Golf Club Talk UK is back with the third session of its panel series, and this episode tackles one of the biggest issues facing clubs right now: capital investment and keeping facilities fresh.
The panel explores why some clubs consistently improve while others stand still. A key theme is governance and planning. Too many clubs operate on short board cycles, which can lead to “pet projects” and deferred big-ticket costs. The discussion highlights how a clear 10-year capital plan can create continuity, protect long-term decision making, and stop essential reinvestment being pushed onto future committees.
From a hospitality perspective, the episode also covers how underinvestment shows up in the places that matter most to modern golfers. It isn’t always the course that makes the first impression — it’s the clubhouse experience and the small touchpoints that signal whether a club is keeping pace. The panel makes the point that clubs may see strong participation nationally, yet membership growth often lags behind because the product and environment still feel geared towards a narrow demographic.
Another standout section is on occupancy vs yield. Being “busy” doesn’t always mean being profitable. If the majority of rounds come from members who play very frequently at a low effective yield per round, reinvestment becomes harder. The conversation then moves into why points-based and flexible models are being discussed more often, not as a replacement for full membership, but as a way to widen the funnel, improve yield, fill quieter times, and create a pathway into deeper club engagement.
If you’re a GM or committee member responsible for budgets, facilities, or long-term sustainability, this is an episode worth setting aside time for.