candukid The old guys need to wake up then. The golfing population is decreasing dramatically in the younger generation and the old farts are all going to end up paying more if the club can’t generate new members. Say nothing of inflation, but every time one of them can’t pay the next year’s fees, for whatever reason, injury, income or death included, the club is short on income. It has to be replaced. In order for the club to survive, they need younger players to come in, take a long standing membership, develop loyalty and help recruit more of the same people in. The younger generation also tends to eat more, drink more and network more, leading to more profit potential. If the only thing the old guys are worried about is the price, they should be happy to have more revenue coming in so the club doesn’t have to raise its prices. Most under 30 haven’t hit their earning potential yet, so getting them in now at a price they can afford before they make more financial commitments in life is smart, once they make more it will be even easier to justify paying for the club, they will stay.
I am 34, I make enough to join one of the top country clubs in the area, but I can’t justify it. I have a nice house and a lot of other stuff to pay for now. Had I been able to join there 5 years ago before making those commitments, I would still be there. Now it’s probably never going to happen. See how that works?