Are Memberships really value for money

[AMcC]

Not sure how many games I have at my club but think membership in general is very beneficial for me. I stay 5 minutes away and can pop down for a few holes at night. The course is never busy and can pretty much always just walk on. There is also a large grass practice tee with the range over 300yds long with free balls. So when that is added in to the cost per round Inthink it is a great deal. While same may think our membership is expensive overall I think the whole package makes it very attractive and I am delighted to be a member here

 

[huds1475]

I've just taken up an offer at a local one for £200 until the end of March. Figured that I'd been paying £20 GF per round so if this turns out to be cost effective over winter then a full membership can be looked at next year (around £550 I believe as I'm 25).

Regular playing partner has also just moved so being able to meet new playing partners was also a consideration.

Whereabouts have you joined?

 

[Oldham92]

Whereabouts have you joined?

North Manchester. Seems like a really good deal 👍

 

[Hobbit]

I've never really looked at dividing the number of rounds into the subs to work out VFM. Never saw the point in doing it that way. For me, a decent course, plenty of comps and a good craic, and if I can afford the subs I'll pay up. Not bothered if its 30 rounds or 200 rounds.

Lowest number of rounds in a year, about 20 a few years back when work got in the way too much. Enjoyed the golf I played, and coughed up for the following year quite happily.

 

[Jacko_G]

My thoughts on this topic are if you need to question value for money for your membership then you are either at the wrong club or you simply don't get the benefit or value out of your current club.

 

[Blue in Munich]

I've never really looked at dividing the number of rounds into the subs to work out VFM. Never saw the point in doing it that way. For me, a decent course, plenty of comps and a good craic, and if I can afford the subs I'll pay up. Not bothered if its 30 rounds or 200 rounds.

Lowest number of rounds in a year, about 20 a few years back when work got in the way too much. Enjoyed the golf I played, and coughed up for the following year quite happily.

Fully agree with the sentiment Brian, I only point out the numbers to explain/justify it to those who aren't sure (like management... ).

 

[Tashyboy]

I am scratching me head wondering why someone would want to join two clubs. Financially wouldn't it be better to join one and pay and play the other as a guests with your pals at second club.

For me deffo VFM

 

[Wolf]

For me I haven't played in years regularly as I couldn't justify VFM of being a member because of having 6 kids and being in the forces I was either away on active service or just wanted to spend time with the kids when I wasn't away and thought of spending hours at the club made me feel guilty. Actually when I think about it money wasn't the concern it was actually that golf was just to time consuming.

Now we're in process of moving, I have the bug for the game again, have time to commit to playing and can start getting kids into playing, I can nip in after work on way home, play a game at the weekend and get involved socially, for me the social aspect of a club is as big a part as the quality of the course. I'd hate to play somewhere that the course is stunning but facilities and social side is sterile. I want to be able to attend functions, meet people, have a chat, feel like I can take my family there for a dinner or to an event that for me adds more to VFM than simply how many rounds I play.

 

[ger147]

I am scratching me head wondering why someone would want to join two clubs. Financially wouldn't it be better to join one and pay and play the other as a guests with your pals at second club.

For me deffo VFM

To play comps at both.

 

[stefanovic]

I'm about to pay £341 for a 2nd membership. Open all year round, full tees and greens all winter, qualifiers all winter etc.

Is that Palacerigg, Cumbernauld? Played there once. Saw the wolves in the adjacent country park, but may not be there now.

Point I'm making is that for the price of a single membership I can play x number of different courses in my area (West Midlands and a bit beyond) by going off peak.
I can't think of another part of the country where I might be able to do this. There are still weekly tickets to play several courses in Scotland. The one I particularly remember was the Moray Golf Ticket. 11 courses originally cost £12.50 in total (about 1985) and it included play over Old Lossiemouth, Forres, Strathlene, Buckpool, Spey Bay, Garmouth and Kingston, Hopeman, Keith, and Cullen. Just over a pound a round. Not these days!

 

[howbow88]

I play enough so that it works out as an ok deal. I don’t like being tied down to one club though, and I do feel like I have to play when I get the chance. I can’t today and with the good weather, it feels almost like I’m wasting money

I think I’ll have to reconsider though at the end of next year. £900 is a lot of money to me.

Comps and the fun that goes with other members would be the biggest thing I’d miss.

