Salary committee issues 2025 recommendations

Committee made up of representatives of BIGGA, the GCMA and independent members recommend salary increases of 5%.

Since the last recommendations at the start of 2024, the UK has seen general inflation and wage inflation steadily decrease. In general, it is understood that the majority of UK golf facilities are still thriving following the post-pandemic increase in participation. However, the general economic situation, particularly as it affects operating costs, is a concern for the whole industry.

There is widespread acceptance that the ongoing success of the sport is in no small part due to the excellent work of the golf industry workforce. However, staff recruitment remains a challenge for many facilities, as is the ongoing issue of staff retention. Above inflation increases to the National Living Wage (NLW) continue to put pressure on club finances and wage structures.

The CGCS strongly considered all of the above issues, as well as the data below, before reaching its recommendations for 2025 salaries.

	% Increase
Month (2023-24)	CPI	CPIH	Total pay (inc bonuses)	Regular pay	WRHR	Private sector	Public sector
Sep 23	6.7	6.3	7.9	7.8	6.5	7.8	7.4
Oct 23	4.6	4.7	7.2	7.2	7.0	7.2	7.0
Nov 23	3.9	4.2	6.7	6.7	7.3	6.6	6.6
Dec 23	4.0	4.2	5.8	6.2	7.1	6.2	5.9
Jan 24	4.0	4.2	5.6	6.1	7.1	6.1	6.0
Feb 24	3.4	3.8	5.7	6.0	6.4	6.0	6.1
Mar 24	3.2	3.8	5.9	6.0	6.2	5.9	6.4
Apr 24	2.3	3.0	5.9	6.0	5.8	5.9	6.3
May 24	2.0	2.8	5.7	5.8	5.5	5.6	6.4
Jun 24	2.2	3.1	4.0	5.1	4.7	4.9	5.7

 

CPI	Consumer Price Index
CPIH	Consumer Price Index (owner occupiers' housing costs). Includes costs associated with housing, considered the most comprehensive measure of inflation
WRHR	Wholesale, retail, hotels and restaurants sector
National Living Wage 2025 The National Living Wage is forecast to rise by 5.8% in 2025 to £12.10 per hour

 

There is no doubt that NLW is putting pressure on golf facility wage structures and the committee strongly recommends that golf facilities give serious consideration to ensuring existing lower-paid staff are suitably rewarded such that they are not continually 'caught up' by those on the NLW. It is imperative that experienced staff members who bring so much to facilities feel valued if they are to be retained.

Overall, based on the data above, the prevailing economic environment and the importance of golf facility staff to the overall industry, the CGCS recommends an overall wage increase of 5% for 2025. The decisions on any salary related matters are, of course, entirely down to the individual golf facility to make and it is vital that employee reward and retention is given balanced consideration alongside affordability and financial health for the business.

This figure will be applied to the salary calculators provided on the CGCS website at the end of this year.

At this time, the CGCS is conducting research to enable the creation of calculators for additional golf facility roles including assistant manager and equipment manager or chief mechanic.

As in previous years, the CGCS states that these are recommendations intended to ensure golf facility staff are suitably paid and valued by their employers in today's turbulent environment, which is an environment in which securing new and competent staff is becoming ever more difficult. 

Alongside salaries, golf clubs are also urged to ensure that suitable attention, provision and resource is given towards the growing concern that is mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing adequate opportunities for career pathway support, training and development. If any employer or golf club committee member would like to learn more about what BIGGA or the GCMA can provide in these areas, please do not hesitate to get in touch.