Golf club membership in the UK has evolved. Gone are the days when your only option was a fixed annual fee, regardless of how often you actually make it onto the course. Points based golf memberships have emerged as a flexible alternative, and for many golfers, they've changed what it means to belong to a club. PlayMoreGolf pioneered this approach back in 2016, creating the first network linking individual golf clubs under one flexible membership system.
This article breaks down exactly how points based memberships work, who they suit, and what you should consider before joining one.
When you join a points based membership, you pay an annual fee to your chosen home club. Instead of receiving unlimited access like a traditional member, you get a bank of points to spend throughout the year. Each time you book a tee time, points are deducted from your account based on when you play.
Peak times during weekends and mornings typically cost more points, while off-peak slots in the afternoon or midweek require fewer. This structure rewards flexibility in your playing schedule.
Most systems split your points into home points for your nominated club and flexi points for use at other courses in the network. With PlayMoreGolf, you can book tee times through a mobile app or website, making the process straightforward.
Points based memberships suit golfers whose schedules make regular play difficult. If you travel frequently for work, have young children, or simply cannot guarantee being at the course every week, this model offers genuine value.
According to the GCMA, golfers who play between 8 and 12 rounds per year often find traditional membership hard to justify financially. For this group, paying per round through a points system makes more sense.
The flexibility also appeals to golfers who enjoy variety. Rather than playing the same course every time, you can use your points across different clubs and experience new challenges throughout the season.
The core benefit is financial efficiency. You are not locked into paying for golf you will not use. If life gets busy one month, your unused points remain in your account. PlayMoreGolf members can even roll over unspent points when they renew, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
With a multi-club network, your membership opens doors beyond your home course. This transforms a single membership into a passport for exploring golf across the UK. Whether you are visiting family in another region or fancy a change of scenery, your points travel with you.
Joining as a flexible member still gives you genuine club membership. You can hold an official WHS handicap, participate in selected competitions, and enjoy the social side of belonging to a golf club. This addresses a common misconception that flexible membership means giving up the experience of being part of a club.
Flexible members often have shorter booking windows than traditional full members. Your home club might allow seven-day members to book further in advance, meaning popular tee times could fill up before you can access them.
Not all club competitions are open to flexible members. Some clubs reserve their major events for full members, so if competitive golf matters to you, check what is included before committing.
You will need to keep track of your points balance and plan your rounds accordingly. If you play more than expected during the summer months, you might need to top up your points later in the year. Most systems allow unlimited top-ups, but this adds to your overall cost.
Full membership suits golfers who play regularly and want unrestricted access. If you are on the course two or three times a week, the fixed annual fee works out cheaper per round. You also get priority booking, full competition access, and all the entitlements that come with seven-day membership.
Points based membership makes more sense when your playing frequency varies. Data shows that flexible members actually pay more per round than full members because they play less often. A full member paying annual fees and playing weekly might average around £19 per round, while a flexible member playing monthly could average over £30.
This means flexible membership is not cheap golf. It represents fair value for a different playing pattern.
If you are considering this type of membership, look at the number of partner clubs available. A larger network gives you more options for where to use your flexi points.
Check how booking works. App-based systems with live tee time availability make managing your membership much easier than manual booking processes. PlayMoreGolf offers direct online booking through their members' app, letting you see availability and confirm your round in minutes.
Also review the points matrix. Understanding how many points different time slots cost helps you plan rounds that give the best value from your allocation.
Flexible membership has grown significantly over the past two decades. In 2007, only around 10% of UK golf clubs offered points based options. By 2017, this had risen to approximately 40%. Today, 64% of proprietary clubs and 40% of members' clubs have introduced flexible categories.
This shift reflects changing lifestyles. Younger golfers, time-poor professionals, and families are drawn to options that do not require rigid annual commitments. Golf clubs recognise this and are adapting their membership models to attract a broader audience.
Points based golf membership works well if your schedule makes regular play unpredictable. It offers genuine club membership, handicap access, and the flexibility to play across multiple courses without paying traditional full membership fees.
If you play infrequently or value variety in your golf, this model deserves serious consideration. PlayMoreGolf connects you to over 200 UK partner clubs, handles the admin, and lets you focus on enjoying your time on the course. For golfers who want flexibility without losing the benefits of belonging to a club, it represents a practical solution.
The points required depend on when you play. Peak times like weekend mornings cost more points, while off-peak afternoon or midweek slots cost fewer. Your club's points matrix shows exactly what each time slot costs.
Yes. PlayMoreGolf members receive an official WHS handicap and can enter club competitions at their home club. You are a genuine member of your chosen golf club, not just a pay-and-play visitor.
With PlayMoreGolf, unused points roll over when you renew your membership. This means you do not lose value if you play less than expected during a particular year.
You can use your flexi points at any club within your membership network. PlayMoreGolf gives you access to over 200 partner clubs across the UK, letting you experience different courses with your single membership.
The annual fee is lower, but the cost per round is typically higher because you play less frequently. Flexible membership offers value for golfers who cannot justify traditional full membership fees based on their playing frequency.
Yes. Most points based systems allow you to book guest rounds. PlayMoreGolf members can manage guest bookings through the app, making it easy to arrange golf with friends or family who are not members.