 

[Jacko_G]

Is that Palacerigg, Cumbernauld? Played there once. Saw the wolves in the adjacent country park, but may not be there now.

Point I'm making is that for the price of a single membership I can play x number of different courses in my area (West Midlands and a bit beyond) by going off peak.
I can't think of another part of the country where I might be able to do this. There are still weekly tickets to play several courses in Scotland. The one I particularly remember was the Moray Golf Ticket. 11 courses originally cost £12.50 in total (about 1985) and it included play over Old Lossiemouth, Forres, Strathlene, Buckpool, Spey Bay, Garmouth and Kingston, Hopeman, Keith, and Cullen. Just over a pound a round. Not these days!

Freedom of choice. It really is a wonderful thing. What ticks boxes for you doesn't necessarily tick boxes for other golfers.

 

[howbow88]

This is my first year playing Golf.
I joined my first club in Jan 18.
Ignoring my joining fee, the subs are just over £2000.

is it value for money - 110% yes.
I will end up paying less than £15 a round.
I have played a load of away courses in club events for no green fee.
I have a free driving range and short game area

Free driving range?! That’s awesome! I would happily pay more for my membership if if included the range as I know I would be hitting 500 balls a week on there

Where are you a member, if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[patricks148]

Is that Palacerigg, Cumbernauld? Played there once. Saw the wolves in the adjacent country park, but may not be there now.

Point I'm making is that for the price of a single membership I can play x number of different courses in my area (West Midlands and a bit beyond) by going off peak.
I can't think of another part of the country where I might be able to do this. There are still weekly tickets to play several courses in Scotland. The one I particularly remember was the Moray Golf Ticket. 11 courses originally cost £12.50 in total (about 1985) and it included play over Old Lossiemouth, Forres, Strathlene, Buckpool, Spey Bay, Garmouth and Kingston, Hopeman, Keith, and Cullen. Just over a pound a round. Not these days!

they still do the ticket, but i don't think it ever got you a free round on those courses, its a discount off the green fee, we at least it is now.

 

[HankMarvin]

I am scratching me head wondering why someone would want to join two clubs. Financially wouldn't it be better to join one and pay and play the other as a guests with your pals at second club.

For me deffo VFM

Don’t scratch to much Tashy you might hurt yourself, why shouldn’t people joint 2 clubs ?

It’s their choice is it not ?

 

[HankMarvin]

Is that Palacerigg, Cumbernauld? Played there once. Saw the wolves in the adjacent country park, but may not be there now.

Palacerigg you having a laugh

Yep you must be.........

I would take a stab at Scotscraig as he will get winter golf there but not sure they do counting comps over the winter.

 

[ger147]

Is that Palacerigg, Cumbernauld? Played there once. Saw the wolves in the adjacent country park, but may not be there now.

Point I'm making is that for the price of a single membership I can play x number of different courses in my area (West Midlands and a bit beyond) by going off peak.
I can't think of another part of the country where I might be able to do this. There are still weekly tickets to play several courses in Scotland. The one I particularly remember was the Moray Golf Ticket. 11 courses originally cost £12.50 in total (about 1985) and it included play over Old Lossiemouth, Forres, Strathlene, Buckpool, Spey Bay, Garmouth and Kingston, Hopeman, Keith, and Cullen. Just over a pound a round. Not these days!

No it's not Palacerigg, it's Eyemouth GC.

And I'm not sure I would play golf regularly at all if I wasn't playing in medals, maintaining a handicap etc. Open comps on very good courses are also very cheap at peak times but only available if you have an official handicap i.e. are a member of a club.

My point is memberships are NOT a rip off IMHO.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think value for money comes down to more than how many times you play per year to work out the cost per round. It's about the condition of the course, the facilities, the service and the other members. It's something that has so many variables and not sure some of them are actually quantifiable. It's more of a feeling or vibe sometimes. I've been to clubs that have a great course, decent facilities but the service and the atmosphere around the place didn't feel warm and friendly. Again not something you could put a finger on but that nagging doubt that I wouldn't enjoy all aspects of being a member

 

[Tashyboy]

To play comps at both.

I get that, but it's a lot of brass to play a few comps..

 

[Val]

I am scratching me head wondering why someone would want to join two clubs. Financially wouldn't it be better to join one and pay and play the other as a guests with your pals at second club.

For me deffo VFM

I'm a member at 2 clubs and they are over 200 miles apart. That's my reasoning