Do I change my home course or not?

[Patster1969]

Have been a member at Sherfield Oaks for about 1 & 1/2 years now. Originally joined as my step dad is a member there, it has two 18's so you can usually get on with no issues plus a guy that I used to work with also joined at the time.
Fast forward 2 years and my step dad has retired, so is now only a 5 day member and the work colleague has pretty much packed up (although his brother-in-law and me still try & play once a week but neither he or the ex-colleague have bothered with any competitions so far - I have played enough to get/maintain a handicap but not much else). However, I have started to realise that I am not going to get any better without at least practising once or twice a week but the club is just that bit too far for me to use the range regularly (also has no roof) or just pop up there after work to play/practise 6 holes (live in Farnham, so it's half an hour first thing in the morning but has taken me an hour in the summer after work).
Therefore, do I continue there and try & find somewhere closer to practise or do I find another club closer that already has facilities, where I won't know anyone (this would force me into playing more comps, which might be a good thing)?
What was the reason you picked your club - convenience, friends or something else?

Thanks

 

[MendieGK]

I play golf to challenge myself, the social aspect is a bonus. However, i drive over an hour to one of my courses and am yet to play with the same group twice (i just add my name to a space online).

Every club i've ever joined has been friendly and welcoming so you'll have no issues finding people to play with.

Theres too many good golf clubs near Farnham for you not to move.

 

[Garush34]

I'd move, if you very rarely play with these guys then it wont make much of a difference. Surely you want to get better and play more golf at a better standard so get somewhere that has everything that you need, playing in comps will get to known around the club and you will easily get games.

I moved to my club as it was a better course and had practice facilities, where other clubs near me only had a small putting green. I have moved house but I'm still a member there as it is the best for me and I'm happy with the 20 min travel. In the end I want the golf not the social side from my golf club, luckily I managed to get both once I started playing comps.

 

[brendy]

I would say it would depend on the courses more local to you. If they are good courses with reasonable facilities then why not give them consideration. Travelling needlessly will certainly cause you to play less especially when there are other family commitments (in my case for sure) and would assume you will play more competitive rounds as a result. I wouldnt tend to play many social rounds at all and recently find i use the range when i get a spare 45 mins or whatever rather than try to squeeze 9 holes in.

 

[duncan mackie]

Every club I've known has been as welcoming as the player wishes it to be - some take a little more effort than others!

So that side of things is down to you. Turn up, join in and get involved...if you want to.

However, here it seems that distance is a factor, as is the nature of the practice facilities ie Originally 2 x 18 and access seemed the important factor but now you are looking at things differently. Just look around and see what's on offer then make a decision. It sounds as if you have no ties to the existing one so just do what suits you now.

 

[richart]

I know a decent club 20 minutes away, where the members are very friendly. Three Forumers are members. Roll ups most days, huge practice ground, chipping area, and the course drains better than any in the area.

One Forumer has joined recently, and is better qualified to advise on being a new member.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I know a decent club 20 minutes away, where the members are very friendly. Three Forumers are members. Roll ups most days, huge practice ground, chipping area, and the course drains better than any in the area.

One Forumer has joined recently, and is better qualified to advise on being a new member.

Not all members use it though

 

[Alex1975]

I know a decent club 20 minutes away, where the members are very friendly. Three Forumers are members. Roll ups most days, huge practice ground, chipping area, and the course drains better than any in the area.

One Forumer has joined recently, and is better qualified to advise on being a new member.

I would like to join too.... Not sure HID will move just to get into Blackmoor

 

[MendieGK]

I know a decent club 20 minutes away, where the members are very friendly. Three Forumers are members. Roll ups most days, huge practice ground, chipping area, and the course drains better than any in the area.

One Forumer has joined recently, and is better qualified to advise on being a new member.

Hindhead?

 

[MendieGK]

I know a decent club 20 minutes away, where the members are very friendly. Three Forumers are members. Roll ups most days, huge practice ground, chipping area, and the course drains better than any in the area.

One Forumer has joined recently, and is better qualified to advise on being a new member.

No wait, i've got it.

Hankley

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I know a decent club 20 minutes away, where the members are very friendly. Three Forumers are members. Roll ups most days, huge practice ground, chipping area, and the course drains better than any in the area.

One Forumer has joined recently, and is better qualified to advise on being a new member.

They have excellent hair dryers in the changing rooms, so I am informed, being unable to use them oneself, perfect for that bouffant style

 

[richart]

No wait, i've got it.

Hankley

Liphook, as long as you put you foot down.

 

[richart]

Not all members use it though

You would be banned from using it, as it is only 60 yards from the 11th tee.

 

[Patster1969]

Thanks all, much appreciated. Have sent an email to the Secretary at Farnham to enquire about membership there as that is certainly the closest to me, so will hopefully get to have a look around there - has anybody played there? Will also look at the drive to Blackmoor as well, so may have to pick your brains about it richart as well

 

[richart]

Thanks all, much appreciated. Have sent an email to the Secretary at Farnham to enquire about membership there as that is certainly the closest to me, so will hopefully get to have a look around there - has anybody played there? Will also look at the drive to Blackmoor as well, so may have to pick your brains about it richart as well

I was a member at Farnham. Nice course but it is not Blackmoor.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Thanks all, much appreciated. Have sent an email to the Secretary at Farnham to enquire about membership there as that is certainly the closest to me, so will hopefully get to have a look around there - has anybody played there? Will also look at the drive to Blackmoor as well, so may have to pick your brains about it richart as well

If it's a choice between the two for me Blackmoor wins hands down

Would travel the extra to play there - Farnham for me was a bit dull

 

[user2010]

Not at those fees I wouldn`t

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not at those fees I wouldn`t

For the course and the area the fees are pretty good

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

...What was the reason you picked your club - convenience, friends or something else

A members club; very good course (IMO); lovely old trad clubhouse - and less than 5mins drive from home (as my son aged 11 was joining at the same time as me that was especially important). I didn't know any members or anyone who had played there.