Concessionary rates ?

[RGuk]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

I'd support any initiave to offer reduced yearly fees to those who cannot enjoy regular golf. Probably doesn't stretch to Police or the Clergy though!!

 

[GB72]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

Wasn't the purpose of municipal courses to provide affordable golf for all?

 

[RGuk]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

Wasn't the purpose of municipal courses to provide affordable golf for all?

Yes, but this isn't quite the question. It makes sense to at least make some attempt to get "worthy" folk into private clubs if there are some good/understandable reasons why it might be unfair to charge the full whack.

Some Vicars work for a pittance, if I ran a course/club, I'd be very keen to attract a poor golfing vicar who I knew would never play certain days.

Look at Jersey (the island). Money alone can't get you a home there, but if you bring benefit to the community, you might get in with only modest means. I'd offer some discount to anyone in "essential" jobs (health, emergency, armed forces, etc.) if they wanted to join but couldn't justify the full fee and would be hard pushed to play enough to cover the green fee for the year. Then again, I'd probably offer discounts to anyone who wouldn't join otherwise, as long as the arrangement wasn't abused.

 

[theeaglehunter]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

The police, get concessions, for what? Being completely and utterly inept, useluss and a bunch of fairies?

I have absolutely NO time for the old bill whatsoever. We had £29,000 worth of vandalism done to our cars, the law took 2 days to attend, took the CCTV, nicked the little scrote who did it, he admitted it, plod decided that a caution was the best resolution.

I shall go on.

We have a problem with pikies near us. I witnessed said diddy-coys hooking a length of chain around concrete posts, attaching the chain to their tow-bar and ripping the posts out to get their caravans onto private land. 2 Coppers were watching and ignoring it. I went spare at them, they said there was nothing they could do as no offence was being committed (utter crap), I told them they were scared tossers and they threatened to nick me.

A friend of mine is old bill, they were pursuing a stolen car, it went into a pikey camp in stockbury and they were told to end the pursuit. Again, the old bill are wimps unless it is 20 of them with CS and battons.

When I worked on the door a guy whacked a bar-maid and broke her nose because she wouldn't serve him as he was lashed. He then bottled another doorman. I gave him a bit of a dig and was lifted for it.

Oh and as for PCSO's, ha ha ha ha ha, there is one down here who thinks he is some sort of hardman but ran away from a couple of hoodies who egged and flowered him, burst into tears and threatened to quit.

Sorry to rant and apologies to any coppers who work for a decent force.

I agree Jon. Sounds like the Police in my area.

 

[shanker]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

Why should policemen and army colonels get their golf cheaper than the rest of us? Juniors, students and the unemployed have a right to a reduction as their income is limited or non-existent.

 

[billyg]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

Yes, but this isn't quite the question. It makes sense to at least make some attempt to get "worthy" folk into private clubs if there are some good/understandable reasons why it might be unfair to charge the full whack.

Some Vicars work for a pittance, if I ran a course/club, I'd be very keen to attract a poor golfing vicar who I knew would never play certain days.

Problem is RGUK that worthy is as worthy does. It's a nice idea but not all that glitters is made of gold - see MWJ's point on policing.

Perhaps one compromise would to offer concessions based on notable acts of distinction such as the decorated soldier or a highly peer rated teacher. One can neither buy nor conspire for such rewards and they are conferred on merit alone.

There are so many potential groups that could readily make a call on a blanket concession that it is almost impossible to draw the line. All nurses but no firemen for example?

Perhaps if one wished to apply it such an option in a broader way perhaps government could offer it as slight supplimental or 'weighting' for those interested but even there it would be a fair argument that it would not benefit those uninterested in the sport.

As far as the 'Individual of Distinction' idea earlier , I think the golf industry could gain some valuable PR by invoking such an system itself with maybe ten winners a year selected by an R&A sub-commitee perhaps?

Prizes to be sponsored jointly by manufacturers and tournament sponsors.

