While there are issues to be addressed surrounding Open competitions, it is clear from the survey responses we received that there remains an appetite for them.
It is equally obvious that the clubs who host these events have a part to play.
The overwhelming message from more than 700 golfers is that Open competitions remain one of the most enjoyable parts of amateur golf. The conclusions to be drawn from this are that they are willing to travel, they are actively seeking new courses and new experiences, and they are willing to spend money.
Host courses have a golden opportunity to refine their Open events and make them a special experience for everybody involved by presenting their courses at their best, running the competitions effectively and finding a way to keep play moving quickly. If they can build confidence in the integrity of their event and deliver a memorable experience, then people will come back. They will also spread the word.
Confidence in Competitions Matters
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
The survey highlighted a significant gap between how golfers perceive handicap competitions and how confident they feel entering them.
More than half of respondents questioned whether the current handicap system creates a level playing field, while 51% admitted concerns over handicap manipulation have discouraged them from entering competitions.
Whether those perceptions are accurate or not, they matter.
If golfers lose confidence in the integrity of competitions, participation inevitably suffers.
Interestingly, the comments weren't dominated by calls to abandon handicaps altogether.
Instead, golfers suggested practical improvements:
- More handicap divisions.
- Greater use of gross and scratch prizes.
- Stronger handicap monitoring.
- Handicap limits for some competitions.
- Greater transparency around competition administration.
That should encourage clubs.
The conversation is not centred on dismantling handicap golf - it's about strengthening confidence in it.
Golfers Are Buying Experiences
One of the most positive findings from the survey is that golfers increasingly view Open competitions as experiences.
Only 17% believe they genuinely have a realistic chance of winning.
Yet participation remains remarkably high because golfers value far more than the final leaderboard. The inference to be drawn from this is that many of you view Open events as a chance to play other courses at a fraction of the normal cost - and that in itself is enough.
Many of the written comments reflected this mindset.
"It's all about the day."
"If I'm lucky enough to pick up a prize then happy days."
"Always very enjoyable, a chance to play new quality courses at a reasonable price."
Golfers clearly enjoy visiting new clubs, playing different layouts and experiencing competitive golf with friends, often at a fraction of what it would normally cost.
For clubs, that's an opportunity. An Open competition isn't simply a competition. It's often the first impression a visiting golfer has of your venue.
Deliver a memorable experience and today's visitor could become tomorrow's returning green fee customer, society organiser or even future member.
Speaking from personal experience, one area where host courses could and should do better is by offering tea/coffee and a bacon roll on arrival. None of us would begrudge paying a few pounds more to fund this.
Don't Ignore Your Better Golfers
Perhaps the most unexpected finding in the survey was who expressed the greatest concerns about handicap competitions.
Across every major question relating to fairness, confidence and participation, it was single-figure golfers who emerged as the least positive group.
They were the most likely to question the fairness of the handicap system, the most likely to suspect handicap manipulation, the least likely to believe they could win and the most likely to say those concerns had discouraged them from entering competitions.
That doesn't necessarily mean the system is failing.
It does suggest that one important group of golfers is losing confidence in handicap competition. Speaking as somebody who has a relatively low handicap, I have to say that I have never entered an Open with any expectation of winning. For me it is about the opportunity to play a new/different golf course with friends.
Several respondents now actively seek scratch competitions or events with handicap limits because they believe those formats provide greater confidence in the outcome.
For clubs planning future Opens, offering a broader programme - including scratch events alongside traditional handicap competitions - could help attract and retain these golfers without changing the appeal of existing events.
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