News

The Golf Course Association Europe (GCAE) has appointed former Burhill Group CEO Colin Mayes as president for a two-year term.

Essex venue Golf Kingdom, which was acquired by Blackedge Golf and British Ensign Golf less than a year ago, has relaunched under the new name Whalebone Golf Club – positioning itself as a barrier-free, community-led club where dress codes and gatekeeping have no place.

In Great Britain and Ireland, membership of golf clubs dropped to a low of just over a million in 2019. That figure now stands at 1.35 million – the highest it’s been since 2010, according to new R&A figures.

Two golfing friends have both hit a hole-in-one on the same hole while playing together at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

One of the oldest golf clubs in England is to have its clubhouse demolished and housing will be built where it currently resides.  

The Belfry has unveiled a dramatic redesign of its Derby golf course, transforming it into a heathland layout with 60 new white sand bunkers, raised tees and three signature holes – completing a trio of distinct experiences alongside the Brabazon and PGA National.

A record number of Scottish golf clubs have enrolled in Scottish Golf’s 2026 junior programmes, with GolfSixes participation rising to 169 clubs and new funding streams supporting women’s and girls’ activity across the country.

Tom Mead and Ben Hall claimed the Professionals’ and Assistant Professionals’ Championship titles respectively as Foremost Golf’s annual Championship Week delivered competition, networking and more than £4,000 raised for charity.

A neuroscientist says new research shows the abdominal muscle movements involved in swinging a golf club drive cerebrospinal fluid flow in the brain, which, mixed with walking, could potentially protect against dementia.

A new survey has found that the modern golf traveller is increasingly choosing destinations on the strength of their wider lifestyle offering – with food, wellness and cultural experiences now rivalling course quality as key booking drivers.

The TGI Golf partnership has launched the TGI Golf app, giving partners access to a wide range of business tools and insight while on the move.

A Dubai-based company, which recently acquired Old Thorns and Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has now taken on Breadsall Priory, St Pierre and Tudor Park in a major industry deal.

Prince’s Golf Club has unveiled The Laddie, a new championship composite course drawing the best holes from its three nines, named in honour of celebrated amateur golfer and RAF pilot P B “Laddie” Lucas.

Kawana Hotel – Fuji Course is now available on the Toptracer platform at golf ranges around the world.

The Mount Golf & Country Club has unveiled a premium four-court padel facility as part of a £500,000 investment, alongside £150,000 in drainage and £200,000 in changing facilities, as the Wolverhampton club pushes to become a leading Midlands leisure destination.

The largest golf course operator in Portugal, Details – Hospitality, Sports, Leisure, has taken over the running of Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa in Italy – the company’s first project outside of Portugal.

Moray Golf Club’s John Murray takes the top prize as Foremost Golf names its 2025 Member Awards winners – recognising outstanding performance across retail, marketing and business management at clubs across the UK.

The 18-hole golf course at Gatton Manor Hotel & Country Club in Surrey is to permanently close after nearly six decades of uninterrupted play.

A comprehensive new report from The R&A has set out the strongest case yet for golf as a health-enhancing activity, citing evidence that golfers live on average five years longer than non-golfers and that the sport can help prevent and treat more than 40 major chronic diseases.

A new 12-hole golf venue featuring a driving range, padel and pickleball courts and modern hospitality with eco-cabin stays is to open in the South Downs this June.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has announced that Claire Dowling will serve as captain in 2026/27, the first time a woman has been appointed to the role since the club was founded in 1754.

Masters champion Ian Woosnam, Solheim Cup star Charley Hull and Walker Cup player Charlie Forster have officially opened the new Basingstoke Golf Club, marking the culmination of the club’s £20 million redevelopment.

A Russian oilman’s attempt to acquire a Lake District golf club sitting beside the only rail link to Britain’s nuclear submarine shipyard and Sellafield waste site has fallen apart following government intervention and questions from the Financial Times.

Ormskirk golfer Andrew Haswell won the Welsh Men’s Open Stroke Play Championship at Pyle & Kenfig — after a car smashed into his car, with him behind the wheel, outside the clubhouse.

Royal Lytham & St Annes has been named as the host of the 156th Open, to be played from July 30 to August 6, 2028. It will be the 12th time the Lancashire club has hosted the competition.

LIV Golf’s recent turbulence has raised significant questions about the sustainability of the sovereign wealth backed project.

Trafford Golf Centre has reopened following refurbishment works, welcoming visitors back to a refreshed range experience at one of the UK’s most popular golf and leisure destinations.