Edinburgh Leisure has experienced a major surge in the demand for its municipal courses, reporting a 400% increase in uptake of its winter golf membership. The deal ran from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and proved to be a huge hit with local golfers.
The charity organisation, which operates the six municipal courses in Edinburgh, including Silverknowes, Braid Hills and Carrick Knowe, has said that it has seen an increased number of players at every one of its courses since the pandemic began.
“While restrictions during lockdown meant many sports had to close, it has been refreshing to see so many people visiting our six Edinburgh Leisure golf clubs,” David Atkinson, golf and grounds maintenance manager at Edinburgh Leisure told UK Club Golfer.
“The benefits of having an Edinburgh Leisure golf membership compared to membership of just one golf club or course is value for money and the opportunity to play a variety of courses across the city.”
Another unnamed source told UK Club Golfer that the total number of new members that Edinburgh Leisure has taken in is somewhere in the region of 1,500 people and that there is now not enough tee times across the six municipal courses to cope with the demand.
As well as an added number of people playing Edinburgh Leisure courses, the organisation has revealed that it has noticed a changing demographic taking up the game.
Membership remains largely male but women now make up 13% of Edinburgh Leisure’s members, while just under a quarter of customers are aged 16-44 years old – an increase of 9% on the previous year. The largest proportion of customers (45%) are aged 45 to 64, while 31% of the capital’s muni membership is 65 and over.
Read the latest issue of UK Club Golfer online
