Golf clubs across the UK are becoming increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals. With a mix of sensitive member data, multiple systems, and a blend of staff, volunteers and committees, clubs face risks that many don’t even realise exist.
Here are the seven biggest cyber threats you need to know — and how to protect your club from them.
Phishing remains the number one attack vector for golf clubs. Criminals send emails posing as suppliers, committee members, or even the club manager.
These messages often:
Request urgent payments
Contain fake invoices
Ask for passwords
Attempt to install malware
Once a single user clicks, attackers can access email accounts, impersonate staff or steal sensitive information.
How to prevent it:
Use dedicated email security for golf clubs to filter dangerous messages before they reach your team.
Many clubs still share logins for:
Office computers
Booking systems
Committee email accounts
EPOS tills
Shared passwords = zero accountability.
Weak passwords = easy entry for attackers.
How to fix it:
Implement secure password management for golf clubs with strong password generation and safe sharing.
Most cyber attacks succeed because systems aren’t patched. Clubs often keep using old:
Windows PCs
Office software
Booking terminals
Pro shop devices
These outdated systems contain vulnerabilities criminals look for.
How to fix it:
Use proactive patch & vulnerability management to keep every device up to date.
Weakly protected Wi-Fi networks give attackers an easy route into internal systems.
Guest Wi-Fi is especially risky if:
It shares the same network as office devices
It has a simple password
It’s never been updated
How to fix it:
Use segmented networks and secure access controls.
Ransomware encrypts your files and demands payment.
For a golf club, this can shut down:
Till systems
Membership access
Bookings
Office operations
Committee documents
Recovery is expensive — and some clubs never fully recover.
How to fix it:
Use 24/7 endpoint protection for golf clubs with real-time threat monitoring.
People remain the largest weakness at most clubs. New committee members, seasonal staff, and volunteers often:
Haven’t been trained
Don’t understand cyber risks
Aren’t familiar with safe practices
Don’t know how to spot phishing
How to fix it:
Provide ongoing cyber awareness training for golf clubs.
Cyber Essentials is the UK’s baseline standard for cyber protection.
Clubs without CE often have:
Weak passwords
No patching structure
Unsecured devices
No access controls
Poor visibility of risks
Without this framework, clubs remain exposed.
How to fix it:
Adopt Cyber Essentials for golf clubs with structured support.
The risks facing golf clubs are real — but every one of them is manageable with the right structure, tools and awareness.
If you’d like to assess your club’s cyber risks, book a free, no-pressure Discovery Call.