Golf in Scotland is sinking fast

[Chris Hughes]

Dornoch would not represent the general situation and problems providing and sustaining economical golf in the United Kingdom.


The new labour government have just put multiple daggers into the bodies of many small businesses by increasing wages, insurance contributions, business rates and employment laws. Golf Clubs will suffer and many more will close.

Bring on the robots! 😉

...and the "AI" pin-setting algorithms!!   

[Ken Moum]

I must agree with Mark, but I would also echo Adrian's point that Dornoch is in no sense representative of anything.

Apart from anything else, I am pretty certain it is the golf club that has the highest proportion of its revenue from non-members anywhere in the world.

I'm pretty sure ANGC tops them by several orders of magnitude,  but that's clearly a special case.

[Joe_Tucholski]

I'm very lucky I pulled the trigger on joining a local club in St. Andrews and got on the Links Trust Annual Ticket waitlist when I did. After getting in the local club I joined and signing up for the Links Trust Ticket it took me 7 years to get mine.  I'm hearing that waitlist is closer to 15 years long now.  I have no idea if that is true, just rumors I've heard.

Jeff I assume much longer than 15 years for folks getting on the list now IF things continue as they are.  I've been on the waitlist for 3 years and each year the number of people offered a ticket has decreased.  The last e-mail I received in June said they'd allocate 75 a year and I was 1106.  At current pace I'll be able to purchase after 18 years of waiting.  At those timelines I figure a number of people will be unavailable to purchase their ticket when their name comes up.


Local club membership also seems to be quite the wait.  New Club lists "considerable waiting lists are in place."


Another thing I noticed today is the visitor 3 and 7 day unlimited ticket options seem to be gone.  They were on the pricing list yesterday and maybe pending a 2025 price update, but I doubt it as there is now a 54 hole package with a food and beverage credit.

[Simon Barrington]

Ireland not Scotland


I have no knowledge of this club, but their comments (and lawsuit) regarding WHS Handicaps and not needing to be a Club Member to hold one are potentially interesting?


https://thegolfbusiness.co.uk/2025/02/irish-golf-club-announces-closure/

[Niall C]

Simon


That reads to me more like a business restructuring itself rather than a club closing. Certainly it doesn't appear to be a traditional club which is in charge of its own destiny. And 1,253 members is a huge amount even if many are effectively country members.


Niall

[Simon Barrington]

Simon

That reads to me more like a business restructuring itself rather than a club closing. Certainly it doesn't appear to be a traditional club which is in charge of its own destiny. And 1,253 members is a huge amount even if many are effectively country members.

Niall

Thanks
As I said, I have no knowledge beyond the article (& it's not my headline)
I found it interesting to see specific comment (& legal action!) regarding non-Member Handicapping which has come in from all the "Home" Unions under the WHS.
Does opening this mean more nomadic golfers and pressure on membership acquisition over time, especially younger golfers (who are needed by Clubs of all types to solve their demographic issues longer-term)?
I guess only time will tell, and noting this is a single example which may have other factors at play.

[Brian_Ewen]

Despite being saved by campaigners only a year ago, Dalmuir Golf Course has been placed under threat of closure once again.

The popular municipal in Clydebank, near Glasgow, was set to close as part of planned cuts by West Dunbartonshire Council until a petition appeared to stave off the danger.

But as the council faces continued financial pressure, Dalmuir has been put on the chopping block for a second time, prompting another campaign.

https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/scottish-golf-course-faces-closure-again/

[Simon Barrington]

Hollandbush GC - Better news:


https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/saved-scottish-golf-course-handed-huge-boost/

[Simon Barrington]

Not just Scotland...England too...Housing pressure...


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2025/03/02/golf-courses-under-siege-labour-affordable-housing-policy/

[Thomas Dai]

One day cities will have not just no golf courses but no green spaces. No more lungs of the city. And less lungs elsewhere too as urbanisation further expands.
Atb

[Matt Schoolfield]

One day cities will have not just no golf courses but no green spaces. No more lungs of the city. And less lungs elsewhere too as urbanisation further expands.
Atb

No reasonable person would try to convert the green space in a city they live in. In a healthy city, you'll start to see large buildings overlooking the parks and golf courses. The cities that consider building on the golf course have, in every case, made those larger buildings literally illegal to build. There are two entire generations in most of the UK and US suffering greatly because of our housing shortages born out of restrictive zoning and naivete. It's even worse in Canada.

