasgow has said it will open three covered padel courts.
“Padel is really sociable, lots of fun and a relatively easy sport to learn, so we hope lots of people will come and give it a go,” said Great Western Golf spokesperson, Yvonne Park.
The end of an era at St Andrews (sort of)
For the last three decades, single golfers who were not able to secure a tee time at the Old Course, St Andrews in another way could queue up outside the starter’s hut, in the hope that they could get one. Sometimes the queuing would start very early in the morning and last up to 12 hours, mostly spent exposed to the elements. And there would still be no guarantee of a tee time at the end of it.
Last year, for the first time, St Andrews Links Trust brought in a digital queuing system, of which the results have now been revealed: Nearly 15,000 golfers applied, including 227 on the busiest day, and nearly 4,000 were successful. Crucially, it’s also been well received.
Some golfers do still miss the old system, though. “Hanging out with a bunch of people that loved golf as much as I did,” wrote one person online. “It was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.”
The tradition of in-person queuing hasn’t been totally lost, however. Golfers are still expected to appear at the Old Pavilion in person, with a photograph of themselves, on the day before they wish to play.
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