Arn't joining fees making it harder for new members?

[ChrisB0210]

Our club doesn't have a joining fee and hasn't had one for quite some time. Our membership is stable in terms of numbers and has increased slightly in the last couple of years. Our fees are competitive when compared with other nearby clubs.

There are a few clubs in the area that do charge a joining fee. Two of these are considered as the most prestigious clubs in the area, with courses that pretty much live up to that billing and the others are good courses, albeit none claim to be as prestigious as the top two.

As far as I'm aware, all the clubs charging a joining fee are doing well, although they do have membership vacancies (I know because I nearly joined one earlier this year following "issues" at my present club) despite the joining fee and cost of membership.

I don't really have a set view on joining fees if I'm being honest. If I wanted to join a club that charged one then it's unlikely the joining fee would put me off. That said, if I didn't feel the overall fees represented good value for money, then I wouldn't look to join the club in question.

 

[hovis]

Obviously it is different at proprietary clubs such as The Belfry where the members have no or limited input into the decision making process.

What decision do us members at the belfry need to make. The belfry is money driven and so has to stay on top of things to keep custom. As a member we benefit from this with fantastic drainage (still open in winter when most are shut) great greens and the list could go on.

I mentioned to the golf director that the tee box on the 9th was uneven and the green staff started work on it the next day (major work)

If the belfry didn't come up with the goods then i'd leave. I'm not financially handcuffed to them

 

[Deleted member 15344]

What decision do us members at the belfry need to make. The belfry is money driven and so has to stay on top of things to keep custom. As a member we benefit from this with fantastic drainage (still open in winter when most are shut) great greens and the list could go on.

I mentioned to the golf director that the tee box on the 9th was uneven and the green staff started work on it the next day (major work)

If the belfry didn't come up with the goods then i'd leave. I'm not financially handcuffed to them

The belfry who are money driven assign a work force and materials to rebuild a tee because one member mentions it and even more so they do it the very next day ?!?

 

[GB72]

To be fair, though run by committee I have never felt that I have any more say at any club than I would at a course like the Belfry. Both private member's clubs were run in the interests of certain sets of members, the views of others may as well not exist.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

To be fair, though run by committee I have never felt that I have any more say at any club than I would at a course like the Belfry. Both private member's clubs were run in the interests of certain sets of members, the views of others may as well not exist.

I think and I hope those sort of committees are dying away - we are trying to break down those types of things happening to the point now the ones complaining are the ones that have had it their own way for years - the membership are learning that they do have a say and a voice - all through better communication

 

[GB72]

Sadly not round here. Captain picks successor, committee nominates and seconds new members. Same old thing every year. Never felt any more than a customer at any of the private member's clubs I have been a member of.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Sadly not round here. Captain picks successor, committee nominates and seconds new members. Same old thing every year. Never felt any more than a customer at any of the private member's clubs I have been a member of.

Captain picks his successor for us but needs to be ratified at AGM

Treasurer is set

All other posts are from the membership with proposal from another two members then voted by the membership

Wouldn't like to be at a club you are talking about - it seems like a job for the old boys

 

[chrisd]

Private members clubs have committees that are answerable to the members. I wouldn't join a proprietary club that had a joining fee where an owner can do whatever he wants.

That's a very fair point .......... unusual for such sound sense from a Lycra wearing bicycle rider!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Sadly not round here. Captain picks successor, committee nominates and seconds new members. Same old thing every year. Never felt any more than a customer at any of the private member's clubs I have been a member of.

Anyone can stand for committee and at most clubs you can only serve for a fixed period of time. If you don't like what your committee are doing why not stand for election yourself? Lots of people whinge about things at their club but aren't prepared to do anything about it.

 

[351DRIVER]

Anyone can stand for committee and at most clubs you can only serve for a fixed period of time. If you don't like what your committee are doing why not stand for election yourself? Lots of people whinge about things at their club but aren't prepared to do anything about it.

