I have been a golf club member for most of my life, but I’ve been playing public courses more frequently in recent years since my friends fully took up the game during the Covid-19 pandemic… and it has been quite eye-opening.
I’m used to arriving at my private club with my tee time booked and high expectations of a great day, where me and my regular golfing partners will enjoy our beautifully manicured course with no worries of pace of play issues, people bothering us and a relaxed atmosphere where we know most of our fellow members and the friendly staff.
I live in the south-east of England, where golf is extremely expensive, in my opinion at least. Rounds costing £20-£25 are few and far between these days, with even what I would describe as average courses costing upwards of £35 and pushing to £50 and beyond for premium weekend times.
The sport boomed during the pandemic and the bubble still has not burst, and combined with rising costs for supplies, staff and taxes, it means clubs like my private one are even more expensive and have long waiting lists.
This also means that visitor green fees at private courses have shot up or almost completely disappeared. Want to play a nice member’s course on a weekend? Expect to pay in excess of £100.
This has allowed public courses to rightly make hay while the sun shines.
I’ll happily pay £50-£70 for a round if it’s a nice course in good…
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