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S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 7
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Golf is of considerable importance to the UK
being consistently among the top five most
popular sports. With a participation rate of
3.3% for those playing once in the last four
weeks and 7.4% playing at least once in the
last year, it suggests nearly 4 million people
are playing golf at least once per year.
Scotland has the highest participation rates
with England having the lowest, despite
having the most golfers.
A recent report prepared by Sheffield
Hallam University in 2016 suggests
that there are nearly 55,000 full-time
equivalent employees in the sector, directly
contributing £4.42 billion to the economy.
Including indirect and induced income, the
contribution grows to £10.291 billion. With
golf making its return to the Olympic Games
in Rio (after this report was published) the
economic and sporting conditions are
considered favourable for the UK golf
industry to continue to grow.
The report continues with a breakdown of
spending on golf, showing membership
fees to be the highest cost to golfers.
Other items such as food and beverages
and clothing are supplementary to the golf
round and add, sometimes significantly, to
the total spend.
The 2016market was somewhat fragmented.
There is apparently strong demand from
domestic and overseas buyers, but this is
frustrated by relatively little supply.
Owners, where their properties are
performing well, are not tempted to sell
given alternative investment returns unless
they have other drivers, such as retirement
or consolidation. The trend of alternative
development has also continued with edge
of town properties frequently targeted by
developers in off-market transactions – the
recent conclusion of the deal which will
see the Royal Norwich Golf Club move
to Weston Park enabling housing on their
current site is but one example.
We have also seen very good levels of
demand for larger properties, including
our own recently concluded deal at the
Buckinghamshire Golf Club. Drivers in these
areas can reflect underlying development
potential for second homes, gym and leisure
club memberships alongside the core golf
business and – for some properties – strong
food and beverage, corporate or private
hospitality performance.
The next couple of years may prove testing,
as Brexit will continue to concern all markets
and the likely economic impacts seem to be
differently forecast by every commentator;
Golf courses will however remain
substantial land assets and a sound
long term investment.
G O L F
S T R O N G D E M A N D F R O M D O M E S T I C A N D O V E R S E A S B U Y E R S
Nation
Adult
Population
4-weekly
participation rates
Regular adult
golfers
12-montly
participation rates
Occasional adult
golfers
England
44,136,000
2.5%
1,099,000
6.2%
2,747,000
Scotland
4,298,000
7.0%
301,000
17.5%
752,000
Wales
2,516,000
4.0%
101,000
10.0%
252,000
Northern Wales 1,468,000
4.0%
53,000
9.0%
132,000
Total Adults
52,418,000
3.0%
1,554,000
7.4%
3,883,000
G O L F PA R T I C I PA C T I O N I N T H E U K , 2 0 1 4
Sources: Active People Survey; Welsh Participation Surbey; SAPAS; and Scottish Household Survery