Annual Membership - What would you like thrown in?

[Deleted member 15344]

Point missed....

You have 2 course of equal stature, both of which you like, both are quality courses that you can't split.
Both are the same price, both the same distance from your door.

The one that gives you more "freebies" is going to get the business isn't it...?

And what are the chances of finding two courses like that within most peoples area.

But as I said - I look at the course when I decided to join and had no clue on any "freebies"

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I don't think people really expect much thrown in as such, however people always like something free.

The old story is true though and there is nothing for free and what ever you get will just be on your subs.

For me the best thing could be the club promoting the social scene and maybe even assist arranging social away days.

 

[tsped83]

I wouldn't really expect anything to be thrown in, a round with Holly Sonders would be a sweetener though

 

[GB72]

And what are the chances of finding two courses like that within most peoples area.

But as I said - I look at the course when I decided to join and had no clue on any "freebies"

Same here, I joined the club that I wanted to and as per my original post freebies would have made little difference. It still does not mean that there is no benefit to them in helping the club sell or promote the course, the catering or the pro and his services.

 

[richart]

I am surprised that so many comment on their clubhouse food and drink being so expensive. Ours is cheaper than other places locally and we get a discount on our card. Often have lunch at the club even if I am not playing because of food quality and price. I would mention that the bar and catering normally breaks even each year, and this includes Society food which makes a profit. Members are actually getting food and drink subsidised which is a nice benefit of membership:thup:

 

[GreiginFife]

Mobile operators often offer free tablets with contracts, and banks sometimes offer cash incentives to switch current accounts, so perhaps this is symptomatic of modern culture.

Is that a bad thing though? While I don't want to see the corner shop vs Tesco effect, the best modern memberships certainly go beyond offering rights to a game on the course alone.

Yes, IMO it is symptomatic of the "gimme" culture that has steadily crept in to day to day life. Does that make it right? Not for me, some might like it.
As I pointed out though, there is a whole lot more to being a member than just a game on the course.

The cost for these "freebies" MUST come from somewhere. You or the next person, who's it to be?

I joined my club based on two factors and two factors alone, quality of the course and the quality of the club itself. I moved from what I deemed an good course but terrible club.

 

[CMAC]

I think the posts have gone slightly off track to the OP

Point 1) I dont believe anyone joins a club based on the freebies.

Point 2) Clubs, like any business these days, are trying to maximise or increase revenue and by offering these incentives it's in the hope it will generate extra income at the bar/pro shop etc There are risks associated with this strategy but they are minimum as they will have you 'on site' by then and probably spending more.

Point 3) One thing is guaranteed, if you're not there you won't be spending any money!

 

[MadAdey]

A butler on arrival to get my clubs out of the car and put them on my trolley, ready to meet me at the first. He also takes my bar order and ensures it is ready for me when I enter the clubhouse. When I am ready to play he makes sure my shoes are nice and shiny then puts them on for me.
A happy polite starter that tells me to enjoy my game and do not rush, take as long as you want out there.
Perfect fairways with no divot marks anywhere, greens that run truer than an international standard indoor bowling green.
hooters as the halfway house, with Thai masseurs to take away any stress from the front 9.
a topless waitress to meet you on the 18th tee to take your bar order from you.
The butler then meets you at the 18th green to take your clubs away to clean them and put them in the car. He also meets you in the changing room to change your shoes and take your golf shoes to clean them.
Pole dancers on every table in the clubhouse, topless waitresses taking your orders.
A complimentary limousine to run you home after you decide to have one more drink.
A good looking young LPGA player as the club pro, instead of the grumpy grey hair old boy.


IF CARLSBERG MADE GOLF CLUBS

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Interesting conversation at the weekend overheard at club - members discussing current situation a lot of clubs find themselves in - and the fact that the notion of 'club loyalty' is not something many new or recent players/members put much store in. The golf club is simply a means to playing a golf course on a regular basis and getting a handicap - and once they've played the golf course enough they'll take their membership elsewhere and so on and so on. And is there an answer to that? Not really. If that's what 'no joining fee' promotes then that's what will probably happen. Freebies etc offered by a club - interesting - but for such golfers not really a key decision driver when joining a club or remaining a member.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Interesting conversation at the weekend overheard at club - members discussing current situation a lot of clubs find themselves in - and the fact that the notion of 'club loyalty' is not something many new or recent players/members put much store in. The golf club is simply a means to playing a golf course on a regular basis and getting a handicap - and once they've played the golf course enough they'll take their membership elsewhere and so on and so on. And is there an answer to that? Not really. If that's what 'no joining fee' promotes then that's what will probably happen. Freebies etc offered by a club - interesting - but for such golfers not really a key decision driver when joining a club or remaining a member.

