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Phishing Attacks on Golf Clubs — What They Look Like (Real Examples)
Phishing attacks have become one of the most common and costly threats facing golf clubs today. Criminals know that clubs handle money, member data, supplier payments and internal communications — and they exploit this with increasingly convincing emails designed to trick staff, volunteers and committee members.
Many clubs believe they’re too small or too low-profile to be targeted. Unfortunately, phishing attacks don’t work like that. They are cheap to run, automated at scale and often designed specifically to catch busy people off guard.
To help your team recognise the warning signs, this article breaks down the phishing attacks we most commonly see affecting golf clubs — and how to stop them before they reach your inbox.
The “Urgent Payment” Email to the Treasurer
One of the most common phishing attacks golf clubs experience starts with a simple request:
“Can you process this payment urgently?”
Attackers often impersonate:
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The manager
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The treasurer
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A committee member
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A supplier the club regularly uses
These emails pressure the recipient to act fast, usually claiming a payment is overdue or a supplier’s invoice hasn’t been settled. The goal is to get money transferred to a criminal’s account before anyone has time to verify it.
What makes these attacks effective is how closely criminals mimic real communication styles — referencing committee roles, club names, or familiar suppliers.
Protect your inbox with specialist email security for golf clubs
Fake Booking Confirmations Sent to Office Staff
Some phishing emails look like booking confirmations from systems the club already uses. These may include links to “view the booking” or “download the confirmation,” but clicking them installs malware or prompts for login credentials.
Golf clubs are particularly vulnerable because the office receives dozens of genuine booking-related enquiries every week. Attackers take advantage of this busy environment by disguising malicious messages within the normal flow of communication.
Supplier Impersonation Scams
Another growing threat is supplier impersonation, where criminals pretend to be:
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Catering companies
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Course maintenance suppliers
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The club’s POS or booking system provider
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Local businesses the club regularly pays
These emails often announce a “change of bank details” and request that future payments go to a new account. Because many clubs rely on long-standing supplier relationships, recipients naturally assume these communications are genuine.
Without verification, a club could pay thousands into a criminal’s account — with little chance of recovery.
Committee Impersonation Attacks
Golf clubs operate on trust, and attackers exploit that trust. They frequently send emails appearing to come from committee members — especially the captain, chair, treasurer or secretary.
These might request:
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Member lists
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Financial summaries
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Access to shared documents
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Login credentials
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Assistance with an “urgent matter”
If an attacker can trick someone into sharing committee-level access, they can often reach valuable data or impersonate club leaders in further attacks.
Emails That Steal Login Details
Many phishing attacks don’t try to steal money directly. Instead, they try to steal login credentials by directing recipients to a fake login page that looks identical to:
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Office 365
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Booking systems
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Till Systems
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Cloud storage tools (e.g., OneDrive, Dropbox)
Once attackers gain access to a club’s email account, they monitor messages silently, waiting for opportunities to intercept payments or gather member information.
Why Golf Clubs Are So Susceptible to Phishing
Phishing works especially well in golf clubs because:
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Staff and volunteers are busy and wear multiple hats
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There’s a high level of trust in internal communications
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Committee roles change frequently
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Seasonal staff may not receive formal training
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Clubs often lack advanced email filtering
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The environment is fast-moving, especially around events and competitions
Phishing isn’t a sign of carelessness — it’s a sign that clubs need modern protection and consistent awareness.
How to Protect Your Golf Club from Phishing Attacks
Protecting against phishing doesn’t require complicated systems — but it does require the right tools and processes.
Strengthen Email Filtering
Modern email security for golf clubs blocks dangerous links, prevents spoofing, and flags suspicious messages automatically.
Train Your Staff and Volunteers
Simple, regular cyber awareness training helps people recognise fake messages before they cause damage.
Use Strong Password Practices
If attackers steal login details, they shouldn’t be able to use them — secure password management for golf clubs makes this possible.
Adopt a Clear Verification Process
Especially for payments, bank changes and committee-related communications.
Final Thoughts
Phishing attacks are not random — they are deliberate, targeted and increasing across UK golf clubs. But with the right protection and training, you can drastically reduce the risk and make sure your team knows exactly what to look out for.
Awareness is the first step. The next step is putting the right safeguards in place.
Need Help Protecting Your Club from Phishing?
If you want to strengthen your club’s defences and reduce the risk of email-based attacks, we can help.