We’ve been muttering about a cost of living crisis for a long time now.
Food costs more. Electricity costs more. Fuel costs more.
And so does the cost of playing the best golf courses in the UK.
That’s according to UK Golf Guy on X/Twitter, a respected course and golf travel expert.
In a study he revealed that in 2015 the average cost of a green fee on a top 20 course was £182.
That’s pretty eye-watering for many of us but 10 years later it has risen to £374.
As UK Golf Guy goes on to point out, UK inflation in that time has been 35% and yet the green fee rise was 105%.
He adds: “If green fees had gone up in line with inflation the average cost would be £246 rather than £374.”
Here are the details of those top 20 courses:
As befits a man who plays a lot of these courses and also organises trips for others to do so, UK Golf Guy has an understanding of the wider situation.
It allows him to point out a few themes that have emerged over the last 10 years.
He notes that annual fees for members are very much being subsidised at these high end clubs.
He also points out that there are fewer visitors tee times available at some clubs (so the diminishing supply is driving up prices because of scarcity).
The extra cost also accounts for “increases in cost of delivering the ‘guest experience’” and this is a crucial point – visitors are paying more but expect more. Admittedly they are high end customers but the welcome is demanded and giving it costs money.
There are also simple demands on the clubs from higher machinery and raw material costs, as well as higher staff numbers and staff costs.
A lot of these clubs have more capital projects and there’s no doubt that since lockdown there are more foreign visitors. Americans especially will pay more money, the clubs know it, they are taking advantage.
UK Golf Guy added: “These are peak summer rates. I am well aware there are cheaper (options) playing in Opens, with members, twilight, etc.”
All in all, however, it makes for fascinating, if for the average golfer rather daunting, reading.
READ MORE: St Andrews’ magnificent seven golf courses. But does it need a controversial eighth?
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