This is precisely the reason my club retains a joining fee; to avoid a constant revolving door of members looking for greener grass elsewhere.

 

[Garush34]

I get half price at the course's around me. Not much but gives me the chance to play else where if I fancy a change. I agree that there should be some incentive to get new members, but once you've joined and look to continue your membership i dont see why you should get something for free.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

This is precisely the reason my club retains a joining fee; to avoid a constant revolving door of members looking for greener grass elsewhere.

Mine also - and not just 'greener' grass - 'different' grass.

And why not? If I put little value in actually being a member of a club and it cost me nothing to join - once I've been a member a couple of years - or maybe just one - I might well go to another club with no joining fee - spend a year at that one - then go to another etc. And after doing this for maybe 5yrs, and still living in same part of the country, I might then decide upon the one I enjoyed most to join for the longer term.

Or I just keep going from club to club - after all - what club is going to turn me away despite my record as an inveterate golf club flirt.

This is screaming loyalty benefits for existing members, rather than freebies and OTT enticements for new ones

 

[GB72]

This is precisely the reason my club retains a joining fee; to avoid a constant revolving door of members looking for greener grass elsewhere.

It is not always a case of looking for greener grass, sometimes the way that the club is run changes or the way that a course is maintained changes and, as many people have said on here when someone questions a club's policy on a matter, if you do not like it then go elsewhere. I will be totally honest and say that I have never quite found the club that I am looking for. Don't get me wrong, at both of my last clubs the course was good and the members generally friendly but there was something missing. If a club near me had a good course (first priority) but had more drawn comps, more weekend rollups and a more relaxed attitude in the clubhouse then I would look to move. Trouble is all of the clubs around me are either hotel courses of run in the same way. So, if I moved I would not be looking for greener grass, or freebies, but rather a course that was run in a way that more suited what I am looking for. Sometimes you do not get a real feeling for a club until after a year or so of membership and so the joining fee can be a frustration.

As for the freebies, this sort of leads into a different area. many clubs around me are looking for incentives to attract new members but none are looking at ways to help retain those that are looking elsewhere or are considering the value of membership. Perhaps small incentives to make members feel appreciated could make that decision to stay a member a bit easier.

 

[mikee247]

Reciprocal arrangements at other clubs would be nice, we get f-all. :angry:

We get these and its a great addition to the pack. I think we have about 10-12 courses now.... It only takes a few phone calls from the pro or manager, a bit of patter and if your track is half decent locally then most courses will take it up.

 

[mikee247]

A butler on arrival to get my clubs out of the car and put them on my trolley, ready to meet me at the first. He also takes my bar order and ensures it is ready for me when I enter the clubhouse. When I am ready to play he makes sure my shoes are nice and shiny then puts them on for me.
A happy polite starter that tells me to enjoy my game and do not rush, take as long as you want out there.
Perfect fairways with no divot marks anywhere, greens that run truer than an international standard indoor bowling green.
hooters as the halfway house, with Thai masseurs to take away any stress from the front 9.
a topless waitress to meet you on the 18th tee to take your bar order from you.
The butler then meets you at the 18th green to take your clubs away to clean them and put them in the car. He also meets you in the changing room to change your shoes and take your golf shoes to clean them.
Pole dancers on every table in the clubhouse, topless waitresses taking your orders.
A complimentary limousine to run you home after you decide to have one more drink.
A good looking young LPGA player as the club pro, instead of the grumpy grey hair old boy.


IF CARLSBERG MADE GOLF CLUBS

I think I want to come on one the golf trips your going to organise for us in the near future!!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Interesting conversation at the weekend overheard at club - members discussing current situation a lot of clubs find themselves in - and the fact that the notion of 'club loyalty' is not something many new or recent players/members put much store in. The golf club is simply a means to playing a golf course on a regular basis and getting a handicap - and once they've played the golf course enough they'll take their membership elsewhere and so on and so on. And is there an answer to that? Not really. If that's what 'no joining fee' promotes then that's what will probably happen. Freebies etc offered by a club - interesting - but for such golfers not really a key decision driver when joining a club or remaining a member.