Something like the 'The Volvo PGA Hobby Golfer of Merit Award' anyone?

 

[Parmo]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

I would agree to the armed forces, but I beleive they have their own courses in some places. In the US they have them, Tiger played at one until they kicked him out.

I wouldnt offer this to the public services, you will end up offering everyone from police officers to job centre workers.

 

[RGuk]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

There are so many potential groups that could readily make a call on a blanket concession that it is almost impossible to draw the line. All nurses but no firemen for example?

I realise this, of course.
Well thought out post, billyg, as we have come to expect.

For what it's worth, green fees (around here) are yet to reach the levels where it's hard to imagine someone not finding the money if they really want. £450-500 is still a good deal even if you only play 40 times, say.

The issue of ordinary folk being priced out of markets is a more worrying concern (here's me with my socialist hat on).
Something has gone very wrong with the costs of certain things, and I get depressed at the way money seems to circulate now around our society. Poorer folk around here that want to play golf CAN do it at reasonable expense. Most of this social group I would rather not have at my club, shocking (maybe), I know, but not everyone on low income should be excluded from everything, like affordable housing and being able to run a car, visiting theatre/cinema/arts etc. Some of this stuff is getting way out of hand. In this vicinity, an average income leaves almost no money....I dread to think how the south-east is these days. It's not a worry to me, but if I did own a golf club, I'd look at each application on it's merit and possibly extend the "club" (of members) to include certain less fortunate folk.

 

[MVP]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

The police, get concessions, for what? Being completely and utterly inept, useluss and a bunch of fairies?

I have absolutely NO time for the old bill whatsoever. We had £29,000 worth of vandalism done to our cars, the law took 2 days to attend, took the CCTV, nicked the little scrote who did it, he admitted it, plod decided that a caution was the best resolution.

I shall go on.

We have a problem with pikies near us. I witnessed said diddy-coys hooking a length of chain around concrete posts, attaching the chain to their tow-bar and ripping the posts out to get their caravans onto private land. 2 Coppers were watching and ignoring it. I went spare at them, they said there was nothing they could do as no offence was being committed (utter crap), I told them they were scared tossers and they threatened to nick me.

A friend of mine is old bill, they were pursuing a stolen car, it went into a pikey camp in stockbury and they were told to end the pursuit. Again, the old bill are wimps unless it is 20 of them with CS and battons.

When I worked on the door a guy whacked a bar-maid and broke her nose because she wouldn't serve him as he was lashed. He then bottled another doorman. I gave him a bit of a dig and was lifted for it.

Oh and as for PCSO's, ha ha ha ha ha, there is one down here who thinks he is some sort of hardman but ran away from a couple of hoodies who egged and flowered him, burst into tears and threatened to quit.

Sorry to rant and apologies to any coppers who work for a decent force.

I absolutely second that . the old bill are useless.

 

[viscount17]

Re: Concessionary rates ?

How will you determine which members of the Armed Forces will get concessionary rates? They don't all serve in Iran/Afghanistan - many of them won't ever go there.
If Iran/Afghanistan is the criteria, what about Navy guys who may be at sea for extended periods - ah but not all of them do that either (knew one Chief who managed to get out of being drafted for 7 years).
Nice idea, but as ever, the devil is in the detail.

(ex FAA, spent most of my time ashore (bl**dy Labour kept scrapping ships) but did the Falkland's - do I qualify?)

 

[Leftie]

were granted concessions on annual membership and daily green fees. Should they be reinstated in private clubs throughout the UK ?

I know of some clubs, probably hundreds nation wide, that have different catagories of membership to suit individuals requirements. For instance you can join as a full 7 day member for about £900 pa and pay no green fees or join on a different scheme for £100 pa and pay a green fee when you play which is discounted by 40%.

Seems the perfect answer for those who don't play a lot, can't afford or justifty full membership, or want to be a bit nomadic but still be a "club member" who can play in official competitions and get a genuine CONGU handicap.