No joining fee, just leave

 

[HDID Kenny]

I'm a firm believer in joining fees, it promotes a bit of loyalty to the club and encourages members to stay long term which gives the benefit to the club of being able to plan and finance long term improvements.

^^^ exactly this ours are £1000 payable over 4 years, ps a lot less than they used too be. If you leave you can return within a 10 year period without having to pay it again.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Captain picks a vice and both have to be ratified by the board and approved by the members at the AGM. All committee posts are open to all to stand and be voted in so from that perspective we have a say. However in terms of direction, how the money is spent, events held etc there is nothing we can do and this is decided by the directors and committee.

It would be nice to see something via email or even published and left in the clubhouse to give updates on all things club related, especially things like finances rather than waiting for the annual accounts and green keeper, captain, committee reports in the AGM pack

 

[Liverbirdie]

Sadly not round here. Captain picks successor, committee nominates and seconds new members. Same old thing every year. Never felt any more than a customer at any of the private member's clubs I have been a member of.

Have you ever approached a committee to offer your services?

 

[Liverbirdie]

Captain picks a vice and both have to be ratified by the board and approved by the members at the AGM. All committee posts are open to all to stand and be voted in so from that perspective we have a say. However in terms of direction, how the money is spent, events held etc there is nothing we can do and this is decided by the directors and committee.

It would be nice to see something via email or even published and left in the clubhouse to give updates on all things club related, especially things like finances rather than waiting for the annual accounts and green keeper, captain, committee reports in the AGM pack

We give monthly newsletters and the minutes are available in the clubhouse from all the committees, and they are also e-mailed to the membership, along with the newsletters (something I suggested).

One person said "what about the people who don't have e-mails".

I said anyone can get a free email address, can put a relative's e-mail address down etc. 98% of the other members shouldn't be excluded just because of 2% who don't have them, but sadly the professionally offended want to be all-inclusive.......for people who aren't inclusive!!!!!

 

[Snelly]

I paid a joint fee to get in to my new club. It is the best in the area and the only one that still has a joining fee. Membership is closed, those on the waiting list have been told they will have to simply wait as the club does not want any more members or the course would become too busy at peak times and this would affect the pace of play.

It is a great situation to be in.


Obviously, my club are charging joining fees because they can and it ensures loyalty. I was happy to pay it. Others on this thread clearly would not be. That is fine, do whatever suits you. However, pointing to joining fees as some kind of problem for the game or clubs is just daft.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We give monthly newsletters and the minutes are available in the clubhouse from all the committees, and they are also e-mailed to the membership, along with the newsletters (something I suggested).

One person said "what about the people who don't have e-mails".

I said anyone can get a free email address, can put a relative's e-mail address down etc. 98% of the other members shouldn't be excluded just because of 2% who don't have them, but sadly the professionally offended want to be all-inclusive.......for people who aren't inclusive!!!!!

Seems to be the situation we are in. We get some emails, usually with the new code for the security doors and gates, the next social golf etc but never anything of significance like green keeper reports, captains report.

 

[hovis]

Today my friend said that his usual playing partner has had major surgery and has give up golf. "I've got no one to play with" he said. I asked him to join my club and he said " piss off!!! Ive only just paid my £1500 joining fee"

So my friend feels like he has to stay because of money's paid!! Hope he's good at making friends

 

[Norrin Radd]

Seems to be the situation we are in. We get some emails, usually with the new code for the security doors and gates, the next social golf etc but never anything of significance like green keeper reports, captains report.

have you asked for a captains report or a green keepers report?
maybe they are there to be seen by one and all if they asked for them Martin.
it cant hurt to ask

 

[HomerJSimpson]

have you asked for a captains report or a green keepers report?
maybe they are there to be seen by one and all if they asked for them Martin.
it cant hurt to ask

Yes and no, they aren't produced other than for the AGM pack that goes out before the meeting

 

[SammmeBee]

Seems to be the situation we are in. We get some emails, usually with the new code for the security doors and gates, the next social golf etc but never anything of significance like green keeper reports, captains report.

Ever asked for one?