Results are in from The Herald Scottish Golf Survey
Some surprising findings have been uncovered in the first-ever Herald Scottish Golf Survey, with custodians of the country's courses sharing their views on finances, governance, the challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead.
More than 90 captains, club secretaries and managers representing 116 courses throughout the country took part in the survey, accounting for 1,880 holes of golf. Their facilities range from small rural clubs through to some of the biggest names in the game.
The received wisdom is golf, and golf clubs in particular, were in a general state of decline before the pandemic with a 20% reduction in membership levels during the 20 years prior. Then along came the 'Covid bounce' when golf was among the first activities allowed during the lockdown period, rekindling the game's popularity and reviving the financial fortunes of its clubs and facilities.
Our survey shows that while this has undoubtedly been the case for some, the broader situation is not as clearcut as that narrative suggests.
Tomorrow's big read in Business HQ Monthly delves into the numbers with plenty of graphics for a quick reference guide. We also speak to the secretary of a small community club about the challenges it is up against and what has been done to try and overcome those difficulties.
Read more:
It marks the start of a three-day series that will be followed on Friday by the survey findings on clubs' opinions of governing body Scottish Golf, and the potential financial impact of implementing a 'one player, one fee' system in the collection of affiliation payments to Scottish Golf.
OpenPlay, the flexible subscription for non-club members to obtain an official handicap, comes under the microscope on Saturday and we also speak to some clubs that are working together to improve their financial fortunes.
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The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Open to abuse? Scottish golf clubs weigh in on OpenPlay
Scottish Golf and other national governing bodies that operate similar schemes say the aim is to keep independent players in the golfing fold and perhaps ultimately guide them back into club membership. Some club officials taking part in The Herald Scottish Golf Survey maintain that it cheapens the game and is detrimental to their finances. Independent golfers who are not a member of a club make up the majority of players in the UK. Golf club membership in Scotland currently hovers around 210,000, including junior players, while the number of those not affiliated to a club has been estimated at roughly 500,000. To date, OpenPlay has attracted about 4,800 members. 'My personal view is that I'm not really that fussed about it," said Douglas Slater, lead coach and junior section coordinator at Stromness Golf Club in Orkney. "If it gets folk playing golf, that's mainly my aim and has been my aim for years. "But I know that in the rural clubs and the island clubs, we are keen to have paying members. For folk to come and play in our opens [who don't] belong to a club, OpenPlay isn't really the angle that we want to look at, simply because we want them to pay their membership same as everyone else pays their membership.' Others are more categorical in their scepticism. "We are in the firm belief that it is detrimental to the state of golf clubs," a spokesperson for Insch Golf Club in Aberdeenshire told The Herald. Read more: "From [Scottish Golf's] perspective, they feel like they are keeping players in the golfing system that can't commit to a full membership and we appreciate that, but we feel there is room for it to be amended. Maybe a limit of two years, after which you have to join a club. "An entry point into the world of golf is OK, but there's no limits on anything at the moment." Graeme Jolly, immediate past captain and committee member at Milngavie Golf Club in East Dunbartonshire, said he personally believes Scottish Golf is generally doing a good job but the "bugbear" is OpenPlay which "conflicts directly with club membership, offering people the chance to play our golf courses without making any kind of major contribution to the upkeep". "They're not committed to joining any club in the future and in the meanwhile they're getting good access to golf clubs," Mr Jolly said. "If they weren't able to play for handicaps that might be slightly different, but the fact they can rock up and put in a general play score and submit that to Scottish Golf towards their handicap, that's a downside for us because there is no incentive for them to go and join a golf club - none whatsoever." Some says there is 'no incentive' for OpenPlay members to join a golf club (Image: Pixabay) Scottish Golf chief executive Robbie Clyde said the governing body provides OpenPlay members with information on offers for golf club membership in their area. This contributed towards 17% of OpenPlay golfers in Scotland transferring into club membership last year. "There are golfers out there who because of their personal circumstances – their life circumstances, their financial