Mel Smooth
Hacker
My wife works for the council - might try my luck at some free council tax…. 
Club Staff having free golf?
- Thread starter Lucifer MorningStar
- Start date
twrmgoat
New member
Our staff get free golf, including access to all competitions. They are not full members in the sense that they do not have a vote at AGM fir example.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
If she works at a sport or leisure facility she probably would have free use.My wife works for the council - might try my luck at some free council tax….
Makes sense to keep your staff fit and happy.
If she does not she would probably be able to receive some form of discounted use
Ando
New member
It's nearly 20 years since I last worked at a golf club, but part of the appeal was getting free membership (full playing rights & could enter all comps too). Started off as a teenager washing pots, became one of the 'chefs', worked the bar and also spent a summer on the greens staff.
After going away to uni was always great to pick up a couple of shifts when home for Easter and get confirmation you'd be needed when back for the summer - so could get free golf. Was also worth keeping minimal regular evening shifts going after graduating and getting a full time day job.
Besides, most of the young lads who worked in the pro shop and managed tee times/green fees at this proprietary club became mates. Had such a free golf policy not existed, wonder if they'd have enforced full green fees for all staff - especially those that cooked their meals while they were working?
After going away to uni was always great to pick up a couple of shifts when home for Easter and get confirmation you'd be needed when back for the summer - so could get free golf. Was also worth keeping minimal regular evening shifts going after graduating and getting a full time day job.
Besides, most of the young lads who worked in the pro shop and managed tee times/green fees at this proprietary club became mates. Had such a free golf policy not existed, wonder if they'd have enforced full green fees for all staff - especially those that cooked their meals while they were working?
rulie
Head Pro
My summer job in high school and during University was at the local golf club. Started in golf shop, then greens crew, then spent four summers in the clubhouse - golf shop, kitchen, bartender. Great experiences in meeting and dealing with customers from all walks of life.It's nearly 20 years since I last worked at a golf club, but part of the appeal was getting free membership (full playing rights & could enter all comps too). Started off as a teenager washing pots, became one of the 'chefs', worked the bar and also spent a summer on the greens staff.
After going away to uni was always great to pick up a couple of shifts when home for Easter and get confirmation you'd be needed when back for the summer - so could get free golf. Was also worth keeping minimal regular evening shifts going after graduating and getting a full time day job.
Besides, most of the young lads who worked in the pro shop and managed tee times/green fees at this proprietary club became mates. Had such a free golf policy not existed, wonder if they'd have enforced full green fees for all staff - especially those that cooked their meals while they were working?
Those jobs also included free playing privileges and ability to participate in club competitions, up to and including club championships.
Used to describe my job as "assistant pro", "assistant cook" and "assistant bartender".
Imo, that's the way it should be for club staff - not free club memberships, but playing privileges and ability to compete in club competitions. It's an incentive.
Mel Smooth
Hacker
She works in childrens social services. She might get acess to reduced gym memberships but if she does, she chooses not to use them as she's a member of an independent gym, our nearest sports centre was closed a few years back to due to RAAC anyway.
She does have a blue light card though, which gets her some pretty useful savings.
Swango1980
Well-known member
TfL workers get free travel on the TfL network
Ok then, for clarity, give free membership & save £8,000 in salary. It’s more than paid for itself in the first year - when you add in the NI employer’s contributions & pension payments you’re at almost £9,000.
Your club does it one way, other clubs look at it differently. I’m looking at it from a financial perspective, not from “the members won’t like it.” As for the, “they go fishing…” that’s an irrelevance and deflection. Although you could say definitely give it to them, they won’t use it anyway AND you save money in their next pay rises, e.g. if inflation is 5%, give a pay rise of 4% but include free membership.
A decent Treasurer/Accountant could put the meat on the bones of how much could be shaved off the salaries budget, inc NI & pension contributions. But at the end of the day it’s up to each club to run their finances as fits their business model.
Mandofred
Well-known member
Each club can do what they want....they just need to make sure the finances work out ok. Generally speaking, I'm against these kind of benefits. Council workers, police, teachers etc.....just pay them a decent wage, there is no reason they should get "extra's" just because of their job. But.....it is still going to happen.
KenL
Tour Rookie
Teachers get nothing for nothing. Many buy equipment for school.
GreiginFife
Money List Winner
If she isn’t already, she can join the CSSC (Civil Service Sports Council) they get loads of discounts across multiple sectors. Most of the folk that I work with at my CS client are members and rave about it.
kp17
Newbie
Greenkeepers in my opinion for all the work they do to the course should always be given free membership, or at very least be a high % discounted fees
The Fader
Newbie
I think some folks need to appreciate the difference in free golf ( the original premise) and free membership.
Mandofred
Well-known member
Tell me about it.....I'm a retired teacher.
craigstardis1976
Head Pro
I am astounded anyone would not let club staff play the course on their off days. Each of them are an ambassador for the club in their own way and if they play golf they should be as familiar with the golf course as the members are. And yes, let them have a handicap and play in competitions. What is this, the 1970's where Wing-Commander Lupin Horatio Knothyplace Cutherbertson was the red faced Club Secretary in a regimental blazer 4 inches too tight wanting to make sure "standards were kept up."
There are not many perks working in the golf industry. To be petty over something like this is ridiculous, imho.
Now, letting the pro into the clubhouse, tut...tut...hope they still have to collect their lunch from the backdoor of the kitchens. And for God's sake don't let the lady members on the course before 2pm on weekends. Got to keep up the image of the club, don't you know, old boy?
There are not many perks working in the golf industry. To be petty over something like this is ridiculous, imho.
Now, letting the pro into the clubhouse, tut...tut...hope they still have to collect their lunch from the backdoor of the kitchens. And for God's sake don't let the lady members on the course before 2pm on weekends. Got to keep up the image of the club, don't you know, old boy?
Parsaregood
Head Pro
Wow can’t actually believe what I’ve read on this topic. Imagine working at/for a GC and not being able to use the facilities as part of the benefits of working there. If you were a golfer you would just go to a club where they offered use of facilities of which there are many. Some people are just backwards
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Coming back to this post which highlights it all perfectly
There is a difference between being given free memberships and be able to have a round of golf without paying or reduced etc
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
There is...
And it's up to individual clubs as to which way they go....no right or wrong answer here..
And it's up to individual clubs as to which way they go....no right or wrong answer here..
Parsaregood
Head Pro
If an employee of a GC has to pay any fee for using the course that’s absolutely ridiculous. Certainly if it were me I would leave ASAP. You do know greenkeepers can access most golf courses for free using the BIGGA card ? Imagine being able to play neighbouring courses for free but having to pay any kind of fee to play the one you work at
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
The GKs that play golf at our golf club are members of the club
Any other that plays its invited with games with the club and they don’t pay
