Benefits of joining a club?

[Ted-on-tour]

Hi all.

I'm very new to golf and I was just wondering what the benefits of joining a club are. I was thinking of joining one of my local clubs (Warley woods if anyone knows it?) but with lots of local courses offering pay and play, other than a reduced fee to play as a member are there any other benefits?

Thanks.

 

[fundy]

Lots of benefits, especially if you get to play a lot as then each round gets quite cheap. Each course is different but in addition you will get most of: an official handicap, chance to play in competitions, members discounts (often in shop and bar), reciprocal agreements that allow you to play other courses for free, use of practise facilities, social functions etc

 

[chrisd]

Hi all.

I'm very new to golf and I was just wondering what the benefits of joining a club are. I was thinking of joining one of my local clubs (Warley woods if anyone knows it?) but with lots of local courses offering pay and play, other than a reduced fee to play as a member are there any other benefits?

Thanks.

You can't have an official CONGU handicap without being an affiliated club member

 

[Ted-on-tour]

*Googles CONGU*

Oh ok, thanks.

 

[GG26]

Joined a club a year ago. I don't have any playing partners, but getting to know some of the members by playing in as many competitions as I can and the Sunday morning roll-up. Have found everyone friendly, encouraging and willing to look after someone new to competitions. I am glad that I took the plunge.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

So many benefits, in my opinion if you can afford to do so, then it's a no-brainer and you need to get in as soon as you can. However you need to decide if the club you are looking at offers everything you need. Is it a course that's interesting and will keep you coming back. Are the competitions drawn or is it cliquey mates. Are there decent practice facilities (if you want to work on your game), whats the atmosphere in the 19th like. Does it have a good social side. If the answers to most of these is yes then get the money paid

 

[Ted-on-tour]

That is exactly what I was hoping for. A bit of guidance on certain things, My Dad is my playing partner at the moment but I dont think hes too keen on joining a club and to be honest hes just as clueless as I am.

I know etiquette is a big part of golf, I know each club is different but in the experience of the forumers, would club members just expect you to know? Playing poorly doesn't bother me as I'm almost expected to, but I'm a little worried of doing something wrong.

 

[BesCumber]

Was a member of a club 20 yr ago and loved it. Unfortunately with a young family and a mortgage it was a bit of a selfish luxury so I let it slide. Since then I've had the pub society, and a regular mate to quench my golf needs, but its not the same.
Now though I'm in the fortunate position to be able to re-join a club, and I intend to do just that.
So my advice Ted, is go for it, as stated above, you'll soon get to know other members, gain a hc, play in comps, and maybe even enjoy the odd social.:thup:

 

[Ted-on-tour]

Social? You mean a get together at the club house?...I'm guessing?

 

[BesCumber]

I wouldn't worry Ted. Etiquette is just a posh word for not acting like a knob.
Good manners will get you miles, and any feux pars will be politely pointed out.
They don't shoot novices anymore. Well they don't up here..

 

[BesCumber]

Social? You mean a get together at the club house?...I'm guessing?

Yip..
Some clubs have snooker teams, then there's various dinners throughout the year. Presentations, bbqs, bonfire nght,, chrimbo.
You get involved as much as you like, or not at all, no one will judge, well not anyone worth knowing. :lol:

 

[Ted-on-tour]

Mr Cumber thanks for the input. Looks like I'm on me way down the club to sign on the dotted line.

Quick question with regards to the functions...In you experience is the other half allowed to tag along?

 

[BesCumber]

Mr Cumber thanks for the input. Looks like I'm on me way down the club to sign on the dotted line.

Quick question with regards to the functions...In you experience is the other half allowed to tag along?

Absolutely. If you tell them.

 

[Hendy]

I sometimes wonder is it worth joining. I feel if you want to play at weekend then maybe

For me I can play two courses near me for 13 on a wed includes a burger and chips or something to that tune.

Also almost ever course around me has a Twilight deal which is a tenner.

And one of the same course as before has a deal on Friday morning for a tenner aswell.

Am sure with teetimes.co.uk you get some deals for weekend golf.

My membership is 585 quid. That's alot of pay and go golf.

The membership days are numbered imho

 

[Ted-on-tour]

The club I was looking at says £50 for full membership on its website. I'm guessing thats monthly but it doesn't specify.

 

[BesCumber]

The club I was looking at says £50 for full membership on its website. I'm guessing thats monthly but it doesn't specify.

Just looked on the web and it appears to be a club attached to a public course, so slightly different to a members club.
For your £50 (per year) the club will maintain a congu handicap, run comps, provide insurance and organise the odd social, but you will still have to pay a green fee.
Seams good value to me, if your happy there. I don't know of a cheaper way of obtaining and maintaining an official congu hc.

 

[Ted-on-tour]

Yeh thats the one. Whats the difference? I've been to the cafe on site a few times and it doesn't seem all that posh, but for an almost complete novice I'm sure it'll do?

 

[Ted-on-tour]

So other clubs in my local area, Dudley for instance charge something like 500pa. I wouldnt pay a fee to play?

 

[big_matt]

Depends what the priorities are. Personally, it has never appealed to me. With the variety of tee time deals these days, i find that i can spend a summer playing a different course every week with my mates and see a lot more of the golfing landscape, and varying challenges, for the same or less than what club membership costs.

Im not really interested in competitions, but if i was then that would be a reason to join. Ive never been stopped from playing really prestigeous courses due to not having an official handicap, so happy to just know what my rough handicap is.

Each to their own.

 

[BesCumber]

So other clubs in my local area, Dudley for instance charge something like 500pa. I wouldnt pay a fee to play?

Nope.
So if you play every wk thats less than a tenner plus the fringe benefits.
And you can pay monthly.
Phone the club up. Tell them your looking for a club and play a round and have a look round the club.
See what you think, only you know if it's right for you Ted.
Good luck mate. This is a great game with some great people.:cheers: