Financial pressures are increasing on golf clubs and golfers will pay for it

Like any business, golf clubs have to navigate the increasingly choppy waters of an uncertain economy and world affairs that can ultimately hit all of us in the pocket.

Searching for ways to balance the books, venues have to derive enough revenue from membership subscriptions, green fees, and other associated income sources to ensure that they can present the best possible product to golfers, both on and off the course, whether it be maintaining the playing surfaces to an acceptable standard or paying enough good staff to deliver the hospitality and service that members and visitors are entitled to expect.

But it's getting harder.

Golf Clubs Are Facing Increasing Financial Pressures

Hillier Hopkins, a leading chartered accountancy and tax advisory firm, produces an annual survey of golf clubs each year that presents a fascinating insight into how they operate - and just what it could mean for golfers themselves.

We can all relate to this feeling, but utility costs have proven to be an increasing burden on the sustainability of golf clubs in the UK.

During 2025, the survey reported that average annual utility costs increased in almost every area. At the time of the survey being published, which predated the ongoing crisis in the Middle East - and specifically the Strait of Hormuz - clubs anticipated that their energy costs would go up by 7% in the next year.

However, that's not the only concern. Wage costs for staff on the course in 2025 increased by 9% to over £300,000 for the average club who responded to the survey. Their maintenance costs rose by an even more significant 26% last season. Within clubhouses, the average staff wages increased by almost 60% from £237,000 in 2024 to £378,000 in 2025.

And this doesn't even cover the impact of business rate increases throughout England in 2026. Even last year, the rateable value of clubhouses was £147,000, significantly up from £67,000 during the previous season.

Special projects to enhance courses and clubhouses remain desired by those venues who most want to improve themselves, but doing so while staying financial solvent is a challenge for a significant number of places. That potentially explains why money spent on these improvements was expected to be reduced this year.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Costs Are Rising For Golf Club Members

Making up a shortfall either requires slashing costs or finding additional revenue and it's the latter that has impacted golfers. We have previously reported on the rising expense of a golf club membership in this article, which noted: "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%."

The financial pressures facing golf clubs - even at a time when participation and demand remains high - may also explain the ongoing resurgence of joining fees for new members, which has long been a controversial charge deployed by what is now an increasing number of clubs.

This article reports that: "It was found that 74% of these clubs in 2025 charged an entrance fee, a small increase on the 72% that was recorded in 2024. Further demonstrating the direction of traffic, an additional 6% of the surveyed clubs have plans to introduce a charge in the future."

But it's not just membership subscriptions that clubs require. Green fee income, society visits, catering and bar spending, these are all areas that venues will be seeking to build upon this season to keep their heads above water as circumstances, often outside their control, are seeing the financial tides continue to rise.

What's encouraging is that membership remains robust - especially at the clubs surveyed - and that's a strong foundation from which to find a sustainable economic balance to guarantee that courses will remain in a healthy position for many years to come.