How is your club getting new members ?

[0]

We have all seen the stats about how old the average member is and how you go up the club and the flag is always at half mast but how is your club getting new members ?

Are you having open days ? free rounds etc ?
Are joining fees suspended and gone for good a part from the really exclusive clubs ?
What about other forms of membership rather than full or 5 day ?
Any voucher schemes etc ?

 

[percy_layer]

Some of the clubs i'm involved with are doing the 'Get into Golf' initiative in conjunction with the County Golf Partnership in a few months, and later in the year we're doing the 'Get back into Golf' initiative.

Another club is doing an Open Weekend to allow possible new members a chance to experience the golf club and receive free coaching.


It's not just the average age of members that is a problem, there has been a steady reduction in membership numbers over the last 10 or so years.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Well it appears the poewr of the forum knows no bounds. HID has had a membership enquiry at Sand Martins and in the part "where did you hear about SM" the guy put - Golf Monthly Forum. Not sure which one of you it was but it was a guy called Richard

 

[HawkeyeMS]

RAGC ran a 14 months for the price of 12 with deferred joining fee in January and has one of the cheapest joining fees in the area. By the sounds of things we have also been helped by some other clubs round here making membership faux Pas. I'm not sure what Laleham did but by all accounts we recruited 30 of their members in January. I've also heard that we got a couple of members from clubs who have started charging their full members £10 a round at the weekends - can you believe that.

 

[mostivoi]

Were running a scheme. Bronze silver and gold memberships. Cheapest bronze is a bargain. Not seen any advertising though which is a worry. Its on the website but it should be plastered over every paper. We definitly need some younger members. Only had 15 between the age of 20 and 30. Club needs moving into 2011 younger members would really help that

 

[0]

Were running a scheme. Bronze silver and gold memberships. Cheapest bronze is a bargain. Not seen any advertising though which is a worry. Its on the website but it should be plastered over every paper. We definitly need some younger members. Only had 15 between the age of 20 and 30. Club needs moving into 2011 younger members would really help that

Just checked out the advert on the site -
Some questions i would ask is what do current members think about this offer.
Have you lost any full time members and therefore revenue as they have dropped to silver or Bronze ?
Has it helped or hindered your ladies section ?
And what happens when comps are on - can your bronze and silver members play in all the comps etc ?

 

[mostivoi]

Bronze members cannot play before 12 on a weekend or in weekend comps.Not sure on what you get extra for silver.
We have lost alot of members one due to over 65 not having reduced fees now and some left with subs going up £70. Its still a bargain though if you play twice a week. Last year was a bit of a wasted year, green keeper was released but new guy whos started knows what he's doing. Course looks fantastic. Will be back to being best in area again so hopefully that will bring members back.
Has everyones club lost members? You sometimess get tunnel vision and forget the bigger picture

 

[richart]

Well it appears the poewr of the forum knows no bounds. HID has had a membership enquiry at Sand Martins and in the part "where did you hear about SM" the guy put - Golf Monthly Forum. Not sure which one of you it was but it was a guy called Richard

Damn, i thought my enquiry was confidential.

 

[GB72]

Simple answer, absolutely nothing. We are, if the stories are tobe believed, down 90 members this year and that is nealy 20% of our total membership. Still have joining fees in place. We did runa 15 months for the price of 12 deal for new members but who is going to sign up in the heart of winter with a course covered in snow. SO far no open days, fee options, different memberships nothing. It was lucky that I knew the ourse when I signed up as there was not even an invite to play before handing over the cash. There is no effort at retention or enquiries as to whether members are staying or going, all that you get is your invoice for the year to collect from the clubhouse. Still no roll ups, encouragement to join teams or drawn comps because it suits the long standing members in there own cliques to play in their regular groups. If it were not for the fact that I know a few good mates who play there and the banter is good, I would certainly consider a move. If another club ditched the joining fee then I would still be tempted

All of the courses in my area charge very similar fees and joining fees and I get a feeling that the first one o dro the joining fee or cut the fees a little will end up stealing members from the other.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Well it appears the poewr of the forum knows no bounds. HID has had a membership enquiry at Sand Martins and in the part "where did you hear about SM" the guy put - Golf Monthly Forum. Not sure which one of you it was but it was a guy called Richard

Damn, i thought my enquiry was confidential.

It is only because the owner knows of me being on here and was interested what made you ask about the club.

 

[Golfmmad]

For the first time in 6 years of membership, I'm deliberating as to whether I can justify forking out just over £700 for this years fees. With the economy as it is and the ever increasing fuel costs, and the knock on effect of earnings not as good as they once were makes it a tough call.

