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How do you use your club?

I've been a member for 18 years. For the first 10 I probably had a drink after playing, perhaps something to eat depending on the time of day but rarely attended anything social. I would occasionally drag the wife up to a presentation if I'd won something (which she wasn't that keen on as she didn't really know anyone).

Since then I've been involved with the committee and Mrs had to spend more time there, got to know a few people and found she actually enjoyed the place. She has now got to know all the regulars as well as I do. Our best friends also joined a couple of years ago and last year Mrs Fylde started playing golf herself. We now attend most social events and it is pretty much our second home but we have had no kids at home for a good few years now so we are able to just do our own thing.
 
9 times out of 10 i'll pop in for a drink and a chat after a round. Sometimes i'll eat aswell and sometimes i'll take the wife up too for a spot of lunch. Occasionally I just want to play and get away early to watch the rugby or whatever. Always seem to be topping the bar levy card up though (sometimes I just wish they'd take a few hundred pounds at the start of the year and be done with it)

I too have no probs with people who just want to play their golf and leave , its up to them how they use a facility they've paid for
 
Almost unheard of to not go in for a drink after a game but there has been the odd occaision due to other pressing engagements.

In the summer, especially if it's a club match, I'll be up at the club for about 10am for a natter and some gossip, play a few holes and then have a bite to eat. Play the match and back in for a drink, food & speaches etc then roll out of the club at about 7pm.

I too have no proble with "car park" golfers as long as they don't expect or take advantage of the clubs support in other things like away day matches etc.
 
On a Saturday I will go into the clubhouse after a round and have a couple of (soft) drinks and something to eat with my playing partners, staying for an hour or so.
On Sundays again I will have a drink and a chat, but will not stay as long as i love my roast dinners.

I live over 15 miles away from my club so its not convienent to use it socially during the week.
 
Does anyone think their clubhouse can be an intimidating place especially for new guys? it is sometimes difficult to gain access to a clique, and unless you play more than a few times a week it is hard to become well known. I know at my last club when I went into the clubhouse there were always the same group of lads sat in the same place all laughing and joking, shouting and swearing. I just didn't feel part of it at all,I am not stand offish and I will always try to join in the banter, but the following week when I played with a different group I was back to square one so I found myself going in less and less.It can take a lot of time to be accepted as one of the lads at some clubs.
 
I'm in the 'play a round and stay for a couple of beer's' camp on this one as well, i always stay for something to eat and a few more IF THE CLUBHOUSE IS OPEN.
Our clubhouse shuts at 7.30pm weekends :D :D
(to save money)
We all joined last year (x5) and we like to have the customary banter that goes with winning :mad:, i spent £400+ last year on my card along with the other 4 mates.
If everyone or even 70% used the clubhouse a little bit more then perhaps our green fees would not have gone up £75.00 this year. :( :(
We only have £30 put on our cards at the start and i think that is not enough.
What do others think? / get put on their cards?
We also introduce a lot of guest's and we have encouraged another mate to join this year to make 6 of us now.
Our course is exceptional and members are very easy to talk to. Also members take priority at all times so perhaps the clubhouse is just a small thing to moan about!! ;)
 
Drawboy - sssh, don't mention cliques, touchy subject at the moment on here!! :D

You can't expect a group of friends to jump up and invite the new guy over as soon as you walk in the bar, and that is in no way exclusive to golf clubs.

You've just got to keep playing with different folk, go in the bar and have your drink you'll become a familiar face around the club especially if you are good company.
 
You can't expect a group of friends to jump up and invite the new guy over as soon as you walk in the bar, and that is in no way exclusive to golf clubs.

You've just got to keep playing with different folk, go in the bar and have your drink you'll become a familiar face around the club especially if you are good company.

Yeah, I agree. We encourage new members to do just that. The basic message is that if you want to get into the club and make friends then you won't do that from your front room. The more you use the club the quicker it will happen.
 
I rarely visit my club. Totally cheesed off with the restrictions placed on teeing off times on Sundays which is about the only time I can get to play because I work every Saturday.
Was really looking forward to being a member there after joining last March but totally disillusioned by the whole thing and don't think I will be renewing come April 1st.
I guess it's just me.
I like playing social golf with my friends, and as I can't get them on to the course at a sensible time then I'd rather play elsewhere and will go back to my nomadic golf style of the past 9 years or so.

If you haven't used up all your allocated rounds, can you flog the unused balance on ?

 
I suppose because the bar isn't 'ours', it's not big on the social side. I'll stop for a drink or two after a medal in winter but in summer it's an early medal tee then back to work, or an evening round and few about then.
 
AW is spot on, I hardly set foot on the turf for large periods when my 2 were young, let alone the bar.

Now they are 19 & 16, its massively different.

Tonto: No offence, but are you sure your use of the Club and the 'missus leaving' arent inextricably linked, but you're just not aware of it ?
 
I always try to stay for a pint or 2 and a bit of banter with everyone else after a medal round, usually go down on a Friday night too. Its handy for me as I live 5mins walk from the course so I dont have to worry about driving home. I also try to support the various pool, darts & table tennis competitions that are held during the winter.
 
My club has a £50 bar levy which if you haven't spent in the course of a year (and yes there are loads who don't) the balance gets taken off and back into club funds. We also get a £100 credit for introducing a new member
 
Full day...
Arrive at club, bacon sandwich and coffee.
30-60 practice balls at the range, followed by some chipping and putting practice.
18 holes, (24points!)

A bite to eat and few beers in the clubhouse with playing partners, and maybe a game of snooker.

BushFinder
 
I use the golf club quite a bit. Play golf wenesday evenings(light permiting), friday afternoon, saturday afternoon and the odd sunday. A group of us meet up fridays, turn up saturday at lunch time and get a game with whoever is in the bar and if i do play sundays, i will sometimes arrange it on a saturday as it can be a bit quiet sunday lunch time. Always stay for a beer after the game, enjoy the banter and collecting the winnings (occasionally). Cant understand the car park golfers. Out of their car, race round as fast as poss, jump back in their car and home. I understand some people have to get away, but they miss out on so much. I use the restaurant and practise facilities. We have a club card which we buy all our drinks and food on, which gives us 33% off, one reason to stay for a beer. We just top it up when it gets low, min of £20.
Sundays if i dont have a comp, i take my grandson Luis to the peewees, between 10am and 11am.
So yes, i enjoy all the aspects of my golf club both playing and socially.
 
I fall into all catagories if I'm being honest. Sometimes I change my shoes in the car park (just don't tell anyone!)go out, play a round or a few holes and get back into my car. I can also drive up to the car park at the 4th and start their for a few holes.

I am also more than happy to go into the bar afterwards, especially after a medal or a competition, have a pint and a chat. I also enjoy this when taking guests up and have a meal as well.

Finally the wife and I quite regularly head up to the golf club for a spot of lunch if we're both off. Its decent enough food. They are also happy to serve the kids.
 
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