From the Clubhouse: The good, the bad, and the ugly of golf club committees
How many of our clubs would survive without them? The committee, board, and the various gatherings beneath them are the hubs of our clubs – largely staffed by volunteers who just want to give something back to the place they love the most.
But should so much responsibility be placed in the hands of so few? What happens to the club when decisions aren’t being taken properly and what if they won’t let the general manager do their job?
On this week’s From the Clubhouse, a podcast from National Club Golfer, Steve Carroll and Tom Irwin, who’ve both seen their fair share of golf club committees down the years, dive into the topic with relish.
Tom relates his experiences in a marketing sub-committee, while Steve gives you the low down on how proprietary clubs do their business.
It’s not doom and gloom by any means. The pair accentuate what makes committees great and Tom puts forward a five-point plan for the perfect golf club decision making body.
So if you’ve ever hailed or heckled your committee, have a listen and join the debate.
What do you think about golf club committees? Are you on one? Are they a valued part of your club. Let us know your thoughts with a tweet.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
