The CGCS and GCMA have issued an update on the committee’s recommendations for 2026.
The CGCS has once again convened to examine the issues facing our industry and subsequently provide guidance to employees and employers on the appropriate levels of remuneration for key roles in golf.
Whilst our sport continues to thrive it is clear that challenges remain in finding and retaining the right people to maintain this momentum. There are also pressures on employers to meet increased overheads in the same way that key golf workers are facing a continued squeeze on household finances. The CGCS takes both of these factors into account when arriving at a recommendation.
Inflationary measures since the last recommendations were published have been almost the inverse of the previous twelve months. Whilst not quite reaching the highs of September 2023, inflation has risen steadily with some signs that we may have reached a plateau. At the same time Regular Pay is currently at it’s lowest for 24 months. The committee believes that the issue of highly qualified staff, particularly those with managerial responsibilities being caught up by those enjoying the rise in the NLW still remains a significant problem.
With these factors in mind the Committee is recommending an overall wage increase of 4.8% from January 1st, 2026. Employers will continue to take an approach to remuneration decisions that reflect their own business environment and we hope that this recommendation is given commensurate consideration at this point.
Further to this our deliberations have considered the value of factors in addition to pay awards. A growing number of employers are looking at how they can reward and motivate employees through a package of measures that include private health insurance, a defined proportion of budget ringfenced for professional development and also demonstrating a commitment to a robust governance structure.
These factors all contribute to giving employees the sense that the business in which they work is genuinely committed to staff well-being. With this in mind the CGCS is also recommending a new measure of 6.8% for overall package value from January 1st, 2026. We believe that this not only reflects the growing practice amongst employers of considering staff remuneration in this way but should also encourage a greater number of golf businesses to adopt this strategy.
Should any employer wish to seek advice on these or any other issues relating to staff development please feel free to contact the GCMA or BIGGA who are well-placed to provide advice and support.
By Mark Shanley
