Management
By James Fairmont Most golf club committees work hard, meet regularly, and care deeply about their club. Yet despite all of that effort, many struggle to move forward in any meaningful way. The reason is not a lack of commitment. It is the absence of strategy. Golf club committees are
Humour
By Barry A. Divot He was only calling in for five minutes. Possibly ten. An hour at most. What followed was entirely unavoidable. Every golf club has at least one of them. In truth, it probably has several. They arrive with purpose, or at least the appearance of it. A
Opinion
Most clubs approach slow play as a behavioural issue, when in reality it is largely structural. The assumption is that individuals are responsible for delays, that certain players take too long, lack awareness, or simply choose not to keep pace.
Culture
The concept of a “ladies’ section” is rooted in a different era of golf. At a time when access was limited and participation was uneven, it provided structure, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.
Management
Course conditions can be assessed at a glance. Staffing issues reveal themselves quickly. Financial pressures, while sometimes complex, tend to surface in ways that demand attention.
Hospitality
Lower pricing can suggest lower quality, even when that is not the intention. It can shape expectations around service, presentation, and consistency. It can reduce the perceived value of what is being delivered, making it more difficult for the operation to justify improvements or investment.
Course
The demands placed on modern golf courses have changed. Expectations are higher, tolerance is lower, and the margin for error has narrowed considerably.
Revenue
Membership structures are often intertwined with the identity of a club, shaped over decades, and reinforced by the expectations of those who belong to it.
Management
Committees exist for a reason. They provide governance, accountability, and a connection to the membership. They ensure that decisions are not made in isolation and that the direction of the club reflects the people who use it.
Opinion
What was once familiar becomes uncertain. Simple actions require thought. Confidence drops. Frustration begins to build.
Culture
Golf clubs are full of invisible knowledge. Long-standing members understand the rhythm, the etiquette, the small but important details that govern how things operate.
Hospitality
When menus become overly ambitious, that ease begins to disappear. Service slows. Kitchens become stretched. Staff lose confidence. And the entire experience starts to feel harder than it should.