Golf clubs low on membership

[Orikoru]

I joined a club within ten miles or so of you fifteen years ago, after playing there many times paying green fees. The first few times I used the Members Only locker room, I discovered that a large proportion of the members in there were openly, horribly racist. Back to the Visitors locker room, and I started counting down the months left on my membership.

Damn, that must have been extremely saddening to hear. I did have a similar experience with two members of our club, and what made it worse was that it was during drinks after a match against another club, so I found myself apologising on their behalf to our opponents, lest they give our club a bad name. I comfort myself with the fact that these two are well in their 70s and hopefully not long for this world. Thankfully every other member I've met in my two years has been sound.

 

[Homer]

This one's tempting isn't it......................?

"There are two ways of joining ..........Golf Club as a new member. The usual way is through an existing member who must propose you with an introductory letter and seek support from several other members. If you are not known to members, there is an exceptional self proposing procedure which involves submitting a personal application letter and form plus support from suitable referees. Either way and once vetting and interviews have been completed satisfactorily, you can then be entered in a waiting pool of applicants from which new members may be selected from time to time. Once selected, you will be invited to join and become a member on payment of a joining fee and annual subscription."

Straight from their website, really nice golf course though.

It’s not West Surrey - I know that!

 

[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)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

This one's tempting isn't it......................?

"There are two ways of joining ..........Golf Club as a new member. The usual way is through an existing member who must propose you with an introductory letter and seek support from several other members. If you are not known to members, there is an exceptional self proposing procedure which involves submitting a personal application letter and form plus support from suitable referees. Either way and once vetting and interviews have been completed satisfactorily, you can then be entered in a waiting pool of applicants from which new members may be selected from time to time. Once selected, you will be invited to join and become a member on payment of a joining fee and annual subscription."

Straight from their website, really nice golf course though.

Sounds like Rye. Know they were running that sort of policy about ten years ago
Further to the subject of blatant racism, that's sad to hear about in todays modern society but it just shows how insular and stuck in their ways some of the older members of golf clubs are and perhaps indicates to a degree why some clubs are finding it hard to transist into a more modern club and one that would appeal to racially diverse and younger golfers and offer an open and pleasurable experience on and off the course

 

[Deleted member 21258]

This one's tempting isn't it......................?

"There are two ways of joining ..........Golf Club as a new member. The usual way is through an existing member who must propose you with an introductory letter and seek support from several other members. If you are not known to members, there is an exceptional self proposing procedure which involves submitting a personal application letter and form plus support from suitable referees. Either way and once vetting and interviews have been completed satisfactorily, you can then be entered in a waiting pool of applicants from which new members may be selected from time to time. Once selected, you will be invited to join and become a member on payment of a joining fee and annual subscription."

Straight from their website, really nice golf course though.

They have missed one trick that I am having to do shortly, you having to play a round with a couple of officers to obtain their support as well as all the above, so that they can support your application if you do not know any members. You could suggest it to West SUssex, to improve their vetting procedure.

I suppose I think at least they do have an option available to people who do not know any members that wish to join, which is a good thing but its not very welcoming

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I think in an interview situation you would have to say something pretty bad or express something not in the clubs interest to be rejected. I think there is a need for interviews and if people don't want to attend a 15 minute interview they really can't be very serious about joining

...and I think it worthwhile the membership secretary pointing out to any prospective member face-to-face and in the nicest way that the club has rules and expectations in respect of etiquette and behaviour that all members are expected to adhere to - and that miscreants are pulled up...and if the prospective member doesn't like the sound of that and cheerio - then fine - so be it.

 

[sunshine]

Sounds like Rye. Know they were running that sort of policy about ten years ago
Further to the subject of blatant racism, that's sad to hear about in todays modern society but it just shows how insular and stuck in their ways some of the older members of golf clubs are and perhaps indicates to a degree why some clubs are finding it hard to transist into a more modern club and one that would appeal to racially diverse and younger golfers and offer an open and pleasurable experience on and off the course

Doubt you can self propose yourself and join Rye without knowing any members. That place is pretty much a closed shop unless you know the right people.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

This one's tempting isn't it......................?

"There are two ways of joining ..........Golf Club as a new member. The usual way is through an existing member who must propose you with an introductory letter and seek support from several other members. If you are not known to members, there is an exceptional self proposing procedure which involves submitting a personal application letter and form plus support from suitable referees. Either way and once vetting and interviews have been completed satisfactorily, you can then be entered in a waiting pool of applicants from which new members may be selected from time to time. Once selected, you will be invited to join and become a member on payment of a joining fee and annual subscription."

Straight from their website, really nice golf course though.

I’m struggling to see what’s the problem ?

