Course or Club?

[GB72]

As I have said on here a few times, I am not 100% happy with the club I am at. The competitions are not drawn, there are no weekend rollups and the atmosphere is a little stuffy. At the moment it feels that it is a place that I go to play golf rather than a club that I am a member of. I certainly feel less and less inclined to spend time up there outside of being on the course. Unfortunately, that is pretty much the scene at all of the decent clubs near me. Certainly it was similar at Stoke Rochford and the only other full course option of Belton Woods which is a hotel course and so even worse when it comes to feeling part of a club. The current set up at my current club suits the long term members who all like to play in their own groups and know everybody anyway. It also suits the retired members as there is plenty on during the week when they all play most of their golf. What it does not suit is the newish member who can only play at weekends.
So, what are my other options? I could join my old playing partners at Stableford Park but it is a pain to get to and involves half an hour in the car each way. Not ideal. There are plenty of courses within about an hour or so drive but, again, not really ideal.
The other option is to join the local 9 hole course. The place is far more relaxed and a better mix of people playing there. It has a real family atmosphere. The problem is that it is a 9 hole course, mainly par 3 holes with the odd par 4 thrown in. On that basis, whilst it is fun to play every now and again, it is really not going to be that interesting in the long term.
Really at a bit of a crossroads here as my motivation to play has hit an all time low over the winter. I am desperate to find a club that feels like home but nothing near me really fits the bill. So, the decision is, do I chose the course or the club as a priority. If we get in a new pro, would he have any influence over these sorts of things to bring in some sort of change.

 

[Region3]

I know the theory is a resort course wouldn't be good for feeling like belonging to a club, but have you actually heard that this is the case with Belton Woods.

I have no idea one way or the other, but it would be a shame to dismiss it out of hand if it was based on assumptions rather than first hand reports.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

How often do you play? I know you must live near Grantham but how far would you travel?

Sudbrooke is a good club but I get what your saying about it needs to be more interesting.

Does Stapleford park have a good membership base, whenever I have played there its empty and almost soulless, always like playing the course and in the summer its always in good condition.

Have you looked at flexible membership like South Kyme, Lincoln etc. South Kyme is a good members club.

Sleaford cant be too far away from you and they have a decent social side as well as the course been challenging and the fees seem very reasonable.

 

[GB72]

Actually live in Grantham about 2 miles from Belton Park so it is ideally located. Stapleford was only an option because I enjoyed playing with my old group. Always good banter. May need to consider further afield I suppose

 

[Hobbit]

I left my last club, of nearly 30yrs membership, for a new golfing challenge. I left a stack of fantastic friends, who I now only see occasionally, because golf is the main reason I wanted to move. The new(over a year now) is quieter after the round but there's enough good guys kicking around to still get enough golf in for me. Bizarrely, the social functions are more to my taste at the new place.

 

[GB72]

This is another aspect in that the social functions are not to my taste. Always the same, dinner and dance format. This is all well and good but the same people buy up all the tickets and there is few of my age in the club in any event. For new years eve, there were 100 tickets and only 3 people in front of me in the queue and so it should have been easy. When I get to the front I am lucky to get any as the committee, captain and lady captain get a table each (30 tickets) then the 3 people in front bought 2 whole tables each leaving only 10 tickets..

 

[Puter Putter]

I live down south near London mostly but spend a little time in Grantham from time to time when not busy elsewhere. Belton Park is lovely, people in the area generally very polite - compared to around London that's for sure - whats not to like?

 

[ScienceBoy]

I've done club over course before and it really was not worth it, my golf suffers and I lacked the drive to play outside organised events as the course was so poor it wasn't fun.

I would choose course over club now if I had to lean one way.

 

[AmandaJR]

I guess it's a matter of your priorities and how important the social aspect is to you. Personally I'd have the course as my priority but then I'm an unsociable so and so and happy enough playing golf on my own!!