I will fully, and happily, admit to being one of these revolving door golfers.

I started playing seriously 18 months ago. I joined one course, played it for 12 months, got a handicap. When my year ran out, I joined a different course, that offered a slightly different challenge, and was slightly more punishing.

Why am I a revolving door golfer? The club scene offers little for me. I'm mid twenties, and as such, golf is one of many pastimes. I play a round, have a drink in the bar, then leave. The social events do nothing for me, and likely that I am not the target audience.

I also know that there is a high chance if a good job were to come along, I would up sticks and move to a different part of the country. Why would I join a course where I need to pay a high fee for what could only be a years membership?

I fully appreciate that some clubs do actively want a joining fee and lifelong membership, but i think you come off a little critical (not suggesting this is intentional) when you describe these revolving door golfers.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It is not always a case of looking for greener grass, sometimes the way that the club is run changes or the way that a course is maintained changes and, as many people have said on here when someone questions a club's policy on a matter, if you do not like it then go elsewhere. I will be totally honest and say that I have never quite found the club that I am looking for. Don't get me wrong, at both of my last clubs the course was good and the members generally friendly but there was something missing. If a club near me had a good course (first priority) but had more drawn comps, more weekend rollups and a more relaxed attitude in the clubhouse then I would look to move. Trouble is all of the clubs around me are either hotel courses of run in the same way. So, if I moved I would not be looking for greener grass, or freebies, but rather a course that was run in a way that more suited what I am looking for. Sometimes you do not get a real feeling for a club until after a year or so of membership and so the joining fee can be a frustration.

All of which issues you could try and have addressed by staying loyal to it - but if you don't think it worth the candle and yes I agree that loyalty only goes so far - then you move.

Again though - these sort of issues and whether you stay or leave come down to whether or not you have a degree of loyalty to the club that rises above them. Perhaps a bit unlike 'captains and respect' discussed elsewhere, I do think that clubs have to earn loyalty of members. If however, whatever they do, members are happy to take their business wherever - then it's difficult for a club to know what more to do - other than somehow reward any loyalty shown.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I will fully, and happily, admit to being one of these revolving door golfers.

I started playing seriously 18 months ago. I joined one course, played it for 12 months, got a handicap. When my year ran out, I joined a different course, that offered a slightly different challenge, and was slightly more punishing.

Why am I a revolving door golfer? The club scene offers little for me. I'm mid twenties, and as such, golf is one of many pastimes. I play a round, have a drink in the bar, then leave. The social events do nothing for me, and likely that I am not the target audience.

I also know that there is a high chance if a good job were to come along, I would up sticks and move to a different part of the country. Why would I join a course where I need to pay a high fee for what could only be a years membership?

I fully appreciate that some clubs do actively want a joining fee and lifelong membership, but i think you come off a little critical (not suggesting this is intentional) when you describe these revolving door golfers.

Agree - probably sounded more critical than I intended it to. More a somewhat disappointing matter of fact that clubs are having to try and work out how to accommodate.

Maybe a group of clubs in an area all get together and have very open reciprocal arrangements, whereby a member of one club can play across all clubs in the group - perhaps with 'club members only' slots on weekdays being the exception. Maybe up to 2pm on Weekends being reserved for members. All non-members playing any other course pay a nominal admin/green fee - the same across all courses - so maybe £10.

 

[beau d.]

Nothing, absolutely nothing...... My take is that I want the course to be the best it can be at all times. If it is closed due to bad weather, fine, I have no desire to play in poor conditions and suffer the consequences for a long period of time to accommodate my desire to play when the course is unfit. Any decent golf club is generally has no shareholders or the likes to keep happy, so as long as all the profits generated are being plowed back into the course then i'm happy. You have to take into account most all incentives (aside reciprocals) have to be paid for, and with times being tight that will probably end up at being at the expense of the course as most clubs are doing their utmost to keep subs down. I knew the fees when I joined so i'm fine with that else I would not have joined in the first place......

 

[JCW]

Well for me it have to be 1. Guest Green Fees , book of 5 say
2. Top your Bar card with say 10% of your joining fee ( £2250 it was )
3 Free sunday lunch /Dinner for you and her indoors
4. 2 free lessons with the Pro

I think that is not a bad line up to expect for the joining fee I paid which I may add was worth it as the course is fantastic ..........EYG