Free Junior Golf Memberships are the Future of Golf Clubs
Golf clubs don’t have a participation problem — they have an access problem.
And the fastest, smartest solution is…
FREE JUNIOR GOLF MEMBERSHIPS.
Clubs that remove financial barriers for juniors aren’t giving value away. They’re investing in long-term membership growth, stronger club culture, and the future of the game.
Why Free Junior Golf Memberships Work
Cost is the biggest barrier stopping young players from starting golf. Free junior membership removes that barrier instantly.
Successful programmes such as the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA) prove the model works. Juniors receive free membership, free coaching, and structured access to golf in a safe, supportive environment. The result is simple: more juniors playing, more families engaged, and more lifelong golfers created.
Free does not mean unmanaged. Clubs that succeed with junior golf use:
Clear age limits
Designated playing times
Coaching-led development
Strong safeguarding policies
This creates commitment, not chaos.
How Free Junior Memberships Increase Adult Memberships
Free junior golf directly drives adult membership growth.
When children join a golf club, parents follow. Many adults return to the game purely because their kids are involved. Junior golf becomes the most effective adult recruitment strategy a club can use.
Clubs with strong junior sections also feel healthier. They’re active, modern, and welcoming — exactly the type of environment new members want to join.
Even more important, juniors who grow up at a club don’t leave at 18. They transition naturally into adult membership, increasing overall turnover and connect to the culture and community.
The Benefits of a Strong Junior Golf Section
A thriving junior section delivers long-term advantages:
A sustainable pipeline of future adult members
Stronger competition and performance pathways
Improved community engagement
Positive brand perception for the club
Long-term financial stability
Golf is one of the few sports people can play for life — but only if they’re introduced early.
Free Junior Golf Is an Investment in the Game
Free junior golf memberships are not a short-term giveaway. They are a long-term development and performance strategy.
Clubs that embrace junior golf builds resilience into their membership, culture, and future.
Because raising your game doesn’t start with fees.
It starts with access.
www.greatmaker.co.uk @greatmaker.uk