Study reveals stark unsatisfaction levels among club golfers

A new study has revealed that an alarming number of club golfers aren’t happy.

Why? Well, a staggering 78% are unsatisifed with the year-round condition of their home course.

It’s according to Carr Golf, Ireland’s leading golf course services company.

The eye-opening findings come as golf club owners and managers struggle to match golfers’ rising expectations for top playing experiences.

The survey – which set out to compare golfers’ experiences and expectations – found that 90% of respondents identified the course as the key element of their club experience.

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Of those who play golf at least once a week, three areas of their home course take priority: bunkers, tees and fairways.

It shows that 68% highlighted bunkers as the area most in need of improvement, with tees (60%) and fairways (42%) just behind.

Smooth greens (93%) are the most important course characteristic to club golfers, while the visual appeal (67%) and level tees (62%) ranked highly.

Carr Golf says the results reflect feedback trends from management teams at the 22 venues it manages course maintenance.

Managing Director Ed Pettit said: “These findings confirm the high levels of post-COVID customer expectations reported by course managers.

“It also underscores the fundamental role of the golf course experience in member satisfaction.

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“Golf course businesses must prioritise their most prized asset to mitigate potential threats and achieve long-term stability.

“However, prolonged inflation, ever-more stringent regulations, labour shortages, and unpredictable weather make it increasingly difficult to maintain the same level of conditioning year-on-year.”

The results come after two Scottish golf courses have been forced to close within the last week.

Torrance Park, in Motherwell, confirmed: “For a significant period of time, the Torrance Park Golf Club has been experiencing challenges to being able to run as a profitable business.”

Meanwhile, the Hirsel Golf Club, in the Borders, announced it closed after filing for bankruptcy.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.