Flexible membership/Deals in surrey!

[alansd]

After a couple of years at my current club the fact I have a wife and a 1 year old has caught up with me.

I was playing every weekend so virtually getting my moneys worth out of my membership, recently this has dropped to every other week so paying £1600 a year for 20-25 games a year is ridiculous. I would like to find a decent club that lets me keep my handicap and play in comps but is financially viable. Does anyone know of anywhere in the banstead/epsom area that has something that might suit? I am 33 if that makes a difference.

Have looked around and there are some possibilities but others may know of more.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Depending on how far you want to travel and if you don't mind a course that's a little tatty around the edges but improving fast..... I recently joined the Kent and Surrey Golf club in Edenbridge. I can PM you the deal I got if you're interested....but suspect it may be a little far.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Try Wimbledon Common. Pretty sure its a lot cheaper than £1600 per year

 

[Blue in Munich]

Is it worth speaking to the secretary or probably someone on the membership committee about going back to a social membership short-term and paying a green fee when you play, rather than give it up completely? That's a lot of joining fee you're leaving behind if you just walk away, and you might find it easier to keep in if you play with a crowd and then go back to a playing membership if your circumstances change?

If you do go Epsom normally has some sort of a deal going, if you can stand playing it (personally I can't), other than that they are all pretty pricy round that way.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Try Wimbledon Common. Pretty sure its a lot cheaper than £1600 per year

For good reason when you compare the two. If you are used to, and enjoy, Cuddington, I can't see Wimbledon Common with its cyclists, dog walkers, walkers and picnickers being a viable alternative.

 

[Foxholer]

Probably too much of a trek, but Laleham have some alternative membership schemes, including Weekend only, Associate and Off-Peak.

Not the most challenging course (better than Kent and Surrey though) and entrance is a bit iffy, but greens are normally very good.

Silvermere do an Associate style membership. Can be a long round at weekends though and can (well, could) get soggy.

Might be best to become a nomad, if losing the handicap isn't essential.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I think Laleham would top my list of most boring courses.
Guilford area too far away?
I heard that Merrow were struggling for members.

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Just looked it up £945 for 33 year old.
Assoc.membership deals at £18 a round

 

[SammmeBee]

Kingswood......

 

[alansd]

Thanks for the help people,

Blue in Munich, I have spoke to JR and I can go down to social and go back to full playing member at any time. Even if its several years before I can go back to full playing rights it will be worth it. Not only will it save the joining fee in future but it would avoid having to go on a waiting list in future and in the meantime I have a local I can nip into with great views. Have we played together by any chance?

Re Epsom, I actually came from there and don't mind the course however I dont know if I would go back for a short while then switch back. I had a few comments when i left the last time so can only imagine how bad it would be. That's a definite possibility as the members are all good guys, good competitions and can tee off as early as you like. This might come into it as getting out very early and back home for the day could be a plus. Also plays all weather much like Cuddington.

The other candidates at the moment seem to be Chipstead, right on my doorstep doing a very cheap flexible membership some restrictions on use but nothing awful. Betchworth Park,, Lovely course and they are doing a points system, x many points per peak round in summer etc. The last is reigate hill, never played it but it also has a points system.

Got a week off work soon so will try and visit chipstead and reigate hill to see whats on offer.

Hopefully I can magic up some solution between now and the end of the year....

Suppose this is what happens when you move away from Ayrshire and decide then to take up golf!

 

[Foxholer]

I think Laleham would top my list of most boring courses.

I think I've played a few worse - but forgot them quite quickly.

Certainly not many flatter! A 10-15 mph breeze changes it markedly, but still not a particularly pretty place to play golf.

Depends on what you consider boring as well. Blairgowie Lansdowne has/had a load of 'samey' hols and there's even a series like that on Woburn Dukes - better last time than an earlier memory. So 'boredom' isn't restricted to the lower grade courses.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Thanks for the help people,

Blue in Munich, I have spoke to JR and I can go down to social and go back to full playing member at any time. Even if its several years before I can go back to full playing rights it will be worth it. Not only will it save the joining fee in future but it would avoid having to go on a waiting list in future and in the meantime I have a local I can nip into with great views. Have we played together by any chance?

Re Epsom, I actually came from there and don't mind the course however I dont know if I would go back for a short while then switch back. I had a few comments when i left the last time so can only imagine how bad it would be. That's a definite possibility as the members are all good guys, good competitions and can tee off as early as you like. This might come into it as getting out very early and back home for the day could be a plus. Also plays all weather much like Cuddington.

The other candidates at the moment seem to be Chipstead, right on my doorstep doing a very cheap flexible membership some restrictions on use but nothing awful. Betchworth Park,, Lovely course and they are doing a points system, x many points per peak round in summer etc. The last is reigate hill, never played it but it also has a points system.

Got a week off work soon so will try and visit chipstead and reigate hill to see whats on offer.

Hopefully I can magic up some solution between now and the end of the year....

Suppose this is what happens when you move away from Ayrshire and decide then to take up golf!

alansd, I think we've met, don't think we've have played together; I think we nearly did in a Hilliard game against Effingham & then the pairings got swopped last minute, you doing Captain's Day at the weekend? I'm in the 11.09 group. Good news about the social membership, worth doing as you've obviously found out.

Epsom? One man's trash is another man's treasure, greens were always very good, I just never warmed to the layout, as you say it certainly drains well, a good all year round course as is Banstead Downs where I came from.

Of the others you mention, played Chipstead once, hilly, not particularly memorable to me as a course but friendly enough as a club. Reigate Hill I have never played, just seen from the M25, but I can't say I'd enjoy the drone from the motorway. Betchworth Park has some stunning views and is a course I would have considered joining when I left Banstead had I lived nearer, but on a bad day it's a 90 minute round trip. Excellent practice facilities at a stupidly low price for range balls according to my old partner from Banstead who moved there, if that is a factor. Chipstead and Betchworth do always seem to have a high turnover of members, not sure why in Betchworth's case as of those three it would be my first choice on a purely golfing basis.

Good luck with the search, let us know how you get on.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Dorking GC.......£629 subs for under 35's.

Nice wee 9 holer.