Reciprocal-play offerings have quietly changed in the wake of golf’s boom.
Whenever I’ve joined a new golf club, one of the first things I investigated after joining was the reciprocal arrangements in place.
It’s a unique aspect of golf. Call it a bonus for committing to one club, as in reality, no one bases their decision about where to join solely on a club’s reciprocities. OK, so there have been stories through the years of people picking a certain club purely because of the gates it opens elsewhere, but except in isolated cases, reciprocal rights aren’t the motivating factor.
However, like many aspects of club golf, reciprocal rights are changing. And not necessarily for the benefit of members. Typical of the scenario is this notice in a recent Royal Queensland Golf Club member newsletter, which brought to light one downside of the post-COVID golf boom:
“Royal Queensland has long prided itself on an exceptional network of reciprocal clubs, both within Australia and internationally – something many other clubs envy. However, with the surge in golf participation… this popularity has brought both opportunities and challenges for our members.
“Reciprocal clubs are now facing increased demand on their courses, leading some to reassess their reciprocal playing rights. As a result, Royal Melbourne will now charge RQ members double the member guest rate, increasing from $160 to $320 per round. Similarly, New South Wales [Golf Club] will introduce a $150 fee for RQ members, effective from July 1, 2025
“In response, Royal Queensland will implement the same fee structure for incoming visitors from Royal Melbourne and NSW.”
Call it like-for-like, tit-for-tat or simply a sign of the times. Heavier golfer traffic across the board in Australia – including by club members – is prompting many clubs to revisit their reciprocal arrangements, but not all.
Like most clubs, Adelaide’s Kooyonga Golf Club has experienced continued growth in rounds played. General manager Brett Lewis says the club is working on strategies to minimise the impacts on member access, plus wear and tear.
“In terms of reciprocity, over the past 12 months we have seen a 25 percent spike in reciprocal rounds played, which I put down to events in Adelaide such as LIV, AFL Gather Round as well as general growth in inbound tourism to South Australia,” Lewis says.
“While 25 percent growth seems a lot, it only equates to 300 rounds, with reciprocal rounds making up just 2.5 percent of our total rounds played.
“We have not introduced any policy change for reciprocal guests since COVID, apart from the 10-day period pre- and post-LIV in Adelaide when we do charge full visitor green fees.
“Our members enjoy good access and play a similar quantity of rounds at our reciprocal clubs, so it’s really a net zero proposition.
“We have noticed a change in access at some of our key reciprocal clubs over the past couple of years, with restrictions put in place at certain times of the year, but this has been generally accepted by our members.”
The ‘how to respond’ quandary is certainly pertinent in all this. Other top-tier clubs have chosen to sit on both sides of the reciprocity fence. Some we contacted have elected not to alter reciprocal policies despite several of their reciprocal clubs increasing green fees for visiting members. Other clubs have gradually introduced green fees to domestic reciprocal relationships.
“It wasn’t overly popular at the time, but interestingly it’s becoming the norm now,” said one general manager.
That’s the golf clubs’ takes, but what of club members? We put the question to our Facebook followers and typically received the full gamut of opinions.
I liked the sentiments offered by Clayton Gunning, a member of our Top 100 Golf Courses ranking panel, who said: “I think reciprocity agreements are very important and value-add to private club membership; the problem is some people only think it’s about free golf when it’s so much more.
“Reciprocity is about access and being looked after. When one is holidaying within Australia or abroad, it’s great to be able to visit a club and be looked after and treated like a guest. If that means a green fee is required, I’m happy to pay it. My club bends over backwards to warmly welcome our reciprocal visitors and I love the opportunity to be a host and make new friends.
“Agreements have changed over time, with travel being so much more common than it was when many of these agreements were put in place and memberships at most of the top clubs full, but that shouldn’t be reason to end agreements completely.”
So, what of the model for the future? It would be sad to see reciprocal golf further diluted or even disappear, as it generates so many benefits for members [see panel]. What’s more likely is a subtle reworking of the model, as undertaken by some golf clubs already.
Yet, like so many aspects of modern life, prices rise and value becomes compromised – and it is incumbent on the individual to decide the worth.
Top 5 things about reciprocal golf
5. It’s a unique concept across all sports.
4. The chance to play a new and different course, perhaps at a reduced rate.
3. The bonus it adds to taking up membership of a golf club.
2. The sense of camaraderie that often develops between reciprocal clubs.
1. The likelihood you’ll gel with another golfer and forge a new friendship.
