Earlier this year, the association decided at its annual meeting to introduce a cap on how many so-called golf IDs, that is, memberships, a club can issue.
The decision has been controversial and the clubs concerned – Happy Golfer, Ekholmsnäs Golf, Byxelkrok and Bryttsätter – have chosen to file complaints with the Swedish Competition Authority for what they see as a cartel.
While the issue is being investigated by the Swedish Competition Authority, the association is now choosing, most unexpectedly, to change its previous decision, that is, the decision that the maximum cap would be introduced at the turn of the year.
Instead, the regulations introduced last summer will be extended.
– The Swedish Competition Authority's investigation will continue in 2026 and may continue for several more years. Then we think this is a fairer solution because then no one is harmed, otherwise many will have to change clubs, says Bo Bengtsson, deputy secretary general at the association, to TT.
For one of the clubs now affected, Happy Golfer in Stockholm, this means that they do not need to reduce the number of members but can remain at 39,800 members.
Mattias Bohlin is the founder and CEO of Happy Golfer.
We are surprised, but it is of course positive that the union is backing down on the cap and the chaos it has caused, he says.
Is there a risk that previous announcements have caused members to already choose to leave your club for other alternatives?
Yes, it's clear that things are already changing.
Tobias Österberg/TT
Facts: The ceiling in golf
TT
The Golf Association decided at the annual meeting on April 6 to introduce a maximum limit on the number of golf IDs that a club may issue.
The decision is based on the fact that many golfers choose to become members of so-called mailbox clubs instead of the local club. The association believes that this has a negative economic impact.
The rules mean that an 18-hole golf club can issue 2,800 golf IDs and a 9-hole course 1,680. Originally, it was said that the decision would come into effect on July 1st and members who exceed the cap would be allowed to remain until January 1st.
However, the union has now chosen to postpone the change pending the Swedish Competition Authority. This means that the members will remain where they are.
