Dianne Conway’s Post

How we play Golf is changing. Alasdair Rae comments "gone are the days when one could easily spend six or seven hours on the course. Today’s busy schedules mean fewer people can commit to a full day of golf." 🏌️♂️ This shift is impacting clubs across Great Britain, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. With varying membership costs and accessibility, attracting younger and more diverse members is becoming increasingly crucial. ⛳ At Custodian Golf, we’re diving deep into the data to understand these trends and help clubs adapt. Our latest research uncovers some surprising insights about the current state of golf memberships and the steps clubs need to take to secure their future. Curious about the full picture? Download our whitepaper to explore these findings and more. The time to act is now. https://lnkd.in/gaN3-Xaq #Golf #GolfClubs #CustodianGolf #MembershipTrends #GolfForEveryone Golf Club Managers Association Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) The PGA The R&A UK Golf Federation

I've been doing some new and very interesting things relevant to planning, housing, land, data, and golf! Combining multiple professional and personal interests with Custodian Golf and uncovering some extremely useful and valuable data (as well as the odd bit of shocking data)

Why do we call ourselves Custodian Golf? 🏌️♂️ At Custodian Golf, we chose this name because we truly see ourselves as custodians of the sport and the venues we work with. Our mission is to ensure the long-term sustainability of golf in Great Britain. ⛳ Being a custodian means more than just providing solutions—it’s about guiding clubs to make informed, evidence-based decisions that benefit their future. Our focus isn’t just on short-term gains, but on creating lasting impact that will safeguard the sport and its venues for years to come. Through strategic planning, data insights, and commercial advice, we help golf clubs navigate today’s challenges while ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Let’s protect the future of your club, together. #CustodianGolf #GolfCourseManagement #SustainableGolf #GolfInBritain #LongTermSuccess #GolfClubDevelopment #GolfSustainability Golf Club Managers Association Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) The PGA The R&A UK Golf Federation

GLOBAL BRANDS AND GOLF The Masters Golf Tournament effect on golf popularity in America is akin to how Wimbledon and the French Open have impacted tennis popularity through out the U.K. and Europe. The Masters Tournament, wasn’t always a success, struggling to make a profit from opening in 1934 and for the several decades, including a complete club shut down from 1942 until the 1946 Masters during WWII. In the fall of 1944, forty-two nearby prisoners of war helped to restore Augusta National back to golf form, including using their bridge-building knowledge to create what was Rae’s Creek bridge located between the famous 12th hole green and 13th hole tee box (bridge pictured below). Excerpts from “The Making of the Masters” by David Owen #brands #golf #marketing #hospitality #ANGC #masters #globalsports #insurance #SaaS #tech #financialservices #energy #globalbrands NOTE: As part of Q3 2024, our agency rEvolution will feature content and highlight global brands in golf ⛳️ , supporting our 15 brands in golf over the past decade.

Strong Opinions Required: The following flexible golf membership programmes are available from, or being proposed by, the GB and Ireland governing bodies: 1. Openplay (Available from Scottish Golf) https://lnkd.in/ebSySaWc 2. iGolf (Available from England Golf) https://lnkd.in/e_5kpVGx 3. Flexi Golf (Available from Wales Golf) https://lnkd.in/e7RH7DqA 4. The Independent Golfer Scheme (Proposed for Ireland by Golf Ireland) https://lnkd.in/ejEwEYMh The potential benefits of these programmes are clear and are being well promoted, but the potential negative outcomes are also clear to see. What is your opinion as a club manager or club member on flexible memberships? #Golf #Membership #Flexibility #OpinionsWelcome

The video below gives a good sense of the magnitude of what our members and staff have built at The Landings Golf and Athletic Club!

The traditional appeal of 18-hole golf is waning as modern lifestyles evolve. Today’s golfers, particularly younger generations, seek flexibility and shorter, more dynamic formats. Despite this trend, many clubs have been slow to adapt, maintaining outdated membership procedures and policies that may deter potential new members. Our data shows that failing to modernise can have severe consequences for clubs. Adapting to new member expectations requires clubs to rethink their approach—offering flexible membership options, embracing new formats like adventure golf or driving ranges, and updating facilities to cater to diverse recreational interests. At Custodian Golf, we specialise in guiding clubs through these transformations with data-driven insights. We help clubs reimagine their offerings and attract a broader, more diverse membership base. 📥 Download our white paper to find out how we can support your club in adapting to these cultural shifts. https://lnkd.in/gaN3-Xaq #GolfCulture #ModernGolf #MembershipGrowth #GolfInnovation #GolfClubFuture #adventuregolf Golf Club Managers Association Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) The PGA The R&A UK Golf Federation

Our latest article chronicles the extraordinary life and achievements of Miriam Burns Horn, a champion golfer during the Roaring Twenties. #golf #golfhistory #golfblog #kansascity #womensgolf #championgolfer https://lnkd.in/ed7h_Y6T

Once a crusty and enclosed elite order to one of the most powerful organisations in golf. But what’s behind the R&A’s meddling with the business of Irish golf? Revenue for one, and secondly, some welcome intervention for Golf Ireland as the organisation faces an unprecedented split across the amateur and grassroots game. And what are Ireland’s golf clubs doing to fight back?

The 152nd Open Championship officially tee’d off today, and continues what has been a record breaking year for prize money across golf.   The total purse for this year’s Open sits at a whopping $17 million - a $500,000 increase on last year, meaning that Sunday’s winner will take home a healthy $3.1m alongside the coveted Claret Jug.   But how do major golf tournaments consistently increase the prize money on offer? A key driver is the loyal support from some of the world’s leading brands.   Let’s take a look at both the history and context of the Open’s biggest partners👇 👔Hugo Boss Debuting in 1985 through the sponsorship of Bernhard Langer, Hugo Boss continue to be one of golf’s most prominent partners. Nowadays, they support 11 professional golfers (including 2016 Open winner Henrik Stenson).   🏦HSBC Entering their 13th year as a Patron of the Open, HSBC are supporting the development of the game through their Golf Roots programme, which is now the largest and most successful golf development programme in the UK. The aim is to reach 1 million children per year, whilst promoting key golfing values, such as honesty and respect.   🚗Mercedes-Benz The automotive giant has been associated with golf for over 30 years, notably being partnered with both the Open and Masters for over a decade. Mercedes also demonstrate their commitment to golf through the MercedesTrophy, an invitational golf series for over 60,000 Mercedes-Benz owners worldwide.   💳Mastercard A Patron of the Open since 2012 and supporter of icons like Tom Watson, Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, Mastercard aim to immerse their customers into golf through unique benefits. If you are a cardholder attending this year’s Open, look out for access to “The Mastercard Club” in the fan village, as well exclusive VIP seating.   #TheOpen #golf #sport #partnership