I have often wondered though, why can't there be just a weekend membership. I work each weekday and only have weekends to play. Some people can play 2or 3 times in the week, and weekends, for the same cost.

I'm sure a lot of folk who only play Saturdays and Sundays would take up a weekend only membership. Then when circumstances change the membership could be converted to a full one.

What d'ya think?

Golfmmad.

 

[Garesfield ACE]

I have just joined my 2nd golf club...I checked their website out for any offers..and some of them are...1)HALF PRICE membership if your already a member of another club 2)May to October 5 month membership after 3PM everyday except Saturday..cost £150.....superb deal that to me...2 months membership eg April/May £80 May/June £85 june/july £90...all nice little tasters to try and entice new members...looking at several other clubs in the dame area nothing compares/very little being offered

 

[SammmeBee]

For the first time in 6 years of membership, I'm deliberating as to whether I can justify forking out just over £700 for this years fees. With the economy as it is and the ever increasing fuel costs, and the knock on effect of earnings not as good as they once were makes it a tough call.

I have often wondered though, why can't there be just a weekend membership. I work each weekday and only have weekends to play. Some people can play 2or 3 times in the week, and weekends, for the same cost.

I'm sure a lot of folk who only play Saturdays and Sundays would take up a weekend only membership. Then when circumstances change the membership could be converted to a full one.

What d'ya think?

Golfmmad.

Surely your club already has one at just over £700 (less than £15 a week)......with the added bonus you get to play in the week, if you want to, for free?

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
Our club have droped the fees down from €820 to €690 for the year there is a easy pay option €190 up front and €100 for the next 5 months also we have introduced another membership where you can pay €290 for the year and pay a reduced green fee every time you play and the only restriction is you cant win a Major comp. I actually joined another club myself as a country member it is my home club for 170 so i get to play free there when i head home.
Mike

 

[sweatysock41]

For the first time in 6 years of membership, I'm deliberating as to whether I can justify forking out just over £700 for this years fees. With the economy as it is and the ever increasing fuel costs, and the knock on effect of earnings not as good as they once were makes it a tough call.

I have often wondered though, why can't there be just a weekend membership. I work each weekday and only have weekends to play. Some people can play 2or 3 times in the week, and weekends, for the same cost.

I'm sure a lot of folk who only play Saturdays and Sundays would take up a weekend only membership. Then when circumstances change the membership could be converted to a full one.

What d'ya think?

Golfmmad.

Surely your club already has one at just over £700 (less than £15 a week)......with the added bonus you get to play in the week, if you want to, for free?

Ours is £725 plus bar levy which I think is still a bargain price for an 18 hole course that I can use any time. If you were to play municipal courses once a week throughout the year it would probably cost you a grand.

We also have held open days, an introduce a friend scheme plus a 15 for 12 scheme. It is still hard to keep members at present though.

 

[BROOKIE]

I played Wheatley in september of last year,and your right
it is one of the better courses in SY very friendly..

 

[Golfmmad]

For the first time in 6 years of membership, I'm deliberating as to whether I can justify forking out just over £700 for this years fees. With the economy as it is and the ever increasing fuel costs, and the knock on effect of earnings not as good as they once were makes it a tough call.

I have often wondered though, why can't there be just a weekend membership. I work each weekday and only have weekends to play. Some people can play 2or 3 times in the week, and weekends, for the same cost.

I'm sure a lot of folk who only play Saturdays and Sundays would take up a weekend only membership. Then when circumstances change the membership could be converted to a full one.

What d'ya think?

Golfmmad.

Surely your club already has one at just over £700 (less than £15 a week)......with the added bonus you get to play in the week, if you want to, for free?

Ours is £725 plus bar levy which I think is still a bargain price for an 18 hole course that I can use any time. If you were to play municipal courses once a week throughout the year it would probably cost you a grand.

We also have held open days, an introduce a friend scheme plus a 15 for 12 scheme. It is still hard to keep members at present though.

Thanks guys, you're both right of course, I'm just loathe to shell out 700 of my hard earned readies

Golfmmad.

 

[richart]

We have a marketing man join recently, with the prime aim of getting new members. We have open days due when prospective members can play the course and meet some of the commitee, including the mens and ladies captains. We also have free coaching days for prospective new junior members. Anyone in the area who is looking for a club check out the website.

Still running the incentive of £250 on your bar card for introducing a new member. Only paid when they renew the membership in the second year.

In the last year we lost about 40 members, but we are on course to replace them with interest.

The quality of the course and clubhouse, as well as the well known friendliness of the club as a whole helps as well.