Are you paying too much for a golf club membership?

Golf club memberships remain the traditional foundation that the game is built upon. They are the financial lifeblood of venues around the country, and they're still the most common pathway for the keenest of golfers to engage with the sport. 

The nomadic golfing lifestyle has its upsides for many people, while the rise of flexible memberships could point to a future direction for the industry, but for those who play regularly, enjoy competition, and value a sense of community, there is nothing else quite like being the member of a golf club.

However, seemingly like everything else these days, it's an increasingly expensive choice to make. This is especially true of those who pay subscriptions to more prestigious clubs in certain regions, but the reality is that we're all paying more than we used to.

But why have golf club memberships become more costly - and when is someone paying too much?

Hillier Hopkins, a leading chartered accountant firm, has just revealed its latest fascinating and illuminating Golf Club Survey Report, which provides rich insights into the operations of golf clubs, their revenue and expenditure, and show us what demands are placed on those who are members of these institutions.

They surveyed 79 members' clubs across ten regions in the UK, with 28% of those venues being located in London and the South East of England, covering a wide spectrum to give a fairly complete picture of the current state of things.

Demonstrating that demand for membership is significant, 63% of the golf clubs surveyed had 600+ members, while there was a 53% increase in the percentage of members’ clubs who currently have a waiting list, showing that a rising number are considered to be at capacity.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

What is The Average Cost of a Golf Club Membership?

If you're a golf club member, how much do you pay, and if you're not currently one, what would you be willing to part with to become a member?

There are substantial geographical and financial differences within the surveyed clubs across the country, but the costs are universally rising as all members’ clubs surveyed are planning to increase subscription fees. The levels of planned increases range from 2% to 10%, with an average of 5%.

Joining fees are an additional expense that are certainly viewed as controversial by some, but they are once more becoming more of a factor in the game. 

The proportion of members’ clubs requiring a joining fee continues to rise, reaching 74% in 2025, compared to 72% in 2024. An additional 6% of clubs are intending to introduce a charge in the future. Joining fees range from £140 to £9,300, with an average fee of £2,350 - a substantial increase from the £1,830 in 2024.

But how much does the average membership cost? The fees collected within the survey ranged from £200 to £3,870, with the average for member's clubs being £1,760. 

Most clubs, the middle 50% of those surveyed, ranged between £1,270 and £2,260.

Why Are Golf Club Memberships Becoming More Expensive?

Ultimately, golf clubs haven't consistently raised prices in recent years purely out of greed, but rather necessity, as operational costs have spiralled.

The energy hikes we've all experienced have impacted clubs too. It's also becoming more expensive to employ people. The average clubhouse staff wages among members’ clubs increased by almost 60% from £237,000 in 2024 to £378,000 in 2025.

Golf clubs and venues in England are also set to experience a dramatic increase in business rate in 2026, which is a burden that will surely be directed back to the consumer, which in this case are members, and visitors paying higher green fees.

Addressing the topic of whether increased membership subscriptions can be justified, Golfshake's Derek Clements recently wrote: "I believe that if clubs are honest with their members and tell them exactly where money is being spent then they will largely win support. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

"Many of us are prepared to splurge £500 on a new driver or £1,000+ on a set of irons. It strikes me that being asked to fork our around £1,200 for a year’s golf still represents pretty good value for money."

Everyone has to make budgetary choices when it comes to how they spend their income, and it's true that for many golfers, the environment of a traditional membership is perfect if they use it regularly and maximise the opportunities it offers.

But the game needs to be careful not to price out those who are more on the periphery, those golfers who are arguably suited towards a nomadic existence.

That said, having seen what some golfers have to pay, especially those in and around London, you might feel that you're getting a better deal at your golf club than you had previously thought.