Experiences When Contacting Golf Clubs

Maybe you should move upto Scotland you dont get much of that up here
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You're obviously not playing at the right clubs Owen. There are still certain clubs I could name that fall into that category. That said, the vast majority of clubs are more than welcoming.

Whay you have to remember is that the golf club will only be what you make of it. It's not just a place to play golf, there's a lot more too it than that.
 
So true fella, its why I like Municipal golf at the moment. There is a massive difference in subs in Scotland as well I believe as to the test of the UK.

Is it true most of the courses in Scotland are Muni's?
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Parmo,

The vast majority of clubs are private members clubs. Most are course owning clubs. The whole outlook on the game is different. Itis a game for everyone.

Whilst there are many local authority run courses, they tend to be found in certain areas. If you discount the various links tusts, St Andrews, Carnoustie etc and concentrate on the true municiple courses, then you find them in most major cities or in obvious golf country. Ayrshire is a prime example. There are some really good Munis down there. Embra has a fair few, look at my Golf in Edinburgh link.

In Embra there is an issue with the footfall at the Munis at the moment. It seems people are just not playing golf in the numbers they once were. That in turn will affect most private clubs, commercial courses and municiple golf courses.

Imaging not wanting to play this great game :o
 
Chris, your comments regarding munis are not reflective of the majority of munis I have played. I would advise people try and find an 18 hole muni rather than a 9 holer because there is little chance of a chopper in a trackie aying £15-£20 for 18 holes but they may fork out £7-£10 for a quick 9.

There are 2500 courses in Britain and 500 are up here so we have more choice and the recession has forced a lot of clubs to lower their expectations in regards to joining fee and numbers.
 
Chris, your comments regarding munis are not reflective of the majority of munis I have played. I would advise people try and find an 18 hole muni rather than a 9 holer because there is little chance of a chopper in a trackie aying £15-£20 for 18 holes but they may fork out £7-£10 for a quick 9.

There are 2500 courses in Britain and 500 are up here so we have more choice and the recession has forced a lot of clubs to lower their expectations in regards to joining fee and numbers.
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He did say that it may just be Hull, to be fair. Both of the municipals in Hull - Springhead and Sutton - are 18 holes. They serve a purpose (I played my first few rounds on them) but they are a long way off the quality of most of the private courses round here.

I too wouldn't be put off by the secretary. If you're joining somewhere you're likely to be there for a while so find a track you enjoy and play a few rounds there, chat to the members and staff and then make your mind up.
 
I like playing at the Muni, there is no snobbishness and most of the members are nice. The main point I like is it has a social side and its more like a family rather than somewhere to play golf.
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The only problem I see with Muni golf is that there is no kind of control over who plays the course. I am not a snob but I am a golf snob and cannot be bothered playing with,in front of,or behind people who just hack around in jeans and footie tops, trainers, fag hanging out of the corner of their gobs whilst they putt or hit any shot. If they cannot be bothered to dress smartly I dont want to be near them. Also most muni's have 20 fourballs around the first tee cackling away some swigging cans of lager still p***ed up from the night before. No point defending any of this, started at a muni. ;)
 
i do find that hard to beleve that clubs are like that it would make you think about joining them and giving over your cash

not to many clubs like that over here

get a job over the water
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So could you join Portrush, Portstewart, Royal Belfast, RCD as a 7 day member tomorrow without paying a joining fee?
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No chance Portstewart is £1600 joining fee and subs are £750 ,Portrush no chance ,to many snobs there unless you join the Rathmore Club who play the Valley course there.
My place has no waiting list and you can get in , in 6 weeks.
 
I have been looking to join a club recently, although I have only contacted one directly (Celtic Manor - see my other thread).

CM were more than accomodating, offering me a free trial round (well, reimbursed if I join) on the course I haven't played up there. It was too foggy to play so I called the Membership guy I'd be speaking to who happily came and spent half an hour chatting to me and showing me around the place, introducing me to people as we went.

For what is considered a more upmarket club, I was very impressed. Although nothing he did was rocket science, it was a nice gesture, and increased the likelihood of me joining.
 
Then I got a response from St Thomas' Priory in Lichfield. Never heard of them before and will only find out what the course is like when I visit but they were the only club who invited me to visit and try the course. Furthermore, they noted that I was relocating and ensured me that they would make sure there were plenty of playing partners for me if I knew nobody and explained their comps were drawn so as there were further opportunities to meet members.
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Sounds encouraging. Sad to hear of your frustrations, I guess it's just the area. I remember central Birmingham being similar.
If you like the place, you may well have found yourself a home.
 
I have been looking to join a club recently, although I have only contacted one directly (Celtic Manor - see my other thread).

CM were more than accomodating, offering me a free trial round (well, reimbursed if I join) on the course I haven't played up there. It was too foggy to play so I called the Membership guy I'd be speaking to who happily came and spent half an hour chatting to me and showing me around the place, introducing me to people as we went.

For what is considered a more upmarket club, I was very impressed. Although nothing he did was rocket science, it was a nice gesture, and increased the likelihood of me joining.
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Well Mike, I am a member at Celtic Manor ( not the 2010 ) so if you do get down for a game PM me and if I'm off work on the day it would be a pleasure to play if you want.

Squire
 
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Brithdir just outside New Tredegar

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Depending on the distance you wish to travel, have a look at West Monmouthshire GC or Pontypool GC. They are the only ones I know in that area. West Mon is the highest golf club in Britain.

The Squire
 
Isn't it about time that most of these stuffier golf clubs were brought into modern times.

I work out of the country a lot and I play more for enjoyment than the fact that I am good. It is in that regard that I have yet to have a membership of a golf course since I left university. In most countries that I have worked in, it has been easy to get a game at some incredible courses, some of which I have done justice to and some that have left me defeated and heading for the bar in abject horror that I shall never master this game. However all without exception have been welcoming if you show the right attitude from the beginning, such as ringing and explaining your situation, and simply being polite and asking if they can accomodate you.

I live in South London and that simply is not my experience here, until recently when I came across Woldingham Golf Club the Club Secretary was accomodating and allowed me to play, the members that I met hospitable and the course exceptional for this time of year. So as for your experiences when contacting golf clubs I think it is a case of trusting to luck, there are good ones out there its just being lucky enough to find them
 
Chris

Welcome along and a very good first post. I do wonder if it is perhaps the "British mentality" that means a lot of clubs still feel a need to conform to a rulebook from a bygone era whereas the more liberal overseas clubs see guests as an asset instead of an irritation. Which part of South London you in as there was/is going to be a game at Wimbledon Common which may be of interest as well as a GM day at my place.

Stick around and if all your posts are this good you'll be a huge asset to the place
 
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