Criteria for joining a club

[mikepops]

I live in Cardiff, and am in the process of finding a club to join (see my Celtic Manor post).

I have only ever been a member of the club that I grew up playing on (Wycombe Heights in Bucks) That was an easy decision, as I took over my Dad's membership when he died in 2008.

Without an over-riding reason like that, I'm finding the decision of which club to join a tricky one down here. I have geographical and financial considerations, but apart from that I'm not sure even where to start.

Celtic Manor is my current frontrunner, but I was wondering how people settled on their clubs?

 

[Imurg]

You'll probably know the 3 I had to choose from Mike. Aylesbury Golf Centre, where I was a member, Aylesbury Vale and Aylesbury Park.
AGC is poor by comparison to the others so that was out. A fight between AV and AP came down to ease of playing, quality of the course, location, members, comps etc etc.
AP won because it's closer to home, is easier to get on most of the time, is not at all pretentious, would let me play weekend comps at a cost - I'm a weekday member and AV wouldn't allow it.
But the decision really came down to the quality of the course. AP has a good blend of holes, AV has some good ones but a few are ordinary. The finish at AP is long par 4, par 5, long par 4, against short par4, short par3, unreachable in 2 par5 at AV. For me the last 3 holes clinched it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

FIrstly the course needs to be challenging enough. If like me you tend to play the majority of your golf at home throughout the year you don't want something that'll be too easy especially in summer. Ideally it needs to be picturesque too as I'm sure it helps the overal enjoyment. The course needs to be well kept too especially the greens.

I'd need a full and varied competition diary. My club has the option of entering for a drawn time in the morning or you can arrange to roll up after the last booked time has gone out. It gives you a chance to play either with other members or with your mates (only applies to monthly stablrfords and medals - all trophy events are drawn). We also have the chance to play club matches home and away.

The great thing about Ascot is that you never have to book a tee time (unless their is a competition) and so you can roll upant any time and go straight up. Ideal; if you have an afternoon off work or like this afternoon you fancy a quick nine.

Next I'd look for decent practice facilities. I'm a keen practicer (do you think anyone has noticed?) and so a good range where I can hit off grass, a decent practice bunker and chipping and putting area area a must.

The clubhouse must be welcoming and the members and staff warm and friendly. Fortunately Ascot scores highly on this. Its almost like being down the local at weekends and the humour can be savage but newbies are warmly welcomed into the mix. The food is decent and the beers well kept (so I'm told).

It might seem quite a rigid list of requirements and there are probably other little bits and pieces I'd pick up on if I was looking around a place that would help/hinder my choice. However it is a hefty investment and so you need to be sure you've made the right choice

 

[jedsta20]

just play where you feel comforable and dont try to be something you're not.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

You'll probably know the 3 I had to choose from Mike. Aylesbury Golf Centre, where I was a member, Aylesbury Vale and Aylesbury Park.
AGC is poor by comparison to the others so that was out. A fight between AV and AP came down to ease of playing, quality of the course, location, members, comps etc etc.
AP won because it's closer to home, is easier to get on most of the time, is not at all pretentious, would let me play weekend comps at a cost - I'm a weekday member and AV wouldn't allow it.

But the decision really came down to the quality of the course. AP has a good blend of holes, AV has some good ones but a few are ordinary. The finish at AP is long par 4, par 5, long par 4, against short par4, short par3, unreachable in 2 par5 at AV. For me the last 3 holes clinched it.

I've enjoyed many many good rounds at Aylesbury Park.
My golf buddy lives at Fairford Leys, unfortunately he's now moved membership to Chiltern Forest. But your right about the finishing holes. We often had matches all tied going up the last and the 18th sorting it all out!!!!

 

[mikepops]

Thanks guys.

Imurg-I was grew up around Amersham, and rarely ventured up that way, but I've heard good things about Aylesbury Park.

Homer-thanks for that list, I'd been taking most of those factors into consideration but it's helped put a bit of structure to my decision making.