WHAT ’ S I N THE BAG? RORY MCILROY New kids on the block

The four-time Major winner has made some changes for 2019

Forging ahead

Justin Rose gave us a glimpse of his new forged Honma Tworld irons via Instagram. Further images suggest he will play a mixed set, as well as Honma wedges.

Many golf clubs have decent-sized clubhouses, often in pleasant locations with attractive outlooks, that are sadly under-utilised for reasons of licensing and/or membership constitutions. This seems like a missed opportunity in an age when many clubs are struggling.

I visited one small club in Aberdeenshire recently where a good-sized clubhouse stood empty and unused while a few people were out playing. My host explained how he wanted to open it up for wider business than just members and visitors, to attract a little trade from passing walkers and potentially others from the town. Sadly, nothing had yet happened on that front.

But to survive and thrive, many clubs need to think about doing something different, and making greater use of their clubhouse facilities could be one option. I played at Dunstanburgh Castle a couple of years ago, where the clubhouse on this beautiful part of the Northumberland coast is open to anyone. It was buzzing after our round with a mix of golfers and walkers at a time when many clubhouses would have been ghost towns. Several other small clubs I visited in Scotland last year were doing likewise. Yes, some golfers would rather it were just for golfers, but needs must, and many clubs need to find fresh revenue streams.

Proprietary clubs, from my experience, are often ahead of the game in this respect, with far more clubhouses in this sector already being used effectively as restaurants, pubs or tearooms as well. Yes, it may require a change to the club constitution, and some thought about the viability and likelihood of getting a full premises licence, but in many cases it must surely be worth at least pursuing?

yes“It was buzzing with golfers and walkers at a time when many clubhouses would have been ghost towns”