Course selection?

[Losttheplot]

Let's say your looking at moving golf clubs for whatever reason.

What is it you look for in a new course/club??
Is it specifics or just choose the one your mates play at? Location? Course quality etc etc etc??

 

[HomerJSimpson]

1) Accessibility - how easy is it to get a game. Ascot is a roll up private members course so just turn up and go out (unless there is a comp on of course)

2) Travelling time - it is 10 minutes by car or £5 in a cab from Ascot station and £11-12 from home so easy and cheap to get to

3) The course - will it be a challenge consistantly or is it too easy and will be come boring. Ascot is no pushover with driving paramount, long par 3's and plenty of trouble. It is only 5 years old so will continue to improve as the trees and planting mature.

4) Practice facilities - Can I work on my game. Ascot has a decent practice ground where you can play off grass, decent bunker, chipping area and putting green.

5) The members - is it a stuffy club or modern. Ascot for the most part is one big 19th hole where new members are welcomed. We do have some members who have been with the club for many years and are stuck in their ways but overall the craic is pretty good

6) Clubhouse - it is only 6 years old and so in good order.

All in all I am very happy with everything. As with any club I have some ideas of what I'd like to see but am sensible enough to realise they all cost money and so aren't going to happen soon (if at all)

 

[CliveW]

I will be leaving my current club at the end of this year as it is losing its exclusivity and turning into more of a Pay and Play because of the number of visitors being allowed on at cheap rates. If I want to play I would be cheaper to use the offers for visitors. (If I play it less than 25 rounds in the year). These visitors don't show respect for the course and drive buggies over greens, don't repair pitchmarks or replace divots and it can now take more than 5 hours to play a round at weekends because of them.
To this end I have now joined one of Perthshire's top clubs which is only 10 minutes further by car from home and not costing much more either. I have the choice of three courses all of which are in fantastic condition, a new clubhouse with excellent facilities and friendly members.
Let's hope it stays that way.