[Marty Bonnar]

Despite being saved by campaigners only a year ago, Dalmuir Golf Course has been placed under threat of closure once again.

The popular municipal in Clydebank, near Glasgow, was set to close as part of planned cuts by West Dunbartonshire Council until a petition appeared to stave off the danger.

But as the council faces continued financial pressure, Dalmuir has been put on the chopping block for a second time, prompting another campaign.

https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/scottish-golf-course-faces-closure-again/

Well, that was a very brief stay of execution…:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rkp7pdlg5o

[Brian_Ewen]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rkp7pdlg5o

Golf course loses survival bid over funding shortfall

West Dunbartonshire Council said it could no longer afford to subsidise Dalmuir Golf Course after a decline in membership
A golf course near Glasgow that earned the support of major winners Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Rose is to close over funding issues.

West Dunbartonshire Council said it could no longer afford to subsidise Dalmuir Golf Course after a steady decline in membership.

The local authority announced the decision as part of a package to close a £7.7m funding gap, which included an 11.5% increase in council tax.

More than 3,500 people had signed a petition to keep the course open, arguing that closure would cut off a way for working class people to get involved the sport.

The council said it would explore opportunities for the course to be passed into the hands of the local community via an asset transfer.

It said it spent about £145,000 subsidising the course in the last year, equating to about £805 per member.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "Despite significant efforts, regrettably membership and usage of Dalmuir Golf Course has continued to decline.

"Our budget gap for 2025/26 was £7.7m and we expect further financial challenges in coming years so we must prioritise protection of the essential services we provide to residents including education, housing and citizen support."


Two-time US open champion DeChambeau appeared in a video posted by long-time tour caddie Craig Connelly on X.

The major winner stressed the importance a club can have in the community where Connelly lives.

A number of other world-class golfers including Rose, Paul McGinley, Luke Donald and Robert MacIntyre also gave their backing for the course to stay open.

The course was saved from closure last year and it is home to a number of clubs in the area including Clydeview Cleddans, Clydebank Overtoun, Kilbowie and Radnor golf clubs.

'Wasteland' fear

Councillors weighed up various options, including whether to increase membership costs, reduce the course to 12 holes or close it completely, before coming to a decision.

Funding for the Loch Lomond Highland Games was also removed as part of the money saving measures.

Gerry Smith, who launched the petition for the course to remain open, said prior to the decision that a community asset transfer would be looked at for the course - which would let the local community take it over.

Craig McLaren, of Clydebank and Overtoun Golf Club, said locals feared the area could become a "wasteland" if it closed.

He added that the course had "gone downhill" in recent years and that West Dunbartonshire Council had not managed to do minor tasks such as updating the course's website with correct information.

[Brian_Ewen]

Private investors take control of famous Scottish golf club hit by funding woes
Plans could see financiers remain in charge of prized public asset until 22nd century
Martyn McLaughlin
Published 17th Mar 2025


One of Scotland’s most prized sporting venues could be controlled by a group of private investors for the next century amid controversial plans to secure an injection of capital and transform it into a “world leading” tourism destination.

The historic Carnoustie golf links, which has been held in public ownership since the 19th century, is now being run on a day-to-day basis by a little known consortium of financiers as part of efforts to expedite the return of golf’s prestigious Open Championship.

Amid doubts over Carnoustie’s long-term future as a top-class venue and a lack of funds to make major improvements to on-site facilities, Angus Council, the cash-strapped owner of the links, has approved a short-term deal to hand control of the complex of three courses to a private company, Carnoustie Golf Heritage and Hospitality Group Limited (CGHH), arguing the existing model is “not financially sustainable.”

But talks on a longer-term deal are at an advanced stage, and could see CGHH manage and operate the courses until well into the 22nd century, raising concerns that one of the jewels in the crown of Scottish golf is essentially being privatised. Some critics have expressed concern the venue could ultimately fall into the hands of other parties, such as Saudi Arabia, or even US president Donald Trump.

