Golf clubs warned: Offer more than just 18 holes or lose players

Golf Club Managers’ Association chief executive Tom Brooke explains why shorter and fresher formats are vital to keep people from switching to other sports Golf needs to change. That’s certainly not the first time it’s been said and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last! You can now walk into a clubhouse in jeans. You can have a flexible membership. You can even gain an official handicap without being a member of a club. But if the only game that’s being offered is 18-hole individual Stableford or Medal, which can take more than four hours, it’s a barrier to regular participation. Other sports have realised the need for change. The numbers playing Sunday League football have been dropping but you’ll struggle to find an artificial pitch during the week because they’re full of people playing 5-a-side. Look at the audiences for The Hundred in cricket. It’s dynamic and enjoyable to watch and It takes less time. There has been a noticeable increase in midweek cricket at grassroots level suiting that model.  Tennis is changing too. Padel Tennis is growing at a phenomenal rate, and it is huge in the United States. Some sports have adapted to suit their target audiences and
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