hard choice

[donutwheels]

would you

a)splash out on flashy new irons for xmas and join a 'regular' £500-600pa golf course

or b) join the celtic manor and have access to their 2 courses for the year with ryder cup tickets.

I've come to my sense that new irons don't improve my game. So I may opt for b)

 

[Parmo]

I would go for A depending if you can maintain to be a member of Celtic Manor in the future or just the one year.

 

[ColinR]

B. All the way. Half way through the year you could 'find' the money for new clubs.

As oppose to, if you go for A then halfway through the year you find the extra money, you cant go join Celtic Manor.

 

[David_L]

I'm in a similar position but without the Celtic Manor choice; stick with my 12+ year irons and join a club or buy new irons and join a not so swanky club.

In your position I would take Option B (like Colin has said above ou may awlays find the cash for new irons but to join a club like that well.....)

 

[SS2]

It depends on how good your current irons are. I recently got a new set (Burner '09s) to replace my 1995 Titleist DCIs and the difference was night and day. If your irons are ok, then I would go for the Celtic Manor option. If not, splash the cash on the metal !

 

[CliveW]

Joining Celtic Manor with two courses might seem a good option, but remember you can only play one course at a time, so by paying extra for two courses might not work out as a sound financial decision. Also with the Ryder Cup being held there, you will have a lot of disruption during the preperation and while the competition is on, and you won't be able to play the course for that time. (Free tickets wouldn't compensate me I'm afraid)
Also how is it as a "Club"? Some great courses are not good clubs and depend on visitors to make it pay, therefore tee times and comps are limited.
I would think hard about this decision. I had the opportunity to join Gleneagles and these were the reasons why I didn't.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree. It seems a good deal to be a member of Celtic Manor but the Ryder Cup course will be out of action for some time in preparation and for clearing up after which means everyone will be on the other courses. Given the amount of society and corporate bookings they have anyway which is bound to increase next year I fear that you may have trouble getting on or at least at a timne to suit.

For me I'd rather upgrade my irons and find a decent club which has good facilities (practice ground, decent pro and pro shop and smart and clean locker room and clubhouse) and which runs competitions frequently (ideally drawn) and most importantlyfor me would be one where I could roll up and go on if I got an afternoon off etc without having to worry about booking a time.

 

[freddielong]

new irons will not improve your game playing a tougher course might

 

[Scobie]

new irons will not improve your game playing a tougher course might

I disagree.It depends on the irons you've already got but i do think that new irons can improve your game once you get custom fitted.
I got new irons at the start of the year and they've made a big difference to my game.

 

[Herbie]

If you can afford to splash out for 'flashy' new irons for xmas AND join a club at £600 PA, you can afford to join Celtic and buy last years flashy irons. If talking casually about such outlay in either case makes you feel you have a difficult financial ballance act to play, I would say its silly talk with no contest, unless of course you are living purely off a pension or are already heavily in debt?

If I could afford to splash out £600 for membership and £400 to £800 for flashy clubs at the same time, I would be financially able to join Celtic and buy last years clubs. there isnt that much difference for one years committment

 

[DMC]

I would do both,and as a added bonus my wife probably wouldnt talk to me for a fortnight.

 

[mono217]

Option B defo