Industry confidence for 2021 is high

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A poll of more than 300 golf club managers and owners around the world has found there is significant optimism for the industry in 2021.

The Golf Operation Impact survey conducted by GolfNow finds two-thirds of respondents are ‘very optimistic’ that golf will be able to capitalise on the surge of interest and newcomers to the game.

Just over half believe that the pandemic is a new ‘silver lining’ for the game of golf, and 46 percent of respondents disagreed with the statement that the new interest in golf will be ‘short-lived’.

More than 81 percent of facilities reported that the number of rounds at their facility is up on 2019, and more than a third stated that their revenue during the summer was up by more than 25 percent year-on-year.

“We remain positive for the future and we have learned a lot in 2020,” reads a comment from one survey participant. “The golf industry will have a great year in 2021. I am convinced with the generation of 25 to 35 year-olds who have just discovered golf. Our industry will do well.”

This comes as at least three UK golf clubs were bought in late 2020, with a collective guide price of more than £5 million.

Bristol Golf Centre has been bought by a local entrepreneur with a guide price of £3 million, Radlett Park Golf Club in Hertfordshire has been acquired by a private family trust with a guide price of £1.95 million and the nine-hole Tickenham Golf Centre in Bristol has been acquired by its existing operator with a guide price of £325,000.

Meanwhile, an operator of eight Scottish golf courses has reported an overall membership increase of a staggering 43 percent in 2020 compared with 2019.

South Ayrshire Council, which runs sites such as Troon Links and Dalmilling Golf Course, says the increase in registered users contributed to 90,000 member rounds in the last year – an increase of 23,000, and this includes more than two months when the eight courses were closed due to the pandemic.

It has also taken place despite an increase to the intervals between tee times.