First club interview...

[Slab]

My interviewer (in all instances) has been the Secretary.
And to say it was an "interview" is a little over the top, more of an informal chat to explain what my category of membership entitled me to, to explain a little of the history of the club, and to confirm dress codes.
Coodens dress code is quite strict, no jeans etc. with jacket and tie being required in the dining room at all times, although obviously smart casual in the remainder of the bar area.
I don't mind these rules. I would never (ever) turn up at any golf club in jeans.
Even if I were just dropping a club off to the pro shop for repair (or something similar) I wouldn't do it in jeans.

So was the Secretary competent in what they should be doing? Often wondered that while no doubting their commitment to the club, do the folks that meet with applicants due to a committee position have the right social & communication skills and would some clubs benefit from identifying 'membership' as a separate area and putting in a dedicated resource



Took the opportunity to click on Cooden membership

The form seems fairly straightforward, the only part that would irk is the questions about occupation/employer. I can see how as part of a relaxed chat it would usually crop up but as part of the application form itself, well it really has no place being part of the assessment

Looks a nice club though

 

[Smiffy]

So was the Secretary competent in what they should be doing? Often wondered that while no doubting their commitment to the club, do the folks that meet with applicants due to a committee position have the right social & communication skills

He did ok.
He's a nice bloke

 

[Break90]

My interview last year was with the membership secretary, vice-captain and another member of the committee.

Took 30 mins or so, they asked about my golf history, and why I wanted to join.

i asked more questions than they did, mainly about why I should join, comp-formats, club matches etc.

Was then asked to play an introductory round with the vice-captain, was a member 2 weeks later and haven't looked back.

we're a private members club with a waiting list, so traditions like this are likely to remain for the foreseeable. I don't have an issue with it to be honest.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Going against the grain with this but I think interviews to join a members club are for me a good thing - and a rather nice thing actually. If you want to think about the negative things that they might mean or imply about a club then methinks you think too much.

 

[Alex1975]

Some clubs do that afterwards

Again what is so offensive about having a chat in a relaxed environment

You dont need to know about me unless I chose to share! I am paying to be a member of the club, they are not paying me....

I would never join a club that required an interview. This will happen less and less as more clubs go out of business. The world is changing! When I am paying I am the customer and x is the supplier. Trying to make a golf club out to be something more than a place to do a hobby like a gym is incorrect in my opinion. Golf club people are not better than any other type of people!

 

[CMAC]

You dont need to know about me unless I chose to share! I am paying to be a member of the club, they are not paying me....

I would never join a club that required an interview. This will happen less and less as more clubs go out of business. The world is changing! When I am paying I am the customer and x is the supplier. Trying to make a golf club out to be something more than a place to do a hobby like a gym is incorrect in my opinion. Golf club people are not better than any other type of people!

oh dear- sweeping statement city!

 

[Alex1975]

oh dear- sweeping statement city!

Hehe, go on then, enlighten me?

 

[CMAC]

Going against the grain with this but I think interviews to join a members club are for me a good thing - and a rather nice thing actually. If you want to think about the negative things that they might mean or imply about a club then methinks you think too much.

and what many seem to be missing is it's your opportunity to ask a zillion questions to ensure you are joining a club that suits you. Saves any moaning later because "I didn't know about such and such"

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You dont need to know about me unless I chose to share! I am paying to be a member of the club, they are not paying me....

I would never join a club that required an interview. This will happen less and less as more clubs go out of business. The world is changing! When I am paying I am the customer and x is the supplier. Trying to make a golf club out to be something more than a place to do a hobby like a gym is incorrect in my opinion. Golf club people are not better than any other type of people!

Wow - where to start

1. Where did anyone say golfers are better than anyone else

2. A great deal of people do think of their golf club as more than just somewhere to play golf

3. A number of clubs in this area having growing waiting lists and need an interview - they won't go out if business

4. Thankfully there are still a lot more golf clubs around that treat the place as a golf club and somewhere for everyone and the families etc and not just a business looking for faceless people to pay money

 

[Alex1975]

Internet.... telephone.... play the course.....

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

and what many seem to be missing is it's your opportunity to ask a zillion questions to ensure you are joining a club that suits you. Saves any moaning later because "I didn't know about such and such"

Quite - I really don't get why there is in many a push back against this sort of thing, Are some of us getting a bit too precious about ourselves these days.

My club has an interview process - and we do 'play ins'. But are we stuffy, old-fashioned and unwelcoming? Well a potential new member was speaking with the secretary last Saturday morning and she brought him through to the club lounge where the roll-up had just been sorted and where we were sitting. The first group of our roll-up was about to go off - the secretary pointed us out and noted we were going off else maybe he could have played with us. As the first two groups out were three balls (the rest 4 balls) I asked if he wanted to play - he did - so I popped off to the 1st tee and asked the 2nd three ball to wait - as we had a fourth player for that group. They were of course more than happy to do so, and so our prospective new member got a free round of golf with three excellent guys and a full introduction to our Saturday roll-up.

So tell me again why being asked to attend an interview would stop you becoming a member of my place?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Internet.... telephone.... play the course.....

Fine and sorted - you don't need to be a member of a club.

 

[Alex1975]

Fine and sorted - you don't need to be a member of a club.

Hehe... I am a member of a club... I just dont have to interview to be a member, they let me just pay them money and in return treat me like a customer.


Why do you care that I would not interview... why does that upset you? Just because it does not fit your old man ways?

 

[bluewolf]

Why do you care that I would not interview... why does that upset you? Just because it does not fit your old man ways?

Incredibly concescending.. Not necessary at all..

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Hehe... I am a member of a club... I just dont have to interview to be a member, they let me just pay them money and in return treat me like a customer.


Why do you care that I would not interview... why does that upset you? Just because it does not fit your old man ways?

For a start it demonstrates a very closed mind.

BTW - you are happy that as a member you are treated as a customer

 

[User20205]

I'm the other way. I'd refuse to join a club which didn't vet their members first. If I give up my weekend to play golf, I don't want to play with just anyone!!!

I need to be assured they have the 'correct' background, it saves any embarrassment on both sides

 

[Alex1975]

For a start it demonstrates a very closed mind.

BTW - you are happy that as a member you are treated as a customer

If it does and I don't think it does.... why do you care?

Very happy to be treated as a customer! Its as it should be... golf clubs are just like any other service and lets me honest, we are told golf is dieing so golf needs to catch up with the rest of the leisure industries.

 

[Alex1975]

I'm the other way. I'd refuse to join a club which didn't vet their members first. If I give up my weekend to play golf, I don't want to play with just anyone!!!

I need to be assured they have the 'correct' background, it saves any embarrassment on both sides

Tut tut Nick....

 

[richart]

I'm the other way. I'd refuse to join a club which didn't vet their members first. If I give up my weekend to play golf, I don't want to play with just anyone!!!

I need to be assured they have the 'correct' background, it saves any embarrassment on both sides

How did you get through the net ?

 

[richart]

I am a member of my club, not a customer. Don't customers go to pay and play courses ?

Interesting the question on application forms about profession. My mate is an accountant so was asked about being Club treasurer. Would have had his fees paid, but he was too busy to take on the job. Another chap I know is a sign writer, and he did all the new honour's boards in lieu of his fees. Seems it can actually be an advantage to club and member knowing someones occupation. Of course others may prefer to think of it as Big Brother.oo: