A Surge in Green Fees: What’s Happening at UK Golf Courses?

News Summary

Golfers in the UK face steep increases in green fees at top courses, averaging £237, marking a 10.7% rise from last year. Some courses, like Turnberry, now charge £600, while others like Shiskine remain affordable at £40. Notably, North Berwick has surged 185% since 2015. In response to rising costs, the St Andrews Links Trust offers reduced rates for locals. Despite a high demand for green fee revenue, inflation is outpacing average increases, raising concerns among regular players about accessibility.

A Surge in Green Fees: What’s Happening at UK Golf Courses?

Golf enthusiasts, get ready for some eye-popping news about green fees! That’s right, if you’re a fan of top UK golf courses, you might want to brace yourself for some serious price hikes. According to the latest findings, the average green fee for the top 100 golf courses in the UK has rocketed to £237. This hefty rise is a staggering 10.7% increase from last year’s average of £214, and get this – green fees have nearly doubled, increasing by almost 50% since 2021! Ouch!

Where’s the Price Increase Hitting the Hardest?

Let’s delve into the specifics. If you fancy teeing off at Turnberry, be prepared to shell out a jaw-dropping £600 for a round. On the flip side, those looking for a more budget-friendly option can head over to Shiskine, where fees start at just £40. But as you can imagine, with such a wide range, there’s something for everyone’s wallet.

Castlerock in Northern Ireland is making headlines with the largest increase among top courses, with a green fee that surged 41% to £225. And there’s more – in July, this fee is set to jump by a whopping 69% to £270 thanks to The Open being held nearby. Some other courses not to miss include:

  • Pennard, up 40% to £175
  • St Enodoc, up 33% to £200
  • Burnham & Berrow, up 30% to £195
  • Nairn, also up 30%, now at £300

In a rather surprising turn, North Berwick has seen an astonishing increase of 185% from £100 in 2015 to £285 now. Royal Dornoch isn’t far behind, having increased its fees by 167%, now costing players £320 compared to £120 a decade ago! Even St Andrews’ Old Course has climbed in price, now sitting at £340, which is a 6% increase from last year.

Responding to the Rising Costs

Now, you might be wondering how golfers can manage to stay on the greens without breaking the bank. Well, the St Andrews Links Trust has stepped in with a brilliant initiative aimed to provide access at greatly reduced rates for Scottish golfers. This means you could enjoy playing the legendary Old Course for under £50 during certain months! Prices include £42.50 for the Old Course, £22.50 for the Castle Course, £18.75 for the Jubilee Course, and just £9.50 for the Eden Course. Sounds like a steal!

The Bigger Picture

But let’s not ignore the bigger picture here. The increase in green fees is occurring at a rate faster than the current UK inflation rate of 2.8%, which might raise eyebrows among avid players. In fact, member subscriptions at surveyed clubs have also increased, but only by an average of 4.8%. This shows that while clubs are welcoming visitors, the costs are becoming less manageable for regulars.

There’s been quite a substantial increase in revenue reported, with visitor income in the UK golf sector hitting record highs, with clubs attracting an impressive average of over £170,000 just from green fee income. Chris Knight from The Revenue Club has pointed out that rising costs have driven an increase in green fees, tying them to the higher operational expenses that clubs face these days.

Finally, it’s worth noting that only eight courses in the country were able to maintain their summer green fees from last year, including some notable names like Ganton and Hankley Common. However, with Trump Turnberry gearing up to start charging as much as £1,000 for a round come June, it’s clear that the golf landscape is changing fast.

So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, keep your eye on those green fees because they’re on the rise! 💸

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