circumstances, their job, their career, their family – they are not able to be a member of a golf club, or they choose not to be because perhaps it's not affordable, or perhaps they don't have the time to justify being a member of a golf club," he said. "Perhaps they travel a huge amount, or perhaps they don't live in the same location for 10 or 15 or 20 years, and therefore to become a member of a golf club is just not for them at that point in their life.' He added: "OpenPlay is one of the best tools that we have to ensure we maintain regular contact and provide support to golfers for whom club membership is not right at this point in time." Members of both traditional golf clubs and OpenPlay can submit "general play" scores from rounds that are not part of an organised competition to contribute towards their handicap under the World Handicap System (WHS), provided they adhere to WHS requirements. Read more: This is done through an app by pre-registering their intention to submit a score which can be entered a few hours later after the round is completed. This score must be verified by another player with a WHS handicap and submitted while within close proximity to the golf course. The flexibility of submitting general play scores and the casual nature of the monthly membership option within OpenPlay has given rise to concerns in some quarters that the system is being manipulated by a minority of independent golfers who maintain an artificially high handicap to improve their chances of winning prizes, often vouchers of £100 or so, when entering "open" competitions hosted by many clubs on an annual basis. To counteract this and related concerns, some clubs have taken matters into their own hand. Insch and others charge OpenPlay members a green fee in addition to the open competition entry fee; at Clydebank & District, match secretary John Stirling said the club does not allow OpenPlay members to enter its competitions. Asked about this, Mr Clyde at Scottish Golf said there are a "lot of myths out there" and he had yet to hear of "a single actual example" of any player cheating at an open competition "just to win prizes". Read more: "If that is the case and clubs [know it], then they should let us know and we will look at the handicap record and scoring record of that individual," he said. "If we can see that we think there has been manipulation we will deal with it, as any club should do.' Mr Clyde added that Scottish Golf would ultimately prefer all members of clubs, including OpenPlay, be treated equally but if some choose to ask for additional fees "we don't have an issue with that". However, he pointed out that the potential for manipulating the WHS general play submission system is not limited to OpenPlay members. 'Any club golfer could do exactly the same thing – there's no difference between an OpenPlay member and any other club golfer, and any sort of inference that an OpenPlay member would be more inclined to do that than any other club golfer is incorrect," he said.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
Scottish golf round up: Woodhouse win, Junior Jug joy and Jack Nicklaus honour
All the latest from tournaments involving Scottish golfers from Martin Dempster Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The golf season is now in full swing and here is our latest round up of grass-roots stories around Scotland. Susan Woodhouse wins Scottish Women's Amateur Championship A year after winning the consolation event, East Kilbride's Susan Woodhouse landed the main prize in this season's Scottish Women's Amateur Championship. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Being played for the first time at Western Gailes, Woodhouse claimed the crown in style by holing a ten-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to beat Royal Troon's Freya Russell in the final. It was the second year running that Russell suffered heartbreak in the title decider after losing to Lorna McClymont in the 2024 final at Nairn Dunbar. East Kilbride's Susan Woodhouse shows off the trophy along with her dad Douglas after winning the 2025 Scottish Women's Amateur at Western Gailes | Chris Young/Scottish Golf Woodhouse won the Clark Rosebowl, which is for players finishing in positions 17-32 in the stroke-play qualifying, in that event, but, with her dad Douglas on the bag, is now the national women's champion. 'My dad did great for me this week,' said Woodhouse. 'It's good to bounce things off him – the wind, the yardage. I wouldn't believe his club choice but at least it's good to get his opinion or someone to say 'yep, that's good'". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This year's Clark Rosebowl winner was Ladybank's Eilidh Henderson, who claimed the prize for a second time after beating former St Rule Trophy winner Jen Saxton (Dunfermline) in the final. Elliot Baker shows off the trophy after winning the Scottish Men's Open at North Berwick | Scottish Golf Host club member Mike Gray shines in Scottish Men's Open Host club member Mike Gray outshone the top home players in the field at North Berwick as Eliot Baker became the latest English winner of the Scottish Men's Open. Carding rounds of 67-66-64-67 for an impressive 20-under-par total, Tiverton member Baker landed the coveted title by seven shots as he joined an illustrious list of English players to put his name on the trophy. Tommy Fleetwood used a win at Murcar Links in 2009 as a springboard to become a multiple DP World Tour winner and Ryder Cup star while Andy Sullivan (2011) and Marc Penge (2015) also claimed the crown before going on to become DP World Tour champions as well. