Club Types: Private, Members or Council! WHats better and why?

[Fader]

When I first start playing as a member of a club almost 3 years to the day, I started out at my local council owned muni and loved the membership I played with their. The reason that I left at the start of this year was down to a few things in that you could gaurantee that between November & February the course would be closed, plus the fact the way the council are now running the membership means less chance to play as priority is given to green fess.

So I looked elsewhere and settled on The Ridge, a privately owned club with a challenging layout and was sold on the fact of the promise of the facilities and how much competition there was and how easy to get a game! I wasn't the only one a fellow forumer did the same and 6 months in bot of us are looking for a new club, and not because of the course but because the way its run.

So next step is to look for a new club and I'm now thinking perhaps a members club is the way to go, a club run for the members by members committee with a secretary and pro... Is this the way to go what are forumers experiences any help needed and wanted.

 

[Foxholer]

They all seem to have their advantages and disadvantages!

I've never been a member of 'members' club, though I have played at quite a few.

The 2 I've been 'happiest' with have been owned be a single person, run with a very 'Club' feel, where you have quite direct access to management to report/resolve any issues.

Hands-off commercial setups do make blunders like your Club Champs disaster. Council courses just don't feel 'Club-ey'. Maintenance is normally very good, though even more out of 'mmber's' control than normal.

 

[duncan mackie]

I honestly don't think there's a formulae to cover these issues, all of the different operational structures will interact in different ways with the membership, and in cases where there is a club body and seperate ownership the club bodies themselves vary hugely!

There are also elements of the club premises, and services, that contribute (or not) to the clubby feel overall.

From your posts you have a very clear idea of what you are looking for in a club, it won't be hard to find it but it won't be at the cheaper end of the golfing market.

btw, I took the inference from one of your recent posts that the course was particularily set up for your club championships - your description matches my experiences of playing that course every summer!

 

[Canary_Yellow]

It's horses for courses really, I love the fact that I can just turn up and play at my place (which is a members club) without ever needing to book a tee time (except Sunday mornings). Whereas my old man’s course is a big corporate run type of place, with 4 sets of 9 holes, but he loves the fact that he can look on the booking system and see what course is busy when and plot his way round a nice quiet set of 18.

The one thing both clubs have in common though, is a friendly atmosphere with lots of very well run competitions catering for everyone’s tastes – there are also plenty of roll-up groups at both.

I don’t think this is something that comes down to members v company style club.

Have you considered Wrotham Heath? That’s a members place I believe. Bearstead too – although probably a little more pricey, but I don’t know for certain. Mid-Kent is decent, although probably quite expensive and I’m not sure how easy to join. Another that I like is Redlibbets – don’t know what it’s like from the perspective of being a member – but I like the course.

 

[Fader]

I honestly don't think there's a formulae to cover these issues, all of the different operational structures will interact in different ways with the membership, and in cases where there is a club body and seperate ownership the club bodies themselves vary hugely!

There are also elements of the club premises, and services, that contribute (or not) to the clubby feel overall.

From your posts you have a very clear idea of what you are looking for in a club, it won't be hard to find it but it won't be at the cheaper end of the golfing market.

btw, I took the inference from one of your recent posts that the course was particularily set up for your club championships - your description matches my experiences of playing that course every summer!

I think you right i'm not giong to find it at the cheaper end of the spectrum but as long as I'm happy with the environment and the way the club welcomes people then I don't mind that as it'll be VFM for me.

The set up of the course though whilst it was set up to penalise even the good shots into greens which IMO isn't fair on a lot of the golfers i could actually live with and adapt to because the lay out is one I enjoy. My issue really is the way the place is run and just doesn't seem to worry about what the members want just how much £ they can get through the door sadly

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

Tuff one this.
If the social side is important to you,(it is for me) then i would suggest a private members club. BUT do some research first. There's no point whinging about daft rules once you've paid your money.

I've been very lucky with the club i'am at now. I have been made to feel welcome by just about everyone, and met some cracking people. In fact i've played more golf in the last 3 mth than i did in 12 at the last place. So for me its private members.
I honestly can't see myself going anywhere else. :thup:

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

When I first start playing as a member of a club almost 3 years to the day, I started out at my local council owned muni and loved the membership I played with their. The reason that I left at the start of this year was down to a few things in that you could gaurantee that between November & February the course would be closed, plus the fact the way the council are now running the membership means less chance to play as priority is given to green fess.

