A no-fuss, high-impact membership model that just works

When most people think of memberships, they imagine content, regular calls and constant creation. But Fran Carnall at Barlborough Links Golf Club took a totally different—and brilliantly effective—approach.

With their Affiliate Membership, there’s no content, no pressure, and no digital overwhelm. Just clear value, simple logistics, and a clever way to build a loyal customer base.

Now with 1,700+ members, the club brings in £2,000/month on average through this low-maintenance model—and has built an email list powerful enough to fill events and coaching sessions with just a few clicks.

“It’s easy—no content, no creating—just member rates (not discounts!!) every visit.”

What’s Included in the Affiliate Membership?

✔ Member Rates on Green Fees – For just £15 a year, adult players save £1.50 on every round (from £12.50 to £11).
✔ Lower Rates on Driving Range, Coffee Shop & FootGolf – Additional savings that add up over time.
✔ No Booking Pressure, No Commitment – Just real benefits for casual players.

“When we explain it to people, most say, ‘Well, it’s a no-brainer.’”

Why It Works: Simple. Effective. Rewards Loyalty.

Instead of pushing hard to grow the membership, the club keeps it simple:

📢 Every non-member is asked at reception if they want to join
📱 Social media backs it up and keeps it visible
📧 Members are added to the email list, which powers their entire marketing strategy

This no-fuss system builds community, drives recurring income, and ensures non-members always pay the highest rates, encouraging loyalty through clear incentives.

“It’s perfect for people who don’t play regularly enough for a full 5- or 7-day membership. They still get great value for money.”

The Only Challenge? Going Digital—But They Did It

Fran’s biggest hurdle was moving from paper forms to Mailchimp.

“We had to learn how to use a third-party mail system from scratch. But now, we can market directly to our list and it’s been brilliant.”

And that list has become one of the club’s most valuable assets:

📩 Coaching courses sell out via email
🎯 Annual events like Night Golf and the Boxing Day Competition are often fully booked just from email promotions
📉 Only when needed do they turn to social media for extra visibility

“I remember you always said: if you don’t do anything else in marketing, build your list. So we did.”

Unexpected Wins: Income Boosts & Smart Timing

The team made a smart tweak a few years ago: instead of ending the membership year in March (when golf is quiet), they shifted it to expire in December, giving them an income boost in January—traditionally a slower month.

“It does exactly what we want it to—get people on our list and keep them coming back.”

Final Thoughts

Fran and her team aren’t trying to overcomplicate things. The Affiliate Membership is intentionally simple, effective, and built to reward loyalty. It brings in income, builds their email list, fills events and courses, and makes members feel part of something—without needing constant attention.

“We love it. It works. Our members love it too. Why change what’s working?”

If you want to learn more or join the membership, visit: barlboroughlinksgolfclub.co.uk

Here Is Their Instagram Account If you like golf, give them a follow!