If you live in Greater London or in close by counties like Essex, you have a choice of some 450 golf clubs at which to play within an hour drive. Some of them, are ‘members only’ but you can play at most accept visitors or visiting societies. Golf clubs are in business to make a profit, after all, and the way they seek to do that is to provide players with a wide range of activities in addition to keeping their courses in tip top condition.
There are some 80 or so golf clubs in Essex alone reaching all over the county, so wherever you live there will be some courses near you. Indeed, it takes only an hour to drive from one end of the county to the other, so the world – to coin a phrase – is your oyster.
It is no secret that golf club membership has been declining in recent years for a number of reasons. Not the least of these is that potential junior members spend far more of their time on the internet playing games and chatting on Facebook than they used to do 20 years ago when we didn’t have all this 21st century technology, rather than getting out and about in the real world.
However, there are other problems too. Many golf clubs are seen as outdated and run by committees of pensioners, and “cliquey”, while others are viewed as sexist. However, this needs to change if the sport wants to survive and flourish.
Despite this, many golf clubs in London, along with those in Essex, are keen to be seen to be bringing themselves into the modern world and are taking steps to try and “up their game” quite literally.
Some have swimming pools, spas, saunas, and even creches for children, in addition to the bar and restaurant, in order to attract a wider audience.
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