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To win a trophy with those other names on it is brilliant,' said Baker, who also won the Portuguese Amateur Championship earlier this year. 'Looking at what they've done, I hope I can go on and somewhat replicate that.' Gray, the North Berwick champion, posted scores of 70-70-66-71 as he finished as the leading Scot along with Glenbervie's George Cannon in a tie for seventh spot. Paul Lawrie presents the Boys' Junior Jug to winner Finlay Galloway at Newmachar | Paul Lawrie Foundation Junior Jug joy for Finlay Galloway and Hannah Ounap St Andrews New member Finlay Galloway and Loudoun's Hannah Ounap were the respective boys' and girls' winners in this year's Paul Lawrie Foundation Junior Jug event at Newmachar. Played on both the Hawkshill and Swailend Courses at the Aberdeenshire venue, Galloway carded scores of 67-65-71 to win by ten shots with an eye-catching 13-under-par total. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Craigielaw's Fraser Walters, the 2024 winner, had to settle for second spot on this occasion following efforts of 72-71-70, with Nairn's Fraser Brown (68-70-76) a further shot back in third place. Meanwhile, Ounap came out on top in a more-closely contested girls' event played over 36 holes. Posting rounds of 76-73, she won by two shots from Royal Troon's Jodie Graham (76-75), with Erin Huskie of Stirling one further back in third after signing for 75-77. With Paul Lawrie, as ever, out watching, Harvey Allan from St Andrews and Deeside's Amy Blackadder were the respective winners in the net events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad David Paterson won the latest Golfbreaks Get Back to Golf Tour event at Leven Links | Contributed Amateur dramatics on Golfbreaks Get Back to Golf Tour It was an amateur 1-2-3 at the third event of the season on the Golfbreaks Get Back to Golf Tour at Longniddry. Leven Golf Society amateur David Paterson won the tournament with a level-par 68 in blustery conditions in East Lothian, pipping fellow amateur Cameron Fraser (Baberton) by a shot, with Malcolm Pennycott (Royal Burgess) a shot further back in third. Pennycott's effort took him to the top of the Golf Finance Ltd Order of Merit, sitting eight points ahead of professional Dan Toogood of Myrus Golf Centre. The leading 12 players from the OOM will battle it out to be the tour's champion at Dumbarnie Links in October. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SWAT commissioner Alan Tait pictured with Dalmahoy winners Melissa Keay, far left, and Jacqueline Moriarty | Contributed Dalmahoy delight for Melissa Keay and Jacqueline Moriarty The fifth event of the season on the new Golfbreaks Scottish Women's Amateur Tour was played at Dalmahoy, with players from all over Scotland teeing it up in the 36-hole tournament. Ralston 16-year-old Melissa Keay won the scratch section with a two-over-par total of 146 over both the East Championship Course and West Course at the Kirknewton venue. Kelso's Leanne Wilson, who finished seven shots behind in second place, remains in top spot in the scratch order of merit. In the net category, Lochend's Jacqueline Moriarty took the honours, mainly due to a five-under 64 in the second round, to win by one from clubmate Amanda McBain and Abigail Pickett of Craigielaw. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The leading players from both points tables will tee it up in the Tomatin Tour Championship Final at Cabot Highlands Castle Stuart in September. St Andrews golf pioneer Allan Robertson is to be honoured at next year's Memorial Tournament, which is hosted by Jack Nicklaus in his home city in Ohio | Getty Images Jack Nicklaus to honour St Andrews golf pioneer Allan Robertson, the St Andrews golf pioneer, is to be honoured next year by Jack Nicklaus during the Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour. Robertson, who recently had a plaque unveiled in St Andrews close to the 18th green on the Old Course, will receive a posthumous honour during the 50th anniversary of the event in Nicklaus's home city of Columbus, Ohio. 'Allan was the Champion Golfer for 19 years from 1840 and was an exceptional golfer,' said Roger McStravick, a St Andrews-based golf historian who Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad recently published a book that covers Robertson's life, Allan Robertson of St Andrews, the King of Clubs, 1815-1859. 