30 mins drive is my limit but, if you only play weekends, and there is somewhere that satisfies both elements then perhaps it's not such a pain after all...

 

[Slicer30]

Greg,

I have recently joined a new club. Whilst the new club has more rules in the clubhouse which I have to get used to, the course offers a greater challenge. The new challenge has sparked a love for the game which was dying at my old club. I was even questioning renewing at any course at all.

I would say go for the course that will challenge your game the most.

 

[Franco]

I find what you say interesting. I play just down the A1 from you and all I want to do, is to play competitive, as against social, golf. I have two games during the week with the Seniors and most weekends there is a competition. I am not looking for a social life at my golf club. We lose some members who want more social activity, but gain others that wish to play golf, especially if they don't know anyone.

As someone who was new to golf 15 months ago, I feel fortunate that I found a club that meets all my needs and it was only the second one that I looked at.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

I find what you say interesting. I play just down the A1 from you and all I want to do, is to play competitive, as against social, golf. I have two games during the week with the Seniors and most weekends there is a competition. I am not looking for a social life at my golf club. We lose some members who want more social activity, but gain others that wish to play golf, especially if they don't know anyone.

As someone who was new to golf 15 months ago, I feel fortunate that I found a club that meets all my needs and it was only the second one that I looked at.

What club are you at? Do you have a comp every weekend?

 

[3565]

It's always the course for me, the clubs social aspect is not important but since I'm a loner im not really interested. I'm guessing you play at Belton Park and its a great course with great greens everytime I play it. But if it don't suit your needs then it's pastures new.

 

[fundy]

Greg,

I have recently joined a new club. Whilst the new club has more rules in the clubhouse which I have to get used to, the course offers a greater challenge. The new challenge has sparked a love for the game which was dying at my old club. I was even questioning renewing at any course at all.

I would say go for the course that will challenge your game the most.

Where have you gone to?

 

[Slicer30]

The one club which I said was not intention in November - Ellesborough.

Its a nice 7 min drive from my new house (moved last summer).

Fast greens and bunkers have caught me out so far, but enjoyed every round so far. Played 3 comps in february and met a lot of friendly members already. I enjoyed my time at Aylesbury Park but glad I went for the move.

Let me know if you fancy a round, was meant to play with imurg and fragger today, but course work had closed off 9 holes.

 

[fundy]

The one club which I said was not intention in November - Ellesborough.

Its a nice 7 min drive from my new house (moved last summer).

Fast greens and bunkers have caught me out so far, but enjoyed every round so far. Played 3 comps in february and met a lot of friendly members already. I enjoyed my time at Aylesbury Park but glad I went for the move.

Let me know if you fancy a round, was meant to play with imurg and fragger today, but course work had closed off 9 holes.

I thought thats where you may have gone, hope you enjoy the switch! Would love a game at some point, a bit under the weather currently but be good to sort something out further down the line

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It has to be a combination of both for me. We are arguably the most unroyal Royal club around and the banter in the bar is great alongside a course that is getting better. The greens are coming back to where they were four or five years back and our greenkeeper has done a great job in the two and a bit years. I couldn't play somewhere where there was no atmosphere in the 19th after a round and that's as necessary as a good course to play

 

[Merv_swerve]

Actually live in Grantham about 2 miles from Belton Park so it is ideally located. Stapleford was only an option because I enjoyed playing with my old group. Always good banter. May need to consider further afield I suppose

Is Newark too far?
I have joined this year to try it as its just a few minutes from home (no joining fee). There is a fiddle every Saturday during the winter and I'm waiting to see what summer brings as I understand there's medals every Thur , Sat.
The ones I have attended have been extremely friendly, good numbers and fun.

It feels like there is definitely an element of old guard at the club, but the mob I have played with are generally working men who love their golf.

Got my last comp at Norwood this week and kind of missing the craic and place already! I am a bit torn about it and am mulling over next year already.

 

[Franco]

What club are you at? Do you have a comp every weekend?

Not every weekend, generally three a month.