news
Report: major challenges
ahead for clubs
OWN THE
SECOND
SHOT
KEY FINDINGS
T
he ongoing health of Australian
golf clubs is the focus of a new
report released by Golf Australia
and Golf Management Australia.
The 2013 National Golf Participation
Report, which replaces the previous
Annual Golf Census, has identified
clear trends in the areas of club
membership, golf participation and
club financial viability.
Among the report’s key findings
were:
• There were 1.18 million Australians
who played at least one round of
golf during the year. Two out of every
three of those players were not club
golfers and play social golf instead.
• There were 398,804 golf club
members last year with 60 per cent of
that club membership base aged 55
years and over.
• Female members made up 21 per
cent of the total membership base.
• There was a 1.6% decline in club
playing members.
• 18 per cent of clubs reported
membership growth of more than 10
per cent in 2013.
• Five per cent of club members are
juniors.
• 51% of Australian clubs have less
than 100 members.
• 50% of clubs are under financial
duress.
Golf Australia Golf Development
Director Cameron Wade said the
report clearly defined some of
the challenges golf clubs face in
a changing sporting membership
environment.
“Despite a 6 per cent overall decline
in club membership since 2010,
approximately 10 per cent of golf
clubs have experienced a net increase
in membership in the last 12 month
period,” Wade said.
“The good news is that there
is clearly a healthy level of new
demand for the golf club product.
We recognise that there is a current
attrition rate but we are committed to
working with all clubs towards them
enjoying the operational benefits
and improved financial positions
that come with increasing levels of
membership demand.”
KEY FINDINGS
60%
19.5 & 31.0
1.18m
total golfers
average male and female
handicaps at year end 2013
in Australia
19.5 & 31.0
proportion of the national club
membership base aged 55 average male and female
handicaps at year end 2013
years or greater
13
1.18m
total golfers
1
24.73m
rounds were played within
the club environment in 2013
in Australia
24.73m
60%
2 rounds were played within
12
proportion of the national club
the club environment in 2013
2 out non club
of 3
membership base aged 55
1
13
years
golfers are
50% or greater
golfers, playing socially
approximate % of clubs
11 12
2 3
under financial distress
13 KEY FINDINGS
2 out non club
of 3
golfers are
50% clubs
ABOUT THE
approximate % of
11
3 golfers, playing socially
GOLF INDUSTRY
under financial distress
398,804
51%
4
10
13 KEY FINDINGS
playing members for
IN AUSTRALIA FOR
of Australian clubs less
than 100 members in size
ABOUT 2013
THE YEAR THE
year 2013
with the #1 Hybrid on Tour.
#OwnTheSecondShot
GOLF INDUSTRY
398,804
51%
10
playing members for
IN AUSTRALIA FOR
of Australian clubs less
9
54
year 2013
than 100 members in size
THE YEAR 2013
5%
1.6%
of club members
decline in playing
6 5 members in 2013
are juniors
9 8
7
5%
1.6%
of club members
decline
21%of 8
6 0.3%membersininplaying
are juniors
2013
female share
increase in playing members
7
membership base
in all metropolitan areas
18%
clubs that
21% membershipreportedof increase0.3%
growth
female share of
in playing members
more than 10%
membership base
in all metropolitan areas
18%
clubs that reported
The rate of participation in the
15-24 and 25-34 age groups has
experi