Golf Random Irritations

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Been looking at memberships for next year as hoping to be home more so have sent out enquiries last week to 4 clubs that l like the look of and am interested in more info for myself and the Mrs to join .

In 7 days I’ve only had 2 email responses and been completely ghosted by 1 club so tried ringing them to politely chase. I got through today and rudely got told we don’t do phone enquires you’ll have to email and just wait and we’ll get to you if we can (that ones quickly removed itself from my potential list)

The other annoyance is one of the clubs that did email me sent a quite blunt reply basically saying this is the fee! There’s a joining fee, a waiting list (no problem) and you have to pay and an additional fee of £50 each to pay to be just be put onto the waiting list, they called it a “waiting list subscription fee”!

Now I don’t mind a joining fee as long as there is a benefit to it and it’s costing is broken down as to what I’m paying for but to basically pay £100 for me and my wife to go on a waiting list and it’s not even deductible from subs or main joining fee should we become members! For that alone I’m also out as it’s dead money just for someone to add our names to a spreadsheet! Worst part is didn’t answer any of my questions and just signed off with their bank details and stating to advise them once I’d paid the fee so they could contact me to actually answer my queries!

So I’m down to 2 before I’d even had chance to speak properly with all of them. Fortunately the other 2 have been very helpful in their responses and laid out what we get for the fees, how they would welcome us as new members and what their ladies section can do for Mrs M. So at least some positive has come from it

 

[Lord Tyrion]

@Lucifer MorningStar sad to say, none of that surprises me. When putting together golf trips I am always amazed at how few courses respond to emails and questions. Most are decent sized clubs as well, employing a general manager or equivalent.

 

[clubchamp98]

Been looking at memberships for next year as hoping to be home more so have sent out enquiries last week to 4 clubs that l like the look of and am interested in more info for myself and the Mrs to join .

In 7 days I’ve only had 2 email responses and been completely ghosted by 1 club so tried ringing them to politely chase. I got through today and rudely got told we don’t do phone enquires you’ll have to email and just wait and we’ll get to you if we can (that ones quickly removed itself from my potential list)

The other annoyance is one of the clubs that did email me sent a quite blunt reply basically saying this is the fee! There’s a joining fee, a waiting list (no problem) and you have to pay and an additional fee of £50 each to pay to be just be put onto the waiting list, they called it a “waiting list subscription fee”!

Now I don’t mind a joining fee as long as there is a benefit to it and it’s costing is broken down as to what I’m paying for but to basically pay £100 for me and my wife to go on a waiting list and it’s not even deductible from subs or main joining fee should we become members! For that alone I’m also out as it’s dead money just for someone to add our names to a spreadsheet! Worst part is didn’t answer any of my questions and just signed off with their bank details and stating to advise them once I’d paid the fee so they could contact me to actually answer my queries!

So I’m down to 2 before I’d even had chance to speak properly with all of them. Fortunately the other 2 have been very helpful in their responses and laid out what we get for the fees, how they would welcome us as new members and what their ladies section can do for Mrs M. So at least some positive has come from it

Sad state of golf clubs .
I’m also not suprized by this.

 

[Imurg]

Maybe the people working there have an overactive Can't be bothered gene..

 

[IanM]

Sad state of golf clubs .
I’m also not suprized by this.

Some are excellent, some, I'm amazed they are still operating!

Saunton nowcharge a fee to go on the waiting list. Keeps the list cleaner, as only serious folk on it. It comes off your first invoice.

 

[D-S]

Some are excellent, some, I'm amazed they are still operating!

Saunton nowcharge a fee to go on the waiting list. Keeps the list cleaner, as only serious folk on it. It comes off your first invoice.

We started doing this, we also allowed people on the list to use the practice facilities and waived the only being able to pay a guest green fee 6 times a year rule for them. It’s important to be able to understand if your list is real otherwise when vacancies arise you suddenly find at that their name was down at a few clubs and they have already joined elsewhere.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

To join our waiting list you have to pay £100 which comes off first bill

Or you join as a social member first which gets you into the club - you are also able to get some rounds at members guest rate

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

@Lucifer MorningStar sad to say, none of that surprises me. When putting together golf trips I am always amazed at how few courses respond to emails and questions. Most are decent sized clubs as well, employing a general manager or equivalent.

Genuinely shocked how some clubs manage to maintain incomes or even members with such poor attitudes towards potential new members and income.

Some are excellent, some, I'm amazed they are still operating!

Saunton nowcharge a fee to go on the waiting list. Keeps the list cleaner, as only serious folk on it. It comes off your first invoice.

I’d have no issue with that if it was deducted from the overall joining fee or first years subs. But no the email categorically states it’s a waiting list subscription fee and is not deducted from any future payments! So for that reason I’m out and the fact they wouldn’t answer any questions till I’d paid it! Seems far to elitist and poor customer service.

 

[Bazz]

Been looking at memberships for next year as hoping to be home more so have sent out enquiries last week to 4 clubs that l like the look of and am interested in more info for myself and the Mrs to join .

In 7 days I’ve only had 2 email responses and been completely ghosted by 1 club so tried ringing them to politely chase. I got through today and rudely got told we don’t do phone enquires you’ll have to email and just wait and we’ll get to you if we can (that ones quickly removed itself from my potential list)

The other annoyance is one of the clubs that did email me sent a quite blunt reply basically saying this is the fee! There’s a joining fee, a waiting list (no problem) and you have to pay and an additional fee of £50 each to pay to be just be put onto the waiting list, they called it a “waiting list subscription fee”!

