OUt of interest, if a club has had a joining fee in the past, stopped it and then has brought it back, would the fair and equitable thing to do be to look at the club records and charge the same fee to all members who had not paid a joining fee in the past so as everyone has made a similar contribution to the club coffers.
Golf Club Joining Fees - Crippling Diversity
- Thread starter Radbourne2010
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Or if club had a joining fee in the past and now no longer had one - should they refund or the members who paid a joining fee in the past? I think the answer in no in both cases.
I paid a joining fee when I joined my club and in the past paid a levy for club house improvements - I don't expect new members to pay the levy I paid, even though they get the benefit of the improvements.
I paid a joining fee when I joined my club and in the past paid a levy for club house improvements - I don't expect new members to pay the levy I paid, even though they get the benefit of the improvements.
It's a bit like saying if you buy a new driver for full price then 3 months later it goes on sale at 30% off can you get a refund for the difference? Whatever's on the table at the time, if you're happy to pay for it then that's you done.
Many clubs fees are going up along with everything else in the world- costs for every club is going up
I know some clubs are putting up green fees as well and some a steep rise , I suspect it might be to reduce wear on the course but still keeping the same income
It’s the same as always with joining fees - if you don’t want to pay one then there are multiple clubs that can be joined without one
Bit confused about the diversity point though and it crippling it ?
I know some clubs are putting up green fees as well and some a steep rise , I suspect it might be to reduce wear on the course but still keeping the same income
It’s the same as always with joining fees - if you don’t want to pay one then there are multiple clubs that can be joined without one
Bit confused about the diversity point though and it crippling it ?
Here is a thought, are clubs that charge joining fees…
A) Profiteering from the current boom
B) scared that their course is somewhat inferior and is the only way to reduce churn?
C) Being sensible and making money to improve the course at a time when interest is high
D) Trying to maximise membership by buying loyalty
E) Something entirely different?
A) Profiteering from the current boom
B) scared that their course is somewhat inferior and is the only way to reduce churn?
C) Being sensible and making money to improve the course at a time when interest is high
D) Trying to maximise membership by buying loyalty
E) Something entirely different?
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😂
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There's a golf club near me that I have long considered joining. But they introduced a joining fee a couple of years ago and that made my mind up.
I can afford the cost, but I just do not like joining fees one bit. I get the theory behind them but I just feel that if you're a good enough golf club, why would you worry so much if some members wanted to leave? It seems like you're trying to force people to stay at the club by ransom, instead of just making sure that you have a well kept course and a well organised member section.
I can afford the cost, but I just do not like joining fees one bit. I get the theory behind them but I just feel that if you're a good enough golf club, why would you worry so much if some members wanted to leave? It seems like you're trying to force people to stay at the club by ransom, instead of just making sure that you have a well kept course and a well organised member section.
Crippling diversity ?
ours is £1300 joining fee .
but only for men over 30yrs old.
everyone else pays nothing.
it’s a very sore subject when discussed in the clubhouse.
ours is £1300 joining fee .
but only for men over 30yrs old.
everyone else pays nothing.
it’s a very sore subject when discussed in the clubhouse.
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How do they get away with it?
This is my 6th year at my club and I'm still paying off the joining fee. Wouldn't have even considered joining without being able to pay it off over 10 years.
Have just joined another club. I've been a member of this club in the past - used to join for winter, leave and rejoin the next winter. This time I spent two years on the waiting list and had to pay a joining fee (fortunately much smaller than at my home club). Can't say I blame them taking advantage of increased demand to try and encourage a longer term mentality.
Have just joined another club. I've been a member of this club in the past - used to join for winter, leave and rejoin the next winter. This time I spent two years on the waiting list and had to pay a joining fee (fortunately much smaller than at my home club). Can't say I blame them taking advantage of increased demand to try and encourage a longer term mentality.
Members club can more or less do what they want.
imagine if it was the other way around.
can understand juniors but nobody else.
if you want to join pay what everyone else has paid.!
imagine if it was the other way around.
can understand juniors but nobody else.
if you want to join pay what everyone else has paid.!
I am against joining fees in principle but like @IanM i can see why some clubs have them — although churn is objectively bad for a private members club, it is not always a golfer’s ‘fault’ for leaving a club….these days there is much less security in life, in terms of employment and people tend to live more transitory lives — again, certainly not always through choice…I would be loath to spend a fortune on a joining fee to be a member only to have life circumstances dictate I leave the area, and hence the club. For better or for worse (not wishing to discuss that here) life is so much less stable than it was 30 years ago…so although I can see the rationale for a club having a joining fee, I wouldn’t join one that has one (apart from the old important caveat — unless I REALLY wanted to)
No club is perfect, and certainly no membership is, but I’m glad and grateful with what I have with my home club
If St George’s miraculously decided to offer me membership, I would not turn them down if they asked for a £1000 joining fee for example 🤣
No club is perfect, and certainly no membership is, but I’m glad and grateful with what I have with my home club
If St George’s miraculously decided to offer me membership, I would not turn them down if they asked for a £1000 joining fee for example 🤣
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Spot on.
Thought we were all equal? 🤷♂️
Thought we were all equal? 🤷♂️
We are but not in golf clubs apparently.
It clearly failed!