It’s prob clearly a course that is attractive to people and I suspect it’s a private members club so they would like something in place to ensure the right people for them join the club

 

[robinthehood]

Ultimately there are more courses

I’m struggling to see what’s the problem ?

It’s prob clearly a course that is attractive to people and I suspect it’s a private members club so they would like something in place to ensure the right people for them join the club

It is up to them, I'm not sure what you mean by the right people though.....

I thought golf was trying to shed it's stuffy old image and be more inclusive.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Ultimately there are more courses
It is up to them, I'm not sure what you mean by the right people though.....

I thought golf was trying to shed it's stuffy old image and be more inclusive.

Maybe they want people who are looking to be fully involved in the club , maybe they want people who value the old traditions etc etc - who knows what their set criteria is but most of the top private courses will have one - and they can because they are courses most want to play and be a member off. Just because there is a joining process doesn’t mean it’s stuffy or not inclusive.

 

[duncan mackie]

Sounds like Rye. Know they were running that sort of policy about ten years ago

Rye certainly haven't relaxed their membership process to anything like that degree!

 

[Jacko_G]

Would I get blackballed during an interview if I mentioned I had no intention to tend the flag ever, regardless of the situation???

 

[woofers]

Maybe they want people who are looking to be fully involved in the club , maybe they want people who value the old traditions etc etc - who knows what their set criteria is but most of the top private courses will have one - and they can because they are courses most want to play and be a member off. Just because there is a joining process doesn’t mean it’s stuffy or not inclusive.

Trust me, this place is certainly stuffy and not inclusive. You are interviewed, "vetted !", and put on a waiting list. After x years, and no vacancies (for you), you have to go through the whole scenario again. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you are ex military officer rank or some other honour and certainly part of the establishment. You must also enjoy singles or foursomes golf, any other form of golf is anathema to them. It's the sort of place that I expect the application form to ask for your breed of dog, and if that isn't Labrador, you won't get much further.
But it is still a delightful golf course.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Trust me, this place is certainly stuffy and not inclusive. You are interviewed, "vetted !", and put on a waiting list. After x years, and no vacancies (for you), you have to go through the whole scenario again. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you are ex military officer rank or some other honour and certainly part of the establishment. You must also enjoy singles or foursomes golf, any other form of golf is anathema to them. It's the sort of place that I expect the application form to ask for your breed of dog, and if that isn't Labrador, you won't get much further.
But it is still a delightful golf course.

And I’m going to guess they are full and have a waiting list which shows they have no problems getting members - and the reason why will be simple , their product is good and attractive - the course.

 

[anotherdouble]

Trust me, this place is certainly stuffy and not inclusive. You are interviewed, "vetted !", and put on a waiting list. After x years, and no vacancies (for you), you have to go through the whole scenario again. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you are ex military officer rank or some other honour and certainly part of the establishment. You must also enjoy singles or foursomes golf, any other form of golf is anathema to them. It's the sort of place that I expect the application form to ask for your breed of dog, and if that isn't Labrador, you won't get much further.
But it is still a delightful golf course.

And is it located in the Pulborough/Storrington area

 

[HomerJSimpson]

And I’m going to guess they are full and have a waiting list which shows they have no problems getting members - and the reason why will be simple , their product is good and attractive - the course.

Sounds the opposite to me. Sounds like they are trying to stay firmly in the 1970's and want to be exclusive elite and to be honest (in my opinion) snobbish. The whole idea of "vetting" and making a potential wait and then repeat the process is definitely not designed to be inclusive. To me it's very sad, irrespective of the quality of the "product" that it's being like this. I would even suggest that perhaps they aren't full (so would rather give their well heeled existing members higher fees each year) but don't want to be

 

[Deleted member 15344]

And is it located in the Pulborough/Storrington area

It is indeed and it’s a beautiful course

 

[richart]

It is indeed and it’s a beautiful course

Though they let anyone pay a visitors green fee, even me and Smiffy.

 

[Jacko_G]

And I’m going to guess they are full and have a waiting list which shows they have no problems getting members - and the reason why will be simple , their product is good and attractive - the course.

You can have a great product and not be an "exclusive" club. Plenty of "inclusive" great product clubs too.

And by exclusive and inclusive I mean membership wise.

 

[woofers]

And I’m going to guess they are full and have a waiting list which shows they have no problems getting members - and the reason why will be simple , their product is good and attractive - the course.

You're right Phil, I really shouldn't be posting about them on this thread, because this is about golf clubs that are low on membership.
However, they are mostly everything the golfing world, in trying to 'grow the game', tell the rest of world golf isn't. Elitist.
It's full because many of the members are either full of themselves or too pompous to consider playing anywhere else, and like minds attract. And good luck to them, and anyone else on this forum who believes that is what a successful golf club should be.