Now I don’t mind a joining fee as long as there is a benefit to it and it’s costing is broken down as to what I’m paying for but to basically pay £100 for me and my wife to go on a waiting list and it’s not even deductible from subs or main joining fee should we become members! For that alone I’m also out as it’s dead money just for someone to add our names to a spreadsheet! Worst part is didn’t answer any of my questions and just signed off with their bank details and stating to advise them once I’d paid the fee so they could contact me to actually answer my queries!

So I’m down to 2 before I’d even had chance to speak properly with all of them. Fortunately the other 2 have been very helpful in their responses and laid out what we get for the fees, how they would welcome us as new members and what their ladies section can do for Mrs M. So at least some positive has come from it

Probably haven't been getting offered free golf so can't be arsed to reply.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Will depend on the size of club as well and who is employed to pick up the emails , if they have small amount of staff they should have some sort of auto response etc

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Will depend on the size of club as well and who is employed to pick up the emails , if they have small amount of staff they should have some sort of auto response etc

Even a club with a small office staff should be able to send a reply within 7 days that’s not an acceptable level of service. Plus a decent telephone manner never hurt anyone.

 

[NearHull]

Even a club with a small office staff should be able to send a reply within 7 days that’s not an acceptable level of service. Plus a decent telephone manner never hurt anyone.

Would let us know up your local area, I would hope we are not one of the crappy response clubs.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Even a club with a small office staff should be able to send a reply within 7 days that’s not an acceptable level of service. Plus a decent telephone manner never hurt anyone.

They should be we all know that some don’t , what area are you looking in

Guess it will all depend on how full some clubs are

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Would let us know up your local area, I would hope we are not one of the crappy response clubs.

North Hampshire/Surry Border

They should be we all know that some don’t , what area are you looking in

Guess it will all depend on how full some clubs are

I don’t care how full a club is. It’s poor admin and I would in no way want to be somewhere that staff simply refuse to help people or don’t have the decency to reply.

Locations as above.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

North Hampshire/Surry Border

I don’t care how full a club is. It’s poor admin and I would in no way want to be somewhere that staff simply refuse to help people or don’t have the decency to reply.

Locations as above.

They prob just don’t need the members right now

Have the same when trying to sort out society’s as well

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

They prob just don’t need the members right now

Have the same when trying to sort out society’s as well

That’s an absolute cop out of an answer. Whether someone needs members or not that doesn’t excuse poor customer service. Courtesy costs nothing but it does stop people coming back in future.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

That’s an absolute cop out of an answer. Whether someone needs members or not that doesn’t excuse poor customer service. Courtesy costs nothing but it does stop people coming back in future.

What sort of answer is expected

No one is excusing poor customer service

But most are aware that it happens

You can go drive to the club and tell them , add a Google review , add a review on the top 100 site - If they do care then they will see those reviews and find out what’s happening

Those that run the club may not be aware that those in the admin office are providing a poor service

 

[Slab]

Been looking at memberships for next year as hoping to be home more so have sent out enquiries last week to 4 clubs that l like the look of and am interested in more info for myself and the Mrs to join .

In 7 days I’ve only had 2 email responses and been completely ghosted by 1 club so tried ringing them to politely chase. I got through today and rudely got told we don’t do phone enquires you’ll have to email and just wait and we’ll get to you if we can (that ones quickly removed itself from my potential list)

The other annoyance is one of the clubs that did email me sent a quite blunt reply basically saying this is the fee! There’s a joining fee, a waiting list (no problem) and you have to pay and an additional fee of £50 each to pay to be just be put onto the waiting list, they called it a “waiting list subscription fee”!

Now I don’t mind a joining fee as long as there is a benefit to it and it’s costing is broken down as to what I’m paying for but to basically pay £100 for me and my wife to go on a waiting list and it’s not even deductible from subs or main joining fee should we become members! For that alone I’m also out as it’s dead money just for someone to add our names to a spreadsheet! Worst part is didn’t answer any of my questions and just signed off with their bank details and stating to advise them once I’d paid the fee so they could contact me to actually answer my queries!

So I’m down to 2 before I’d even had chance to speak properly with all of them. Fortunately the other 2 have been very helpful in their responses and laid out what we get for the fees, how they would welcome us as new members and what their ladies section can do for Mrs M. So at least some positive has come from it

In all honestly if the club/s get a prospective member email from Lucifer and Lilith asking about course access, integrating themselves into the membership and connecting with like minded folks to socialise with post round, I’m not surprised there might be a wee delay while they script that reply!



To the point though, some golf clubs are really really poor at this kind of thing and can barely keep up a pretence of being a business

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

In all honestly if the club/s get a prospective member email from Lucifer and Lilith asking about course access, integrating themselves into the membership and connecting with like minded folks to socialise with post round, I’m not surprised there might be a wee delay while they script that reply!



To the point though, some golf clubs are really really poor at this kind of thing and can barely keep up a pretence of being a business

Love what you did there , don’t worry we’ll tell them we will try it to bring the little Demons with us

 

[IanM]

"Some" clubs offices are not staffed effectively and/or are way behind the times, in both attitude and process.

I got an email this week with two contradictory bullet points in the same section. I emailed to highlight the error. I'm not expecting a reply.

The other clubs I'm at wouldn't have made the error in the first place.