Public golf courses rising in popularity
Pay and play golf courses across the West Midlands are bracing themselves for a busy summer as people turn their backs on paying expensive fees to private clubs.
Growing numbers of golfers are not renewing their annual membership fees of hundreds of pounds in a bid to save cash during the recession. Municipal courses hope to reap the benefits by offering ex-private players the chance to carry on golfing without the hefty annual membership costs.
Some private clubs charge over £600 a year. Two public courses in Sandwell say they have enjoyed bumper turnouts in March and bosses have said they expect things to improve.
John Robinson, manager of Brandhall Golf Course in Heron Road, Oldbury, said: "The private courses are losing members and a lot are having to do things like take off their joining fees."
At Brandhall Golf Course 18 holes cost £13.50 midweek and £14.50 at weekends, with nine holes for £8.50 and £9.
Pay and play course Warley Woods Golf Club in Lightwoods Hill, Smethwick, has also seen an increase in players. A round of 18 holes for adults costs £13.50 at weekends and £11.50 in the week. Numbers were up 40 per cent last month.
Viv Cole, from Warley Woods Community Trust which runs the course, said: "We know we are picking up some customers from Birmingham municipal courses as their fees went up on April 1."
