As the weather turns and the mercury drops, many golfers in this country choose to put the clubs away until spring. But an increasing number continue to hit the fairways in the “off-season” and play winter golf. Do more golf clubs need to take note of this and start to offer a competitive winter programme?
Yes says Fergus Bisset
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, we’re more inclined to consider our expenditures and whether we’re receiving value for money from them. The golf club membership subscription is a major outlay for most of us and one that could, oh so easily, be ditched. As such, clubs must look at every element of their offering to ensure they are providing value for money.
A competitive season that covers just seven months of the year doesn’t tally with that objective. Golf clubs should organise competitive golf through the winter. There’s no obligation for individual members to play competitively through the colder weather, there’s no obligation for them to play at all! But there should be opportunities for those who would like to remain competitive from November to March.
Traditionally, many clubs (particularly those in more northern parts of the country) have battened down the hatches at the first hint of winter and gone into hibernation. But changing weathers and changing expectations demand that more is provided for the money that continues to flow from members’ pockets into the club’s coffers.
As the climate warms, it’s often possible to play sensible golf on the full course for longer at the end of the season. But many clubs’ competitive calendars have closed by then. They should review them.
Admittedly, course condition, temporary greens or the use of mats sometimes make it impossible for rounds to be “handicap counting.” But this doesn’t prevent clubs from running winter leagues, weekend “sweepers” and various winter knockout tournaments. By organising competitive events through the winter, the bar takes more money, members have a chance to socialise, and the club generally remains lively.
If members wish to keep trying to play through the more challenging months, golf clubs owe it to them to keep trying to offer them events to take part in.
No says Jeremy Ellwood
Or do we just stick to social golf?
(Image credit: Kevin Murray)
The world turns in clearly defined seasons, doesn’t it? ‘A time to plant, a time to reap’ as the lyrics of The Byrds’ Turn! Turn! Turn! say.
And so it should be with…
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