Country golf clubs fear being hooked into the financial rough by Scotland’s tougher drink-driving law.
The lowering of the legal driving limit has made it too risky for people to get behind the wheel after consuming even a single regular-strength alcoholic drink.
Since being introduced in December, it has been described as a “game changer” for the licensed trade and could put some premises out of business.
Places feeling more pain than many others are country golf clubs which, because of their distance from population centres, rely on members coming by car.
The customary pint after the game has been virtually outlawed for car-driving golfers by the lowering of the legal driving limit from 80mg to 50mg of alcohol.
Not only is the tradition a fixture of golf clubs’ social scene, it is also a source of income which has become more important at a time when club membership in Scotland has declined by almost 20% in 10 years.
Four Scottish clubs have recently gone out of business, including Whitemoss, near Perth, which has reverted to farmland. There are fears that the lower alcohol limit could force more closures.
A random selection of clubs contacted by The Courier admitted the new law is having an impact on their income.
They were taking action to try to mitigate the effect, like free soft drinks for the drivers of car-sharing golfers.
Stuart Graham, captain of Panmure Golf Club, Barry, said: “The club is being affected by the change and members’ behaviour is certainly changing. All members and visitors to the club have to travel by car.
“Previously members would feel comfortable having one drink after their round and then driving home but now that has changed. Our alcohol sales have dropped markedly, being partly replaced by increased soft drink and non-alcoholic beer sales.
“The exact effect on the club financially will not be know for a few months but it is clear the change has affected behaviour.”
David Norman, director of Strathmore Golf Centre at Alyth, said: “The new drink-drive limit has definitely had an effect on our and no doubt every out-of-town establishment that holds a licence to sell alcohol.
“The full extent of the financial damage caused by the new legislation in hard cash could be accurately documented over a 12-month period but in December our bar sales were down by a massive 29% over the same period as last year.
“Our restaurant sales declined by 16%. By January 20, our bar sales are down by 36% year-on-year and our restaurant sales declined again by 16%. This is very bad news.”
He continued: “Our regular members prior to the new legislation would drink one or two pints of beer after their game whilst enjoying the company of their friends and have a bite to eat. They would have known that they were within the drink/drive limit.
“Not now. These same people, unsure of whether or not one drink is or isn’t too many, will likely take a non-alcoholic refreshment and curtail their visit, affecting both our bar and restaurant sales.”
Andrew Turnbull, managing secretary of Edzell Golf Club, said that, with many of their members living outside the town, the new legislation will have an impact.
He continued: “In the first month of the new legislation in December, bar sales were 20% down. This is a snapshot and it would be wrong to read too much into this as there were two Saturdays where play was washed out, which didn’t happen in December 2013.
“Folk are still getting used to the legislation and how to deal with it at this stage.
“Once they take on board ideas such as car sharing, lifts and subsidised transport, then the effects may be lessened.”
He added: “We’ll keep a close eye on the bar sales month by month. I certainly don’t expect our sales to rise but I’ll be very interested to see what the totals are and what the impact is on margins as well as takings.”
David Roy, manager at Crail Golfing Society said: “We have already noticed a difference in beer sales and are turning our minds to what we can do to mitigate this effect.
“We will be organising a tasting session with members to determine which low-alcohol beers are preferred and will alter our stock accordingly.
“We have created an offer for groups of visiting golfers willing to car share, where the driver is provided with soft drinks for free.
“We are providing bus transport for social functions for those members that live within east Fife.
“It is good to see golfers being responsible and adhering to the new laws and it is up to the club to ensure that members and visitors are provided with alternative products and services.”