The idea that traditional golf club membership is changing is nothing new. In my time at Golf Monthly, I can think back to many conversations and subsequent articles about the rise of casual, pay-to-play golf at the expense of the more traditional membership offering. Indeed, there are now plenty of examples of golf venues across the UK that are thriving by embracing a different approach. However, it seems to me as if the pace of change might be about to accelerate.
The post-Covid boom in golf brought a younger and more diverse generation of players into the sport. This has given rise to a sustained growth in the number of rounds being played. At the end of 2025, England Golf reported a 16% rise in the number of scores submitted via WHS versus the previous year.
