The County Zone Golf Magazine Issue 3 | Page 33

News Membership success at Haywards Heath Golfstream sponsors Kent Golf Veterans League he introduction of Flexible membership at Haywards Heath Golf Club one year ago has proved a huge success, attracting 118 members who are now contributing to the life of the Club. Golfstream, the leading manufacturer of all-British, precisionbuilt electric golf trolleys, has become sole sponsors of the Kent Golf Veterans League. T For many years golf clubs across the UK have suffered from declining memberships and rising subscriptions. On 1st June 2013 Haywards Heath took the brave decision in an attempt to buck the trend by making golf membership affordable for those who can only play occasionally - the vast majority of golfers. Flexible is an innovative way to belong to a Golf Club through which members can enjoy virtually all the benefits at a justifiable cost. For just £390, less than a third of a full subscription, members receive golf credits on a swipe card which are deducted everytime they play. More credits are used at peak times and less at quiet times such as summer evenings. Analysing the 118 members who have joined Haywards Heath’s Flexible membership in the past year, five percent have already transferred to Full and Five-day categories ISSUE 3 The County Zone SOUTH EAST – a way of trying the Club before committing to a Full subscription. Not only has Flexible been attracting new members to the Club, it has also helped retain existing members who were on the verge of leaving. Nearly forty existing members have transferred down to Flexible, but research indicated that some 20 would have left the Club completely. Commenting on the first year of Flexible membership Club Chairman, Phil Williamson, said: “Our members recognise that the Club can no longer rely solely on the old, traditional form of membership – it is not suited to the modern lifestyle pursued by many younger and busier people. With Flexible we have developed a category of membership that has proved to be very attractive to those who can play only occasionally, particularly as it is priced low at a subscription that is justifiable. “The benefits of Flexible have been over 100 more members a