Golf clubs low on membership

[patricks148]

With regards to getting more people on the golf course.

St. Andrews Old Course has 40,000 rounds on it a year, even with every Sunday off. No doubt a lot of wear and tear and yes a lot of green keepers and ideal natural conditions for a golf course.

But for the most part, members clubs with 400 or 500 members will have an empty tee for a lot of time during the week and Sunday afternoons.

A golf course at a members club with decent sized greens, spending several hundred thousand om staff and maintenance is almost certainly being under utilised.

the old course is basically subsidising the other courses in the links trust, so not a normal situation.

 

[Slab]

You can’t smash the living daylights out of a golf course packing them in from 8 till 4 each day - it’s just not good for a course. They need breathing spaces, time for the course to recover a little , time for the greenkeepers to do work. We have quiet gaps during the week and we feel no need to fill them up with green fees.

Those quiet times people know as well so can use them for a bit of single rounds or arrange matches when they know they won’t be held up etc - clubs don’t need to “milk the asset “ - and any decent greenkeeper will tell you that any course needs free gaps where the course has very minimal footfall on them.

My example was simply to compare capacity posted from the mid-winter example given to the high season

Its absolutely fine if a members club doesn't want to fill the gaps but that in itself doesn't mean the course is not way underutilized in relation to capacity (and when we say 'gaps' it's likely only 40-50% of tee times are used in a good week)

Is there really that many clubs that wouldn't like to fill a few of those and still leave plenty time for the matches and practicing singles?

 

[Deleted member 21258]

For my experience and having moved from almost exclusively playing a single course, to rotating through half a dozen courses & no home course (with a different course almost every week) I didn't think i'd like the latter option but found I really enjoyed the variation much more than I thought I would (the travel is really the only downside)

The fundamental changes in design & environment from one course to another, including different grasses, fairways, greens etc (even different sand in the bunkers) makes for more of an all round challenge of the game. I don't doubt I'd be scoring better if all my rounds were at one course too as I'd learn all the course and weather variables from a single course and how to play in them much more easily than 6 courses
I know for the challenge someones 'home course is different everyday' (but its not really) As you say its typically just the conditions that change, so the wind might change direction on the odd occasion, it might be a tad warmer, wetter, the tees might go forward etc etc but inherently it is the same course with the same holes, same grass, same hazards etc etc same menu in the clubhouse even (without even considering the differences in links, parkland and the rest)

Due to a new course opening very near me this last 12mnths has seen about half my rounds played at this one course with the rest still spread around and while I never get bored, I do yearn for the other courses if I haven't been out and about to somewhere else for three or four weeks running

When I get back to the Uk I'll probably join one place (probably manage to drop the handicap too) but other than the odd day-out I'll likely miss out on this variety because I've paid a membership (and I'll gain the benefits of that membership) but I will lose out when it comes to the sheer scale of variation in the game

Probably sums me up my way of thinking about playing other course completely. Great post.

Did you used to live in the UK before ?, that's a big move to port louis

 

[Slab]

Probably sums me up my way of thinking about playing other course completely. Great post.

Did you used to live in the UK before ?, that's a big move to port louis

Born and bred in Scotland, its only last few years I moved for work (looking forward to going home someday but for the time being its still hot and sunny here)

 

[Grant85]

For my experience and having moved from almost exclusively playing a single course, to rotating through half a dozen courses & no home course (with a different course almost every week) I didn't think i'd like the latter option but found I really enjoyed the variation much more than I thought I would (the travel is really the only downside)

The fundamental changes in design & environment from one course to another, including different grasses, fairways, greens etc (even different sand in the bunkers) makes for more of an all round challenge of the game. I don't doubt I'd be scoring better if all my rounds were at one course too as I'd learn all the course and weather variables from a single course and how to play in them much more easily than 6 courses
I know for the challenge someones 'home course is different everyday' (but its not really) As you say its typically just the conditions that change, so the wind might change direction on the odd occasion, it might be a tad warmer, wetter, the tees might go forward etc etc but inherently it is the same course with the same holes, same grass, same hazards etc etc same menu in the clubhouse even (without even considering the differences in links, parkland and the rest)