So I looked elsewhere and settled on The Ridge, a privately owned club with a challenging layout and was sold on the fact of the promise of the facilities and how much competition there was and how easy to get a game! I wasn't the only one a fellow forumer did the same and 6 months in bot of us are looking for a new club, and not because of the course but because the way its run.

So next step is to look for a new club and I'm now thinking perhaps a members club is the way to go, a club run for the members by members committee with a secretary and pro... Is this the way to go what are forumers experiences any help needed and wanted.

I think you need to row your own boat on this, there are too many variables to say which one is right for you, I have been a member at a muni club and a private members club. For me the PMC is the best option, I like the atmosphere of the club, being able to have a beer and a chat with the secretary and to have a real input into the club. After 20 years membership I am still very content and satisfied with how things are. I have played at corporate clubs but have never felt comfortable at having to check in etc, just me but I don't like it.

 

[Fader]

It's horses for courses really, I love the fact that I can just turn up and play at my place (which is a members club) without ever needing to book a tee time (except Sunday mornings). Whereas my old man’s course is a big corporate run type of place, with 4 sets of 9 holes, but he loves the fact that he can look on the booking system and see what course is busy when and plot his way round a nice quiet set of 18.

The one thing both clubs have in common though, is a friendly atmosphere with lots of very well run competitions catering for everyone’s tastes – there are also plenty of roll-up groups at both.

I don’t think this is something that comes down to members v company style club.

Have you considered Wrotham Heath? That’s a members place I believe. Bearstead too – although probably a little more pricey, but I don’t know for certain. Mid-Kent is decent, although probably quite expensive and I’m not sure how easy to join. Another that I like is Redlibbets – don’t know what it’s like from the perspective of being a member – but I like the course.

That one little bit is the key factor in everything for me. Theres been a lot of shambolic goings on with the running of the place upto the point now where 90% of the membership don't even play comps, so many people say how they used to play in everything but now because the way its run don't is unreal.. We're getting a maximum of 20 people enter into medals! The pairs greensomes this coming weeked has 5 groups in it so the assistant as to play as a marker for one of them as they're so badly organised and run.

We're meant to be able to just turn up and play as well but can't because they book out the tee times on a weekend morning to green fees!

I'm heading down to look at Bearsted as my brother is member there and really likes it so is a definite possibilty for me as is Wrotham as its literally 10minutes from where I work so summer golf would be easy. I'm going to look at the area to see whats about but a few have mentioned Mid Kent so will have a look at there to.

 

[Bratty]

I'm playing a Pro-Am at The Addington on Friday, and the pro from Kings Hill (which could be right up your street) will be there. Want me to speak to him about membership options and how the club runs? I can hopefully let you know on Sunday.

 

[Fader]

I'm playing a Pro-Am at The Addington on Friday, and the pro from Kings Hill (which could be right up your street) will be there. Want me to speak to him about membership options and how the club runs? I can hopefully let you know on Sunday.

that'll be champion if you can do that as its another that isn't far from where I work. I'll confirm the shift patterns this afternoon so hopefully i'll be able to make sunday

 

[harpo_72]

I have been a member at two private clubs and now a members club. I won't do private again if I have the choice. Simply because they mug you, they take your money up front and then grab all the green fees they can, which is fair enough as its a valid business plan, just be aware this is the bottom line ! The members club is a different kettle of fish, I selected my club because of the high green fees, I was fed up of having to book tee times and getting stuck behind people who were golf clueless. The net result is few green fees and the roll ups are accommodating. The course itself is run well but I would say that you get a bit of the over polite to the staff attitude, in regards the green keeper does seem to do what he likes. Having been made redundant twice I really have no emotional qualms about telling someone to do as I want or find another job. That may seem harsh but as an employee you do as your employer tells you, not the other way round.
The cost of membership is almost double but I have more available facilities, I hate the driving range attitude where you have to buy a bucket of balls, if I wanted to do that I would go to a range. A practice ground is a practice ground and you should all be able to hit your own balls, after all it is part of the membership facilities. As for food yes nothing too complex (ham,egg and chips is fine) a good bar and nice staff are great, but no deal breaker I can just go home.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

My (very) local course is a council run jobbie....Poult Wood in Tonbridge (Kent). It's a fantastic course, always busy, well maintained and a credit to the people who run it - but is very much a pay and play course, no membership to talk of.

I joined (via the loyalty scheme) a challenging little 9 hole course in East Sussex called Boars Head. The layout is a real test, the competitions were good but the course was let down by poor greens and a couple of obnoxious members.

