Will Recession Impact Green Fees?

[Craigster]

I was thinking about this last night while watching worldwide markets tank on fears of global recession.

Recession usually means less disposable income available for non essentials and despite my addiction to it, golf is not usually considered essential. When you combine this with the glut of courses in the GTA, do you think we will see any downward pressure on greens fees?

[BowmanvilleJim]

I feel that we have been witnessing and benefiting from the downward pressure on green fees already. I think we will continue to see more deals and discounted rate coupons being made available.
It wasn't so long ago that there wasn't a lot of discounting being offered other that thru Coupon books like Golf For All.

I see more discounts being offered on club websites and I like it. Between the Golf For All 2008 book, Last Minute Golfer and discounts at the club websites I am looking forward to playing some good courses this year at more reasonable rates.

[Clevelandfan]

It won't affect CL members as our dues went up 5%, we'll see how many stay as CL members.

[davepratt]

I feel that we have been witnessing and benefiting from the downward pressure on green fees already. I think we will continue to see more deals and discounted rate coupons being made available.
It wasn't so long ago that there wasn't a lot of discounting being offered other that thru Coupon books like Golf For All.

I see more discounts being offered on club websites and I like it. Between the Golf For All 2008 book, Last Minute Golfer and discounts at the club websites I am looking forward to playing some good courses this year at more reasonable rates.

As margins fall you'll see more and more deals on Greens fees and they'll try and make it up with tournaments, weddings, booze sales etc.

[hogannut]

SInce we have yet to be in an "official" recession as we have not had two quarters of negative growth, I would say green fees for this year will not reflect a recession that has not yet happened.

I think overall with the amount of courses out there now and the fact the amount of courses being built is out numbering new players 2:1 the plain fact is there are to many golf courses and not enough players to fill them up. I think this fact affects green fees more than a market "crash" that could recover as quickly as it tumbled, although I think some tough times are ahead for North America.

[BdaGolfer]

I think the place to be for deals this year will be in the Niagara region. With the exchange rates the way they are fewer people are crossing the border to play the $100-125 courses (Legends, Grand Niagara). Whirlpool still gets plenty of visitors though...

Alan

[caddishack]

You mean there is an upside to this so called possible recession?:eek:

[goshawk]

I think the place to be for deals this year will be in the Niagara region. With the exchange rates the way they are fewer people are crossing the border to play the $100-125 courses (Legends, Grand Niagara). Whirlpool still gets plenty of visitors though...

Alan
Just think how this affects your Cdn $ when going across the border to play the more moderately priced courses in the Buffalo area.

[Merlot]

Greens Fees have come down alot over the past few years IMHO.

Maybe courses like Cooper Creek will start cutting amenities and lower the greens fees. I on't think they were too busy this year. I would play the course more if it were $80. Who wouldn't i guess.

[Big Shooter]

I don't really see "Prime" rates coming down, but non-prime have to some extent....
I think you'll see more 'value-added' pricing. (eg. Green Fee incl. meals, a hat/shirt, etc.) Angus Glen does this.

[Desi2007]

The popular courses are still gonna remain busy as they make bulk of their money from tournaments. Most courses around GTA still charge hefty fees as they are mostly busy. Courses outside gta offer some discounts and I think they will continue to offer more and more discounts....i am not optimistic about gta courses offering any significant discounts as there are still more per capita golfers in canada than anywhere else (including usa).