Going Nomad for a Bit Then on To Pastures New

[GB72]

Looks like I will soon be a nomad, at least for the time being. I made the decision over the weekend that it was time to resign my membership. Various things have reduced my motivation to get out and play golf and, as a result, it just did not seem worth staying on.
I have probably played 3 times in the last couple of months, so the cost of membership has increased for me massively this year. As I have said on a number of posts, the atmosphere at the club no longer suits me and, in fact, now grates quite a bit. As such, I do not feel like a club member, I feel like the club is somewhere I go to play golf. I have tried to socialise both on and off the course but it is just not for me.
It has not helped that 2 of my playing partners have recently left leaving our group short of numbers.
With the AGM coming up next week, there are rumblings of the club stopping people leaving mid year (I was shocked that this was allowed at all but if it is then I am going to make use of it) and so my hand was forced slightly in that the options were to do it now or wait until the end of the year. With the Winter weather and the 2 people I play with being involved in Winter League it was pretty clear that I would not get much golf in before March and so the decision was to do something now.
Going to go Nomad for the winter period and be in a position to start afresh somewhere new at the beginning of next season. Will be keeping my eye on the ‘arrange a game’ section to get a few rounds in around the country.
Slightly sad to leave but golf costs enough that I do not feel like settling for something I am not happy with so the attitude and atmosphere at the club has cost another membership but new people are still joining so it must appeal to some people and I wish them all the best.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

, I feel like the club is somewhere I go to play golf. I have tried to socialise both on and off the course but it is just not for me.

I get this, that is how I feel. Has stopped me before joining a golf club in Essex that said they wanted new members to get involved, come to the social events, come to the carvery etc . I am not a social person really.

How that quite fits in with getting to know new people and playing with new partners etc, I found is tricky.

If you are ever in my area you are welcome to a game at ours.

However best of luck on it all and hope it works out for you.

 

[Paperboy]

I'll be going to a social member at the end of the year. As I don't enjoy golf at the moment, so the social membership means if the love comes back I'm not stung for another joining fee.

I still love the club on the whole and have a lot of good friends .

 

[duncan mackie]

A lot of people have thoughts along a number of the lines you raise at this time of the year.
If you are able to pick and choose your membership then it sounds like a no brainer. Don't forget to print of a handicap cert or report when you leave (to make joining somewhere else that little bit easier with CDH Number etc).
I'm also surprised that you can leave at this time of year and cut your losses - you will find out when you go.

 

[GB72]

Thing is, I am a social person but the events are very much geared towards the older members and I do not enjoy them. The slightly old fashioned views and attitudes at the club also means that my wife feels very out of place there.
On the golfing side, there are no weekend roll ups so not much chance to socialise there either. The only roll ups are mid week and, again, geared towards the retired. Ironically, the 2 biggest roll ups are closed to new people. The Wednesday one does not want any more people there as they believe they have enough regulars and the Sunday one is for the great and the good of the club and is by invite only. I think that, in itself, sums things up.

 

[GB72]

A lot of people have thoughts along a number of the lines you raise at this time of the year.
If you are able to pick and choose your membership then it sounds like a no brainer. Don't forget to print of a handicap cert or report when you leave (to make joining somewhere else that little bit easier with CDH Number etc).
I'm also surprised that you can leave at this time of year and cut your losses - you will find out when you go.

This really was a shock to me as 2 of my playing partners did just that, left at no cost despite credit agreements. Talking to a committee member who drinks in my local, it appears that there is a group of well established members who quit every winter despite credit agreements and sign back on in the Summer. Rumour is that it is because of these people that nobody has shut this loophole.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I'll be going to a social member at the end of the year.

Sad to hear that as royal winch is a lovely course.

Also sad to hear about you and not enjoying golf, it will come back I'm sure.

GB72, as a fellow nomad, don't be afraid to organise a game next year. I'm always looking to play courses just up the A1

 

[duncan mackie]

This really was a shock to me as 2 of my playing partners did just that, left at no cost despite credit agreements. Talking to a committee member who drinks in my local, it appears that there is a group of well established members who quit every winter despite credit agreements and sign back on in the Summer. Rumour is that it is because of these people that nobody has shut this loophole.

Reading this I've also moved to 'shocked' status.

 

[patricks148]

Sorry to hear that.

not a problem here with golf so cheap in comparison to down there.

a couple of the guys i play with are thinking of leaving my club at the end of this year if the fee's go up again.
Nairn is the most expensive club around here by far, i'm paying more than £300 more than when i joined 6 years ago... raises like this are not sustainable.

 

[GB72]

Nowhere near the prices some pay but another £30 rise on the agenda this year with rumours that there will be some arguing for an even bigger hike

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

Slightly related so hope you don't mind the hijack, but does anybody know, if you've got an active handicap with 3 recent comps does it stay active for 12 months, or cease on leaving a club if you don't join another? Just thinking around open competitions as a nomad.

 

[duncan mackie]

Nowhere near the prices some pay but another £30 rise on the agenda this year with rumours that there will be some arguing for an even bigger hike

If they are letting people play and pay for the summer season alone I'm not surprised the fees are heading up! If everyone did it the annual fee would probably have to double...

 

[duncan mackie]

Slightly related so hope you don't mind the hijack, but does anybody know, if you've got an active handicap with 3 recent comps does it stay active for 12 months, or cease on leaving a club if you don't join another? Just thinking around open competitions as a nomad.

Ceases as soon as you leave.

That said it's best to think of it in stasis for up to a year as you get it back if you join another.

 

[RGDave]

Looks like I will soon be a nomad, at least for the time being.

Going to go Nomad for the winter period and be in a position to start afresh somewhere new at the beginning of next season. Will be keeping my eye on the ‘arrange a game’ section to get a few rounds in around the country.

I've gone nomad, more through disability than anything. I'll be sure to keep an eye out as well... maybe more in the spring mind you.
Good luck.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

Ceases as soon as you leave.

That said it's best to think of it in stasis for up to a year as you get it back if you join another.

Thanks, thought that was the case. Going to leave my club next year as just not enough time for regular games so no value for money but it's a shame to put the (official) handicap on hold.

 

[full_throttle]

GB, I've booked a golf day at Burghley Park GC and Stoke Rochford GC on Mon 15th/Tue 16th May, you're welcome to join, if space becomes available

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you don't feel comfy and part of the club, why stay and I can understand the OP's frustrations. I hope he enjoys the freedom of nomadic golf over the winter and finally finds a place to call home

 

[AmandaJR]

If you fancy a game at Wellingborough Greg then just say the word. Bob might fancy playing too

 

[duncan mackie]

Thanks, thought that was the case. Going to leave my club next year as just not enough time for regular games so no value for money but it's a shame to put the (official) handicap on hold.

The solution is to join a club based on a Municipal course for a nominal fee (typically £50 which covers union fees and therefore handicap) - works for a lot of people!

 

[GB72]

That was easy. Emailed the club on Monday, today I got confirmation that my membership would end at the end of this month and the club will cancel my direct debit with fairway credit and end all obligations. Nomad from 1st December