Bar levys-your thoughts.

[HughJars]

I don't get into the complexities of club finances, so forgive my ignorance, what is the retainer for and how is it applied? At my club, I was under the impression that the Pro worked as a franchise and therefore paid a rental to the club for the use of premises etc.

Golfmmad.

The retainer is so that he can afford to eat. There would be very few club pros around the country if they actually had to rent their premises.

 

[viscount17]

I was thinking about the bar card issue last night ( I was playing at a club that used them).
I can understand the initial £50 on your card at the start of a season as it gives the bar an initial float (to cover stock and the first months bar wages etc) but once they have the initial float the bar should be able to continue off its profit margin.
I know a lot of clubs run a 'non-profit' bar but that's semantics - they have to be able to cover their costs. I don't go with the idea that you then <u>have</u> to top it up regularly, to me that looks like protecting the bar against poor planning.
Once your card is used up it should be your choice if and how much.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Pretty much how Ascots work. £50 at the start of the year and its up to you then. If you don't/can't spend it in 12 months whatever is left gets taken back by the club. Once your balance drops you can either top up, pay full price or not bother using the 19th

 

[mansell]

[/QUOTE]I would hate your suggestion. Our pro is absolutely top notch, and I am more than happy to support him.

[/QUOTE]

I'm glad you get on with yours / can't stand our pro
money making machine

 

[SharkAttack]

If you have 500 members each paying £50 gives the club £2,500 in the bank on day one. Added to the fact that the mark up on drink is huge that will probably mean a £2,000 profit for the club. We have a £30 levy but you can buy food with that too so I usually drop in with Mrs Mad and Little Miss Mad for Sunday lunch.

I think if you had paid more attention at school you would have realised that 500 X £50 = £25,000 and probably covers the running costs of the bar for the year.

 

[backwoodsman]

At ours, it's a £110 compulsory levy at start of year (quite why the extra £10 heaven only knows). 20% discount on drink and 10% on food. Once it's spent you can top up or not as you choose. But you don't get discount if you don't use it to pay. If you don't spend it by year end then you lose it.

Don't see any problem with it - if you can't be @rsed to stay for drink with your club-mates, then should you not question whether club golf is for you? And as to not spending it - that's a laugh. What with a drink or two, plus a few Sunday lunches with HID, I've already topped up half a dozen times so far this year.