Due to a new course opening very near me this last 12mnths has seen about half my rounds played at this one course with the rest still spread around and while I never get bored, I do yearn for the other courses if I haven't been out and about to somewhere else for three or four weeks running

When I get back to the UK I'll probably join one place (probably manage to drop the handicap too) but other than the odd day-out I'll likely miss out on this variety because I've paid a membership (and I'll gain the benefits of that membership) but I will lose out when it comes to the sheer scale of variation in the game

I can see the logic here and if memberships were designed around access to multiple courses, I think more people would go for them. However, there would probably need to be a good portfolio of courses all of a similar stature and quality.

That said, I think there is a different challenge to playing the same course each week. I used to play at quite a short course, with 8 par 3s. Most of them were strong par 3s with decent sized greens (by par 3 standards) but you would get into a bad habit of taking the same club up to the same tee each week, without accounting for wind / temperature or pin position. If you were only playing that course once a month, you wouldn't form the same habit and would take much more care over your club selection.

 

[shortgame]

No doubt. And the club does accept visitors and societies at quiet times but what they don't (thankfully) do is undersell themselves by flogging off very cheap deals. They know their worth.

 

[Slab]

I can see the logic here and if memberships were designed around access to multiple courses, I think more people would go for them. However, there would probably need to be a good portfolio of courses all of a similar stature and quality.

That said, I think there is a different challenge to playing the same course each week. I used to play at quite a short course, with 8 par 3s. Most of them were strong par 3s with decent sized greens (by par 3 standards) but you would get into a bad habit of taking the same club up to the same tee each week, without accounting for wind / temperature or pin position. If you were only playing that course once a month, you wouldn't form the same habit and would take much more care over your club selection.

Yeah there's a lot to be said for beating/bettering the same course in any condition. (I've a par 3 near me that I've hit everything from 8iron to driver on depending on wind/pin) though my comment was really an opinion on the question asked; why wouldn't someone want to play the same course every week

 

[Grant85]

Yeah there's a lot to be said for beating/bettering the same course in any condition. (I've a par 3 near me that I've hit everything from 8iron to driver on depending on wind/pin) though my comment was really an opinion on the question asked; why wouldn't someone want to play the same course every week

Yes - I think generally this is budget based and the fact that people pay an annual fee to access a single venue. Even if they can afford to play different courses, there is still the financial decision to be made every time you venture elsewhere.

I'd reckon most people would play different courses each week if it wasn't a financial impact on doing so, even if their 'home' course was the best in the area.

In the states, many golfers just pay to play each week so there is a culture there of constantly evaluating cost, condition, course, distance, time per round etc.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Yes - I think generally this is budget based and the fact that people pay an annual fee to access a single venue. Even if they can afford to play different courses, there is still the financial decision to be made every time you venture elsewhere.

I'd reckon most people would play different courses each week if it wasn't a financial impact on doing so, even if their 'home' course was the best in the area.

In the states, many golfers just pay to play each week so there is a culture there of constantly evaluating cost, condition, course, distance, time per round etc.

In my case the decision to be a member only of the one club is definitely budget based especially with the cost of fees annually. Fortunately my club does have a number of reciprocal arrangements with other clubs meaning we can play there for nothing at certain times so we definitely have a degree of choice should we want it. I am restricting my ventures to other courses to club matches (if selected) and the 2019 GM meets at Sunningdale, The Addington and H4H/Hankley Common

For me, my course presents more than a stern enough test and I never get bored of playing it and I simply go out to play as well as I can on any given day. With reasonable practice facilities, there's more than enough to keep me occupied and I can't see why I'd want to pay to join another club locally

 

[Italian outcast]

I'm hoping to join my local club over here (as in my signature) after playing a bit last year as a guest
Going down later this month to get details about likelihood and process (and fees) don't know about joining fees here
I've played with a few members and all seemed friendly and welcoming
Interview in Italian would be interesting (mines mediocre at best at the moment) - and European clubs have additional things (maybe even a round with the pro or senior member)