'You could say that he was the Jack Nicklaus of his day, so it is very appropriate that this award should come from Jack's event in America. This is a truly wonderful and richly deserved honour indeed.' Royal Dornoch general manager Neil Hampton, left, and captain Gary Bethune with the special pin flags which will be sent to Donald Ross-designed courses in North America which are celebrating their centenaries | Contributed Donald Ross pin flags set to fly at centenary-celebrating US clubs Royal Dornoch is partnering with the US-based Donald Ross Society to celebrate the Highlander's key role in spreading the golfing gospel. Dornoch-born Ross was 'keeper of the greens' and his hometown club's first professional before being lured across the Atlantic. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He is credited with creating 456 courses in North America, including his masterpiece, Pinehurst No2, regarded as 'The St Andrews of American golf' and an anchor site of the US Open. The Championship Course, which is counting down to its 150th anniversary in 2027, influenced Ross hugely and that was reflected in many of his designs during a 'Golden Age' for golf course architecture. To strengthen ties between a course rated among the finest links in world golf and Dornoch-born Ross courses in the US and Canada celebrating their centenaries, Royal Dornoch is dispatching commemorative pin flags. Club general manager Neil Hampton said: 'When Donald Ross Society president Vaughn Halyard visited us last year, we discussed potential ways we could celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Donald Ross and celebrate one of the most influential figures in golf. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Ross is among a select band of legendary golf course architects along with the likes of Old Tom Morris - who shaped many of the holes at Royal Dornoch - James Braid and Alister MacKenzie, although his work was concentrated on the other side of the Atlantic. 'Many of our American visitors make tracks for his childhood home in St Gilbert Street during their stay and Vaughn was no exception on his latest visit. We have been liaising with the Donald Ross Society and they have identified clubs celebrating their centenaries this year in Florida, Michigan, Massachusetts and North Carolina. 'Each of them will be receiving a Royal Dornoch pin flag to display in their clubhouse, and we plan to catch up with those clubs which have already toasted their 100th anniversary.' Milwaukee based Halyard added: 'We are thrilled to be working in tandem with Royal Dornoch, where it all began for Donald Ross. 'Along with the Royal Dornoch pin flags, the Society is coordinating the delivery of Ross Centennial plaques. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Survey reveals mixed bag for Scotland's golf courses
The received wisdom is golf, and golf clubs in particular, were in a general state of decline before the pandemic with a 20% reduction in membership levels during the 20 years prior. Then along came the 'Covid bounce' when golf was among the first activities allowed during the lockdown period, rekindling the game's popularity and reviving financial fortunes. Our survey shows, while this has undoubtedly been the case for some, the broader situation is not as clearcut as that narrative suggests. Some report they were managing well up to 2020 but have since been undone by the inflationary surge of the cost-of-living crisis, which has outweighed any gain in membership numbers. Others that were previously struggling are, unsurprisingly, continuing to have a tough time. Those with waiting lists and larger memberships have tended to fare better throughout, but there is a sprinkling of high-profile facilities and clubs in wellheeled areas who say their finances are not as strong as many outsiders might have guessed. Read more: Today's big read in Business HQ Monthly delves into the numbers. We also speak to the secretary of a small community club about the challenges it is up against and what has been done to try and overcome those difficulties. It marks the start of a three-day series that will be followed tomorrow by the findings from the survey on clubs' opinions of governing body Scottish Golf, and the potential financial impact of implementing a 'one player, one fee' system in the collection of affiliation payments to Scottish Golf. OpenPlay, the flexible subscription for non-club members to obtain an official handicap, comes under the microscope on Saturday and we also speak to some clubs that are working together to improve their financial fortunes. Read more: Buoyed by unseasonably warm and sunny weather, there was a boom this past spring in the number of people playing golf across the country. Christopher Spencer, who heads up the Scottish arm of the Club Management Association of Europe, believes this could translate into a boost for the entire sector in 2025. 'More and more people are out playing golf because the weather has been great, which is fabulous for golf clubs because hopefully they will then use the facilities as well, rather than just turning up to play golf,' he said. 'So let's hope we have a really good summer – not too dry, we could do with a little rain to encourage growth – but fingers crossed it will be a really good year all around.'