The changes at Carnoustie, detailed as part of Scorecard: The Business of Golf, a week-long series by The Scotsman scrutinising the financial side of the game in Scotland, mean that as well as bearing responsibility for the costs of running the links, CGHH is also receiving all the income from them.

Under the terms of that seven-figure deal, Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC), a charitable company that has managed the courses for years, and which drew up the new proposals, has sold its intellectual property rights, including the ‘Carnoustie golf links’ trademark, to CGHH, with all its assets and staff transferring to the private firm.

The arrangement runs until 2033. But in what would amount to the biggest shake-up at the venue in living memory, the investors want a new, long-term lease to run until 2123.

[Niall C]

The arrangement runs until 2033. But in what would amount to the biggest shake-up at the venue in living memory, the investors want a new, long-term lease to run until 2123.

I'll bet they do ! Is there anything more uncommercial than a public authority ?


I'd love to compare the development costs of somewhere like Castle Stuart to what these investors are paying for taking over 3 links courses, one of which held the Open not so long ago, and a modern fairly high spec visitor clubhouse. Oh yes, and they get all the branding thrown in.


Niall

[Joe_Tucholski]

I'm very lucky I pulled the trigger on joining a local club in St. Andrews and got on the Links Trust Annual Ticket waitlist when I did. After getting in the local club I joined and signing up for the Links Trust Ticket it took me 7 years to get mine.  I'm hearing that waitlist is closer to 15 years long now.  I have no idea if that is true, just rumors I've heard.

Jeff I assume much longer than 15 years for folks getting on the list now IF things continue as they are.  I've been on the waitlist for 3 years and each year the number of people offered a ticket has decreased.  The last e-mail I received in June said they'd allocate 75 a year and I was 1106.  At current pace I'll be able to purchase after 18 years of waiting.  At those timelines I figure a number of people will be unavailable to purchase their ticket when their name comes up.


Local club membership also seems to be quite the wait.  New Club lists "considerable waiting lists are in place."


Another thing I noticed today is the visitor 3 and 7 day unlimited ticket options seem to be gone.  They were on the pricing list yesterday and maybe pending a 2025 price update, but I doubt it as there is now a 54 hole package with a food and beverage credit.

Received an e-mail with my links ticket wait list status (no change with more than that behind me).  No new tickets released for the 25/26 season.  Reasons given are unprecedented demand and increased rounds on all courses. 

The e-mail mentioned they engaged the help of an independent research firm to generate a survey.  The survey contained questions about demographics and potential changes in types of tickets.

The potential options included: discounted green fee each time you play, a ticket that offers 2-3 course access, a ticket with fixed number of rounds, making some courses links ticket only, seasonal tickets (winter/summer), family access and points based system (you get a certain number of points and playing a course like the old uses more points than playing strathtyrum).

Is there any way the independent research firm does not recommend increasing prices?

Pretty different reality from a club I'm looking at joining less than 30 miles away where they state they created an international membership to generate capital to invest in greens machinery.

For some reason the financial differences of the two relatively close courses initially surprised me.  If I'm being honest I'm realizing I'm very likely the reason the problem exists.  I originally thought a links ticket was economical as the annual fee is lower than a couple rounds.  I'm now wondering if I want to be a links ticket holder because of the quality of the courses or due to an ego boost I'd get from saying I have a links ticket?

Hopefully the lower priced courses survive when the realities return to those discussed in the initial post made in 2017.

[Brian_Ewen]

Scotland's National Game Is Golf. Rich Americans Are Changing It


https://archive.is/IyF6U#selection-1181.0-1181.64

[Matt Schoolfield]

Scotland's National Game Is Golf. Rich Americans Are Changing It

https://archive.is/IyF6U#selection-1181.0-1181.64

This story seems genuinely bizarre. I'm not trying to make light of it, it just confuses me. There is a problem, and that problem is that golf is getting too expensive in Scotland because of Americans (sorry). At the same time, it's really a problem because all the Americans are all going to too few courses. So, there's a bunch of courses that want to charge Americans to come, but can't raise their prices without upsetting locals. At the same time, courses are starting to close because not enough people are playing and costs are going up.