In follow up to an earlier post - I finally joined the local course over here in Italy as a full member
Process could not have been easier - no interview or even talking to a playing member - more or less hand over the money (at least there was no joining fee) + join the Italian Golf Federation

Need to have some form of session with the pro before i can play in any competition - 30 minutes on the range I think - hope there is not a rules test in there

Then I think I start with an EGA handicap of 54
I assume I can then play in QF's over the next few weeks - not sure how many I need to play as a minimum to allow me to establish something a bit more realistic

 

[Crazyface]

In follow up to an earlier post - I finally joined the local course over here in Italy as a full member
Process could not have been easier - no interview or even talking to a playing member - more or less hand over the money (at least there was no joining fee) + join the Italian Golf Federation

Need to have some form of session with the pro before i can play in any competition - 30 minutes on the range I think - hope there is not a rules test in there

Then I think I start with an EGA handicap of 54
I assume I can then play in QF's over the next few weeks - not sure how many I need to play as a minimum to allow me to establish something a bit more realistic

You'll get you handicap after you've played 3 QF rounds.

What was the cost to join if you don't mind me asking?

 

[duncan mackie]

You'll get you handicap after you've played 3 QF rounds.

What was the cost to join if you don't mind me asking?

What on earth do you base this on? To my mind its wrong on both reference points - its 1 round rather than 3 and won't be whatever is indicated by a QF round either.

 

[Bxm Foxy]

Apologies If it's been mentioned before, the club I used to be a member at is an 1895 club. A really good reciprocal arrangement with other 1895 clubs worldwide.

 

[patricks148]

with an ageing population, I'm still not sure why clubs continue to reduce membership fees for under 40's. clubs IMO should be targeting older people,who have more time more money.
i wasn't the slightest bit interested in playing when i was under 40 and i can't be an isolated case.

 

[Tashyboy]

What on earth do you base this on? To my mind its wrong on both reference points - its 1 round rather than 3 and won't be whatever is indicated by a QF round either.

Duncan, without sounding thick ( again). What is the criteria to getting a hcap. I thought when you started from scratch/ the beginning 😉Bob, it was three rounds and the best score from those with a bit of fettling.

 

[bobmac]

I thought when you started from scratch it was three rounds and the best score from those with a bit of fettling.

The pedants' heads will be exploding

 

[Tashyboy]

The pedants' heads will be exploding

Just seen it 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

 

[duncan mackie]

Duncan, without sounding thick ( again). What is the criteria to getting a hcap. I thought when you started from scratch/ the beginning 😉Bob, it was three rounds and the best score from those with a bit of fettling.

The criteria will be as laid down from time to time by the issuing authority.
In this instance that is the EGA who are responsible for handicapping for clubs in the Italian Golf Federation, as laid out in the post.
Their current basis is laid out in section 3.11 of their manual.
They work from 18 holes of scores played under handicap conditions (if you only play 9 holes they will still allocate a handicap using the 9 hole stableford adjustment system)...and away you go.
Get them in, get them started and let the enjoyment begin 😎

 

[Tashyboy]

The criteria will be as laid down from time to time by the issuing authority.
In this instance that is the EGA who are responsible for handicapping for clubs in the Italian Golf Federation, as laid out in the post.
Their current basis is laid out in section 3.11 of their manual.
They work from 18 holes of scores played under handicap conditions (if you only play 9 holes they will still allocate a handicap using the 9 hole stableford adjustment system)...and away you go.
Get them in, get them started and let the enjoyment begin 😎

Cheers me man. 👍

 

[bobmac]

Duncan, without sounding thick ( again). What is the criteria to getting a hcap. I thought when you started from scratch/ the beginning 😉Bob, it was three rounds and the best score from those with a bit of fettling.

''You will need to submit sufficient cards to provide scores for 54 holes of golf, which must be 9 hole or 18 hole scores. Once you have submitted these scores your Handicap Committee will allot you a handicap.''