Changing courses

[HPIMG]

I am thinking about changing course. My current course I do really like the course it’s really nice but as I’m getting better I’m starting to practice more and my course just has really bad practice facilities, it’s probably the only bad thing I could say about the place but the practice facilities are really that bad.
Recently played another local course it was an enjoyable round of golf and the course was in pristine condition and there practice facilities are unbelievable, full proper driving range plus 3 different large chipping areas. Just thinking if I move it’s a new clubs and having to try and meet new people again. Current club we play in a 4 ball twice a week and there all a good laugh but I really hate there practice facilities.
I am thinking of joining this new club but thinking will I regret it. Just wanted to ask what makes people change courses or stay at a course that maybe there not 100% happy with ?

 

[Whereditgo]

It really is a matter of personal choice and what's more important to you. You may have a regular group you play with that you gel with and have become mates and therefore value that more than the better practice area?

I moved house a couple of years ago and drive past half a dozen good quality courses with far better practice facilities, albeit at a significantly higher membership cost, but I have a group of guys with whom I have become good friends at my current course, play in the club league matches, go on a couple of trips with each year and to me that is more important than the convenience and better practice areas of the alternatives.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I’m thinking of moving primarily due to location, we’re moving to a house about 1/2 a mile from this particular club. My lad is already a junior member there, and I’ve been a member there myself in the past - so know quite a few people up there.
There isn’t as much there in terms of facilities, but the course is generally in great condition.
Tempted to go on the flexi points based membership, I’ll get the benefits of membership but save some money to use on opens and away days which I tend to enjoy more than the regular grind of playing the same course a couple of times per week.

 

[chico]

I'm also planning to change clubs this year. It's a strange one for me because personally I'm really enjoying it.
The problem I have is my wife also plays and she hates it. The red tees are only marginally shorter than the yellows and she just finds it to long.
Another negative is when joining I asked about the junior aspect of the club as I'm trying to get my children into golf. They told me they're trying to encourage the junior side but they actually do nothing for them at all.

 

[Oddsocks]

I am thinking about changing course. My current course I do really like the course it’s really nice but as I’m getting better I’m starting to practice more and my course just has really bad practice facilities, it’s probably the only bad thing I could say about the place but the practice facilities are really that bad.
Recently played another local course it was an enjoyable round of golf and the course was in pristine condition and there practice facilities are unbelievable, full proper driving range plus 3 different large chipping areas. Just thinking if I move it’s a new clubs and having to try and meet new people again. Current club we play in a 4 ball twice a week and there all a good laugh but I really hate there practice facilities.
I am thinking of joining this new club but thinking will I regret it. Just wanted to ask what makes people change courses or stay at a course that maybe there not 100% happy with ?

Which is the better course?

Better condition?
Better layout?
Drains better in the winter?

 

[Bratty]

I am thinking about changing course. My current course I do really like the course it’s really nice but as I’m getting better I’m starting to practice more and my course just has really bad practice facilities, it’s probably the only bad thing I could say about the place but the practice facilities are really that bad.
Recently played another local course it was an enjoyable round of golf and the course was in pristine condition and there practice facilities are unbelievable, full proper driving range plus 3 different large chipping areas. Just thinking if I move it’s a new clubs and having to try and meet new people again. Current club we play in a 4 ball twice a week and there all a good laugh but I really hate there practice facilities.
I am thinking of joining this new club but thinking will I regret it. Just wanted to ask what makes people change courses or stay at a course that maybe there not 100% happy with ?

If they're both local, is there any reason you can't just use the other club to practice and continue to play at your place?

 

[KenL]

Quit practicing and enjoy your golf.

 

[Deleted member 25575]

Join both?

 

[RichA]

Depends if you're a member of a golf club to get better at golf or to enjoy playing recreational golf.

 

[HPIMG]

Which is the better course?

Better condition?
Better layout?
Drains better in the winter?

Current course I would say is maybe slightly better but I am going back tomorrow to play the new course again for a 2nd time.

Both courses are in lovely condition but maybe the new one is slightly better condition.

My course does drain well in winter but I’m told the new course is the same and there both pretty close so I’ll see tomorrow quite a bit of rain yesterday and think it’s to rain tomorrow.

I think I’m leaning towards a change possibly because I play a lot of golf, usually 5 rounds a week. After two years I think I’m looking for a change and a course with better practice facilities.

 

[Orikoru]

Is there any kind of dirt cheap membership option at the new one that you could take up that allows you to use their practise facilities? Like a 'lifestyle' membership or something like that? Then keep your full membership at the original course as well.

 

[Jason.H]

Our course has a driving range but no good chipping and pitching area. I tend to have a practice round on my own and have a few chips around the greens.
A good test is to kick the ball off the green if I hit it( not literally ) and then chip and put for a short game test. After 18 holes see how many up and downs you get.

It’s done me well so far.

 

[3offTheTee]

Does Course B have a membership for Driving Range facilities and ability to use practice facilities? If not why not ask them?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

…and remember…you change clubs not courses. You need to score both club and course against what you want out of golf and being a member of a club.