Is there a housing crisis in Scotland by any chance? The whole article feels a lot like the NIMBY talking points in SF a decade ago. Everything is too expensive because of rich outsiders, while at the same time, there are a bunch of places that can barely get by because of increasing costs, even with all the new money coming in.

I realize this is all quite serious. Again, I’m not trying to wave away American tourists making many destination courses absurdly expensive.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Maybe I read it differently. The top clubs attract high paying visitors from the US. These smaller clubs struggle to survive on a small green fee income and member subscriptions. If the American visitors played more of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. tier courses, the extra income would greatly help. It does not necessarily imply that smaller clubs need to raise their green fee rate; it would just result in more booked tee-times and some extra income.


It would be nice if the more prosperous clubs offered packages that included playing some of the less well off clubs. The US visitors might not even play them, but the clubs themselves might get a tiny slice of the pie.


I don't think that if the US visitors visited lower tier courses, that the high rates charged by the top courses would decrease.

[Niall C]

Not a lot to argue with, the headline is essentially correct. It's not the fault of the "rich Americans" but their seeming willingness to pay whatever it takes has meant the leading clubs have been able to hike the greenfees dramatically. That and the more "professional" approach of the new breed of club managers who treat the club like a business in their pursuit of revenue.


Niall 

[Mark Pearce]

Again, I’m not trying to wave away American tourists making many destination courses absurdly expensive.

It's not the American tourists that make destination courses absurdly expensive.  It's the greed of those courses in setting the fees where they do.  That wouldn't happen if there weren't enough people willing to pay those prices but it isn't a necessary consequence.

[Thomas Dai]

Given the thread about no love for par-69’s in the US running at the moment maybe if UK courses all converted to par-69’s it would reduce the number of tourists!!!
Apologies, couldn’t resist
Atb

[Wayne_Kozun]

This article has an unusual definition of a handful.  It says "The problem is that only a handful of courses are on the tourist’s play list as advertised by international vacation firms"
But then it shows that 24% of clubs earn 51% or more of their revenue from visitors.  Given that the article states that there are 550 courses in Scotland then that means that about 130 courses are earning more than half of their revenue from visitors.  But saying that dozens of courses are getting half of their revenue from visitors doesn't make a great headline.
The article also doesn't discuss how the second tier courses in Scotland have become Veblen goods where the demand for them has increased as the price was raised.  Many courses have found that charging greens fees of over 100GBP makes the courses more attractive to visiting Americans as they must be better than a course that only charges 30GBP.

[David_Tepper]

Nice to see Tain GC and Stuart Morrison get some mention in that article. Stuart is a great guy and Tain plays much, much better since a lot of the gorse has been cut back/removed.

[Matt Schoolfield]

Maybe I read it differently. The top clubs attract high paying visitors from the US. These smaller clubs struggle to survive on a small green fee income and member subscriptions. If the American visitors played more of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. tier courses, the extra income would greatly help. It does not necessarily imply that smaller clubs need to raise their green fee rate; it would just result in more booked tee-times and some extra income.


It would be nice if the more prosperous clubs offered packages that included playing some of the less well off clubs. The US visitors might not even play them, but the clubs themselves might get a tiny slice of the pie.


I don't think that if the US visitors visited lower tier courses, that the high rates charged by the top courses would decrease.

Right, my point is that if the smaller clubs are struggling now, but didn't use to struggle, then something has changed. What changed? The external income can't be the determining factor for whether or not they are surviving, because again, the external income is new, and is a boon for those who are receiving it.

It's not the American tourists that make destination courses absurdly expensive.  It's the greed of those courses in setting the fees where they do.  That wouldn't happen if there weren't enough people willing to pay those prices but it isn't a necessary consequence.

I mean, this view seems to reject the basic principles of supply and demand. I suspect that if the clubs didn't charge as much, you'd just get even more tourists chasing even fewer tee times.

But then it shows that 24% of clubs earn 51% or more of their revenue from visitors. 

I suspect this is likely the real issue. Those are scary numbers. It still doesn't explain why clubs are so dependent on outside income, but it at least provides a narrative that makes sense.

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