The Sky Sports Golf presenter, an ambassador for the Underrated Tour, says clubs need to show flexibility if they want to boost membership
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
Golf club membership “has to evolve at some point” to become more of a family friendly space.
That’s the view of Sky Sports Golf presenter Henni Koyack, who has urged clubs to be more flexible to meet the needs of everyone who might wish to play.
Speaking ahead of the Underrated Tour’s first trip to Europe at Walton Heath at the end of this month, Koyack, who is an ambassador for the venture backed by NBA legend Stephen Curry, believes things are starting to change.
But while membership in England continues to increase, with latest figures showing 722,000 players are attached to clubs in the country, the numbers of women and girls remains stubbornly static – despite participation figures showing more are playing the game.
Asked what could be done to encourage more women and girls to make the leap, Koyack said: “My personal opinion is that golf club membership has to evolve at some point. In the past I’ve been quite vocal about golf clubs not being a welcoming space.
“It’s back to what I’ve said about children following mothers. Golf clubs have to be family friendly spaces. We’re all time poor and cash-strapped and golf and golf clubs are the opposite of that. You need four or five hours to play and it’s expensive. So I just think there needs to be some kind of flexibility there.
“Let’s say, for example, golf clubs offer summer only memberships and it’s a family friendly environment that you can bring kids and babies and teenagers.
“Now, I’m sure there will be people reading this that are horrified at that but, ultimately, if you really want the game to grow those are the things you have to do.
“It’s a question of, ‘is that really what golf clubs want?’ I think from a financial point of view, I would 100 per cent do that because that’s where your membership is.
“I think it’s a question of whether golf clubs can be flexible. I think a lot are starting to think that way.”
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Koyack is opening a coaching room at Surrey’s Precision Golf at the end of this month – with a full sim-bay, TrackMan analysis, and an augmented reality experience – and said she had modelled her approach on ensuring everyone would feel comfortable and included in the room.
“One thing that was really important to me was that it was a family friendly space,” she explained. “I was thinking to myself, ‘what times are we going to be available?’
“It’s making sure I have the space for kids toys and for people to come in and be coached and enjoy and feel comfortable in that environment.
“If you’re having that thought process, you have to have women in the room.”
Asked whether golf clubs need to adapt to meet the needs of women – particularly those who worked – Koyack continued: “100 per cent. It’s marketing 101, isn’t it? Who is our target audience, what time can they get here, when are they unavailable?
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“Look, even at the weekend, with dads being more involved in the family dynamic now, why shouldn’t that be a family friendly environment? Of course that would make sense. There should be a kids’ room in every single golf club. You shouldn’t feel on edge if you bring a toddler into a golf space.”
She added: “There is this old-fashioned view that this is the time the old men used to get away from the old nagging wives and families.
“Ultimately, that has to end. Whether it is in this generation or the next, I think it will change at some point but it’s how it’s been since the game started so, of course, that can be clung onto and I get that.
“But I think slowly we are starting to see signs of people making a massive impact in that area.”
One venture that is trying to make a difference is the Underrated Tour, which arrives at Walton Heath from May 29 to 31.
It aims to promote opportunities for young athletes who might not otherwise get the chance to access golf.
A junior prodigy whose victories included the Welsh Ladies Stroke Play at just 15, Koyack knows only too well the prodigious entry and ancillary costs that can stop talented young players from taking strides in the same, said she did not hesitate to get involved when approached.
“I think we all know, across the junior golf space for girls and boys, that for competitions the cost of that is insane,” she said,
“The Underrated Tour, from my point of view, is giving young people a genuine opportunity to show what they can do in the game and not just have that opportunity to compete but also have the other ancillary opportunities on the back of that.
“That’s probably the most important part. I would encourage as many people to come down to Walton Heath and watch, or volunteer, as possible.”
Underrated provides training, equipment, networking events and is working hard to give female golfers the same chances as their male counterparts and Koyack added: “I’m just so proud when I approach people and talk about it because, without doubt, every time I mention what Underrated are doing, everyone is just floored and then it’s, ‘how can we get involved?’ I’m very proud to be involved.”
This article is part of GCMA Insights – topical content for golf industry professionals, discussing the things that matter to those who work in golf clubs.
Get involved in the debate. To join the GCMA, click here, or to organise a call with a member of the GCMA team, just complete this form and we’ll be in touch!
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