I've now just joined The Kent and Surrey Golf club - a promising championship grade course which will be a real belter in time to come.

Each course has its own merits and its place for all kinds of players.

 

[Canary_Yellow]

My (very) local course is a council run jobbie....Poult Wood in Tonbridge (Kent). It's a fantastic course, always busy, well maintained and a credit to the people who run it - but is very much a pay and play course, no membership to talk of.

I joined (via the loyalty scheme) a challenging little 9 hole course in East Sussex called Boars Head. The layout is a real test, the competitions were good but the course was let down by poor greens and a couple of obnoxious members.

I've now just joined The Kent and Surrey Golf club - a promising championship grade course which will be a real belter in time to come.

Each course has its own merits and its place for all kinds of players.

I also live in Tonbridge. Poult Wood is excellent for a council run facility, I only ever really play the par 3 these days – I think I actually prefer it to the full course. The full course has a nice start and finish, but it’s a bit boring in the middle.

I was tempted to play at The Kent and Surrey Golf Club recently – there was a groupon deal which made it ludicrously cheap. Mixed reviews on here though from people that have previously played it – good to hear that it might be returning to a decent standard!

 

[Holty]

I'm playing a Pro-Am at The Addington on Friday, and the pro from Kings Hill (which could be right up your street) will be there. Want me to speak to him about membership options and how the club runs? I can hopefully let you know on Sunday.

Kings Hill is great for competitions - they are really well subscribed. I would say that the tee booking system can be a pain - for a weekend round at a decent time in the morning you need to have logged on within 30 seconds of the tee times being released.

 

[Richuk123]

Each to there own on this one, but my view is you have to be one of the 3 and not a mixture.

I know some people who are members of Bromsgrove GC , which is a mixture of Member/Public. Now, the setup there is great, lovely bar , dining and a great range, plus the course is really solid and plays really well. Some great holes like 2,8,12 and the last 3 are belting, BUT my friends have said they have entered a medals / stablefords and regularly get paired up into 4balls with 2 green fee payers who play off different tees and have no concept that the others are in a comp, and they say it's off putting.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I also live in Tonbridge. Poult Wood is excellent for a council run facility, I only ever really play the par 3 these days – I think I actually prefer it to the full course. The full course has a nice start and finish, but it’s a bit boring in the middle.

I was tempted to play at The Kent and Surrey Golf Club recently – there was a groupon deal which made it ludicrously cheap. Mixed reviews on here though from people that have previously played it – good to hear that it might be returning to a decent standard!

It was initially a groupon deal that made me go.... its rough round the edges but from the 1st time I played could tell it had the makings of a good course.

If you dont get bogged down by minor things I can recommend giving it a go.

 

[Odvan]

Tuff one this.
If the social side is important to you,(it is for me) then i would suggest a private members club. BUT do some research first. There's no point whinging about daft rules once you've paid your money.

I've been very lucky with the club i'am at now. I have been made to feel welcome by just about everyone, and met some cracking people. In fact i've played more golf in the last 3 mth than i did in 12 at the last place. So for me its private members.
I honestly can't see myself going anywhere else. :thup:

Mr Monster, I'm a resident of ye olde Bury and want to 'shop around' this year and over winter with the purpose of becoming a member somewhere. Where is it you play?

 

[duncan mackie]

My (very) local course is a council run jobbie....Poult Wood in Tonbridge (Kent). It's a fantastic course, always busy, well maintained and a credit to the people who run it - but is very much a pay and play course, no membership to talk of.

I joined (via the loyalty scheme) a challenging little 9 hole course in East Sussex called Boars Head. The layout is a real test, the competitions were good but the course was let down by poor greens and a couple of obnoxious members.

I've now just joined The Kent and Surrey Golf club - a promising championship grade course which will be a real belter in time to come.

Each course has its own merits and its place for all kinds of players.

Good luck with the Kent and Surrey - having been a member at Poult Wood for 27 years I played it (Edenbridge) under all it's guises until a few years ago - it had good times and bad, but has never really gone forward. I understand the owners have currently benefitted from lucrative spoil dumping contracts; nominally to be used to further develop the course, I really hope this progresses...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We are a private members club but I think we have a wonderful balance. The clubhouse has a great atmosphere and the banter is fierce but there are also quitter areas and somewhere to eat properly. There is no need to book tee times aside from competitions and so you can rock up after work and just go out, come back and there will always be someone to have a beer and a chat with

 

[rickg]

but there are also quitter areas

Is this where you go if you have N/R'd??ne: