Golf Club or Pay and Play

[MrC]

Hi all

First post and relatively new to playing golf a little more seriously.

I am weighing up the benefits of joining a golf club against the cost.

I have started playing more this year, and I am intending to play when I can. At the moment I am going round in around a 100 so not great but I know I can do better as it is consistency that is letting me down.

If I pay and play I am likely to have a round every fortnight due to needing to hand over the cash.

However weirdly at a golf club I could play once a week as the money would not be an issue as I would be paying this regardless of the amount of golf I would play.

I guess what I am asking is what are the benefits of a golf club that justify the expense?

Also can anyone recommend a club to consider. Brentwood (Essex) or surrounding areas?

Chris

 

[Ross61]

One advantage of joining is that you can go and play a few holes in the evening without the cost of paying for a full round. I also used to pay-and-play but would not chance the weather and often did not play only for the weather to be gorgeous all day. As a member if the rain gets too heavy you can just walk in.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Welcome.

If you want to get an official handicap and then work to get it down you will need to join a club and play in competitions. Club membership is a whole lot more than just prepaid golf. You will make new friends, get to play competitions and matches and partake in social events. It's a no-brainer for me but it doesn't suit everyone.

 

[daveyc2k2]

I used to be a pay-and-play golfer when I first started, but wanted to get an official handicap and play in competitions and now wouldn't look back.

There are plenty of good clubs in your area. I play at Chelmsford which is a members only club, but closer to Brentwood, you have Thorndon Park, Orsett and South Essex to name but a few.

South Essex is a challenging course with 3 loops of 9 holes, so very good for having different rounds and practising. It also has it's own driving range, so facilities wise is very good. Not sure about the cost though.

Good luck with the search and let us know what you decide.

 

[patricks148]

welcome.

the benefits of being a club member is you can play as often as you like and get an official handicap and play in comps.

 

[Scoobiesnax]

Hi Chris,

As Davey said there are a number of good courses near you. He forgot to mention The Burstead (I'll forgive him for that ) which is just south of Billericay.

All in all; I've found it very beneficial joining a club recently as it has helped me to meet new golfers of differing abilities and the banter is always great and my as a direct result I look forward to my golf more and more.

Ross has it spot on with the evening round too. Played 7 holes last night after work before the heavens opened and walked off a little wet but enjoying a few hits prior to the weekend comp.

Adrian

 

[Rooter]

I was a pay and player, but grew frustrated not being able to play on weekends, all the courses round my way are members only on weekends, or at least mid afternoon before P&P allowed. This was the big one for me.

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Join a club that has good practice facilities like a range, chipping green and putting green etc, it will make the membership a little more versatile.

Ive just joined a club that has free range balls, my son and I had 50 balls each yesterday and 100 each today - additional costs like that soon add up. It's the main reason I chose the club I did.

 

[SteveJay]

Like many earlier comments, I only joined a club last Autumn.....larger up front outlay, but unlimited flexibility. I often play a few holes on my own when the mood takes me in the evening or late afternoon at weekends. Play more regularly than I would as a non member.
Also can use the practice facilities on the same basis.
As pointed out, you can walk off it the weather is bad and don't feel you are not getting value for money.
Then there are all the membership/social benefits.

 

[KenL]

Join a friendly club and get stuck in. I would hate to not be a member of a club as I get so much from it.

 

[jdpjamesp]

From my experience practise facilities at clubs are usually only open to members, and the facilities that aren't associated with clubs tend to be on the ropey side if they even exist near where you are. There are of course exceptions to this rule.

 

[daveyc2k2]

Hi Chris,

As Davey said there are a number of good courses near you. He forgot to mention The Burstead (I'll forgive him for that ) which is just south of Billericay.

Apologies for that. Burstead really is a lovely course and certainly not easy. Played it a few times and have always struggled. Really do like it though.

 

[MrC]

Thanks everyone, comments really make sense and as said there is an opportunities to play a few holes in the evening which I would not be able to do without a membership.

Will try and play a few courses mentioned to get a feel of the localish clubs to suit what suits me best.

thanks again

 

[sandmagnet]

Thorndon park serious money and very hard to join. Burstead very nice course and a good membership.brentwood is ok but can get very busy. Bentley golf course very good but had a crap clubhouse. Burstead was doing deals if I remember so there or Bentley would be my choice.

 

[stevench]

There may be a possibilty that some of you local courses offer an associate package?
I've previously been a member at a club but since having my first child I find that I need to play less to balance my time and I'm also finding I'm less and less interested in playing in the depths of winter.

As an associate member you can have pretty much the full benefits of being a member but not have the full commitment of getting your monies worth.
I also feel much happier playing other courses rather than feeling tied to one.

swings and roundabouts...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As others have said. Join a club and get stuck in. Official handicap, comps, chance to meet a lot of other like minded people, more accessibility, easier to get a game when you want it, evening golf, practice facilities. So many benefits

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Both depending on circumstances.
Let me explain

Currently a member at Aylesbury Park, ok course, But HS2 is going to put a 14m high viaduct right through the middle of the course, so looking to jump ship next year to Little Hay near Hemel Hempstead.

This is a muni, but a lovely course and has a Golf Club attached. but the club is a separate entity to the course, So you pay your Subs to the course for playing rights, then also pay about £75 a year to the club for handicap, comps etc

So im thinking of joining this club as well and paying occasional visitors green fees (£20) to play in a few rollups and get into the flow, before fully joining in 12 months time

So to me the answer could well be both, might be worth seeing what is on offer local to you

 

[delc]

Both depending on circumstances.
Let me explain

Currently a member at Aylesbury Park, ok course, But HS2 is going to put a 14m high viaduct right through the middle of the course, so looking to jump ship next year to Little Hay near Hemel Hempstead.

This is a muni, but a lovely course and has a Golf Club attached. but the club is a separate entity to the course, So you pay your Subs to the course for playing rights, then also pay about £75 a year to the club for handicap, comps etc

So im thinking of joining this club as well and paying occasional visitors green fees (£20) to play in a few rollups and get into the flow, before fully joining in 12 months time

So to me the answer could well be both, might be worth seeing what is on offer local to you

As Phil says, many muni's and pay and play courses have golf clubs attached, which you can join at minimal cost, but still have to pay green fees. If you don't get to play that often, that is a good way to go. Indeed I was a member of such a club until I retired, but then joined a private club because that made economic sense if I was going to play several times a week.

 

[Face breaker]

Average yearly subs around our way are around the 5-800 quid mark, our club is £640 so 640 devided by 365 = 1.75 or £1.75 a day and for the most you can come and go as you please so barring the odd comp you can play 7 days a week if you want, gotta be better than 25-40 quid for 1 round once a fortnight surely !...:thup:

Ps, I'm lucky cos I'm a Greenkeeper at said course so I don't gotta pay !...:ears:

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Both depending on circumstances.
Let me explain

Currently a member at Aylesbury Park, ok course, But HS2 is going to put a 14m high viaduct right through the middle of the course, so looking to jump ship next year to Little Hay near Hemel Hempstead.

This is a muni, but a lovely course and has a Golf Club attached. but the club is a separate entity to the course, So you pay your Subs to the course for playing rights, then also pay about £75 a year to the club for handicap, comps etc

So im thinking of joining this club as well and paying occasional visitors green fees (£20) to play in a few rollups and get into the flow, before fully joining in 12 months time

So to me the answer could well be both, might be worth seeing what is on offer local to you

Update to above

Looked on the website today to see that Little Hay had an open day today with reduced fees, So I am now a member for the grand price of £42
obviously this is just the club, still have to pay green fees