Choice of club for next year.

[medwayjon]

After much deliberation and going to see several other clubs I have decided to remain at Gillingham Golf Club.

Despite the cons I have labelled here there are just as many pros keeping me there so will be signing up for 2009 tomorrow.

A mate of mine (not gillingham) made a great point to me by saying that there are similar problems at every private club.

The greens at Gillingham are absolutely incredible at the moment, we are still on tee's except par 3's and the course is looking amazing at the moment.

So looking forward to a 2009 full of promise, hopefully I will be able to win a couple of things and get the handicap down to say 14 or so by the end of the year.

 

[USER1999]

I think this is the right decision. You need to give it at least one more year, and hopefully you will get in with 'the right crowd' for you, and will have more fun and feel more involved.

Also, I haven't played it yet.

 

[HTL]

Also, I haven't played it yet.

I 2nd that, Early next year OK Jon? MVP is up for it, could do another Cobtree + Your club meet?

 

[Twire]

This is my second season at my present club, and I still feel a bit of an outsider although its slowly getting better.

I have cosidered going back to my old club. I was a member there for 11 years, and although I don't miss the club in the winter (Built on clay and very boggy) I do miss it in the summer....but more than that, I miss my old golfing mates.

Not sure of your reasons for looking around, but sometimes the grass is not always greener. Make sure you consider carefuly especialy if JF's are involved.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

On balance probably a good decision but make sure you register the problems with enetering competitions and people signing their cronies in your place. Unless someone makes a noise the practice will continue. Enjoy your year and I hope you make the handicap target and clean up in the comps. BTW I'm sure I can meet HTL somewhere and cadge a lift!!!

 

[Cernunnos]

Sometimes you can only play a course so many years before it gets boring, but there is much to be said for playing a course & being a member where the greens & fairways are playable near as damn 12 months of the year, especially if more than a fairweather golfer.

Joining fees are the main reason a lot of players don't try many different courses in their golfing life in the past & why some clubs seem to have a very said & stale atmosphere.

But for the Joining fees I'd have probably have played Burton (Bretby) Golf club right from the word go & Ironically would probably have maintained it without a joining fee trying to trap me, it was the joining fee that kept me away. Their loss.

Again with Branston its their extortionate joining fees & high subs that kept me from becoming a full member & now that I might probably have taken the plunge (probably in more ways than one in some months) the course was maybe a bit too familiar & no-longer seems to have the magic for me that it did the first time I played. Hence why I'm trying Lichfield, though I still have a soft spot for the Brailsford, even with its lack of the last 6 holes they still hadn't built when I left & the clicky nature of some of its members. Was a nice friendly layout with friendly staff.

I know one thing though I'f I moved down to the same part of the world My parents have just moved to it wouldn't be Sidmouth I'd be playing but AxeCliff. Fantastic views & great playing conditions, pity about all the crossing over fairways, but somehow part of the charm. Course guide a must. Makes it one of those courses where the GPS you'd want to navigate from some tees to green to tee would actually be TomTom rather than SkyCaddie, if you get my drift. Having said that Sidmouth is friendly & the clubhouse is warm & welcoming even if the course itself is too short to be classed as a proper course by many people its still challenging, but not what you'd call an all weather all year round course. And getting back to my initialpoints this has to be highest on the list I think for any course to be a member of.

I'd say though after reading what I have that you should stay at Gillingham for a little linger yet, especially with it playing well.

 

[OldWindy]

Probably a good choice although see if you can't get yourself on the committee and ruffle a few feathers!

 

[medwayjon]

The other thing is that I do have a great crowd of mates there who I play with midweek and go on society days with.

The problem with my mates is that they are all sunday golfers in terms of medal/casual play whereas my schedule makes me the only saturday golfer in the crowd.

As has been mentioned, I will make the necessary noises regarding the competition issues.

As for having a game down here, I can sort a society day out at Gillingham in the new year if we have enough interested parties!

 

[HTL]

Yep, any time Homer. I am getting quite excited at the amount of golf we are arranging for next year!

 

[Leftie]

Glad you are staying there Jon - at least for another year. I want to play it properly next time rather than hacking my way around like last time.

 

[medwayjon]

Having a game tomorrow at 8.00 (ouch) as have just cleared a window of time which should allow me 3.5 hours or so I hope.

Cant wait as the greens are so true and lovely its unbelieveable.

 

[flandango]

Not met you jon but would love a game, not to far from you either!!!

Let me know if you guys do meet up and if you need another.

 

[MVP]

I think your better off there mate for the money then joining west malling! The location is easier, I enjoyed playing the course too. I didnt see a joinging fee on there website? Is there one, as it fits into my price bracket there too!

 

[medwayjon]

No joining fee at Gillingham, no need to book tee-times.

Greens all year round except for severe, and I do mean severe, weather conditions.

 

[MVP]

So what do you pay monthly 74 quidish???

 

[medwayjon]

I think its 76 quid a month at the moment, thats pretty good in my eyes.

 

[theeaglehunter]

Glad you've relaxed about it now mate, by all accounts it doesn't sound like a bad golf club- they all have their ups and downs and whilst the lack of competitions may be a pain I am sure you can work round it and still enjoy your golf. Just make the most of what you have on offer, and by the sounds of it the course itself is good considering its condition this time of year. My club is also great at the moment, no temporary greens, no mats, no trolley bans and due to the excellent conditions of fairways no winter rules ie preferred lies. This is a huge plus for a golf club so in your case should out weigh the negatives you have. Enjoy your next year of membership

 

[MVP]

Come to think of it jon i may like to join the gills club as its in the location and price range of all the alternatives! But is the 2year references mandatory??

 

[medwayjon]

No lewis, references arent mandatory now.

If you were interested I would go down as your proposer for you though.

 

[MVP]

No lewis, references arent mandatory now.

If you were interested I would go down as your proposer for you though.

cheers jon!

I read on teh web site you nee 2 references with at least 2 yrs membership!