 

[mikseymono]

Thinking of doing this myself........mine is a nice short 12 hole (9 in competition)..parkland course. 12 mins away Take that as muddy for 3 months of the year. Been there 5 years....it has greatly improved in the 15 years I have known it.....but the course is a bit too easy and not really challenging. The flip side is I have made some good golf mates and am in the team for the +50's and mens team...so play alot of competition golf outside the club. There are only around 200 members and 10 single figure handicaps....with me being one of the lowest I quite often come home with the champers after the main comp on a Sunday.........The other course I am considering is a proper 18 hole...close to championship standard, which is next to the sea on sandy soil so can play all year round. We play alot of team comps there and it is really rather lovely. Of course the fees are almost double (€1,400) and would mean I start from scratch on a social point. We are even considering moving so I can be closer to this course and my wife to her favourite swimming pool. (10 mins) There are also some 'plus' golfers there, so winning the scratch prize is going to be challenging....

We are approaching retirement age so hopefully have a few more good years left to 'start' again. Other than tinkering in the garage and faffing around in the garden, golf is what I love and would play a comp every Sunday in the summer and probably two more times that week at other times....they also have excellent practise facilities and club house..........sound like I am talking myself into this even as I type....kind of therapy....

Just wondered if any of you kind golfers have started over again.......

Cheers,
M

 

[Mandofred]

Absolutely. If there is something that works better for me at another course.....I'm on my way. The course I'm likely to be at next year I'm already a member at (and another club)....practice facilities are crap. But they offer other things that make it worth my time/money.

 

[chico]

My current soon to be ex club have just reduced the budget for junior coaching from 500 to 0. Very short sighted imo.

 

[Crazyface]

As I have posted before, I am thinking of changing clubs....again. As I was out yesterday, and close to one I was thinking of moving to, I had a drive to it thinking I'd have a chat to their manager, yes they have a manager! Well, what a nice man. I interupted his work, and appologised, but he was keen to give me the full presentation of the club. OMG. They had something that I didn't know about. A room with a trackman, pool table and a dart board! Basically a golfers MAN CAVE! Plus all my problems I have about my place, they don't do and do everything properly!!!! Also, shhhhhh, he was happy to over ride certain things to get me in. I've got the form and will be dropping it in on Sunday morning as I'm going for a game there with a mate.

 

[KenL]

As I have posted before, I am thinking of changing clubs....again. As I was out yesterday, and close to one I was thinking of moving to, I had a drive to it thinking I'd have a chat to their manager, yes they have a manager! Well, what a nice man. I interupted his work, and appologised, but he was keen to give me the full presentation of the club. OMG. They had something that I didn't know about. A room with a trackman, pool table and a dart board! Basically a golfers MAN CAVE! Plus all my problems I have about my place, they don't do and do everything properly!!!! Also, shhhhhh, he was happy to over ride certain things to get me in. I've got the form and will be dropping it in on Sunday morning as I'm going for a game there with a mate.

Sounds good. Is it an owned club or a members club?
Joining fee? Bar levy?

 

[peld]

I am in similar dilemma this year too. I am about to enter my 7th year at my current club, which ive been a member since i restarted playing. Its really local (2 miles, 5 mins), and have a few pals as members (such as 2 neighbours). Got to know a few members too, and enjoy the winter league we have. I play summer wednesday night comps with a group of pals which are fun. We have two courses, a (proper) driving range, pitch and putt and small practice area. The courses are decent - a long "championship" course (7000 yrds in our comps) and a smaller "resort" course (5800 yards). It is probably the best in the area for winter golf - we dont really have winter greens, no fairway mats etc, and its decent value - £1300-1400 p.a. for two courses (plus some other perks like range balls, tea coffee, discounts etc).

Downside is it's not really a "club" per se, as its part of a hotel/leisure club. We get a lot of summer visitors, and the course is rarely more than in "ok" condition. The greens were good last summer but bunkers have been poor. Tee boxes can be rubbish too, as can some high traffic areas. There isnt much investment in the course and there are barely enough greenkeepers. There are a regular-ish comps in summer but im told the slots available this summer will reduce. There are no dedicated golf staff for handicaps/club mgmt which can be frustrating, and the golf pro is more for kids/learners vs a proper technical pro.

I have been on the waiting list at the most prestigious club in Edinburgh for a couple of years and there is a good chance I may get in this year. Its almost £2k p.a. with a £4k joining fee. Just one course but its in excellent condition - it probably has more green staff than my current club despite half the courses! Its a proper golf club with lots of dedicated staff, and puts a lot of investment in to the facilities (e.g. they spent a fortune recently upgrading changing rooms, several £m on the course, added a trackman studio, upgraded the practice facilities etc). They have a great bar and restaurant too, snooker room etc, have wonderful reciprocal deals with other clubs and have some great events (e.g. they go and play vs St Andrews each year) as well as social events. My kids got an offer for mini junior membership too this year, and it'd be good for them if i can get them more interested. Its a very old school club (one of the oldest clubs in the world), no riffraff but is making strides to modernise. Most members are there for life (many are very old!!)

About year ago i was dead set on joining but im on the fence now. Obviously it is more £, but id be losing a circle of friends, and most of all the new club isnt as convenient (its about 8 miles away but traffic can be a nightmare if i was travelling in the evening). I think it can be busy too, and im not sure how many comps they have (when i usually play its either a comp or a leisurely afternoon). However one of my current weds night pals is also on the waiting list and a few guys in work are already members.