Ideas needed for Newbies struggling 2 get handicap

[vkurup]

I was at our club's new member induction dinner. The new members get to meet the captains, some members and go around 9 holes to finish with a supper & some wine.

Talking to the newbies, their primary gripe is how difficult it is get their handicap cards. Like most clubs, at our club, you have to submit 3 cards marked by someone with a HC. You can play in S/F to get your HC, but cant play in medals. Since we have a monthly S/F, it means someone will have to wait 3 months before they can get a card. This is a bit more difficult for newbies who dont know any members or who cant turn up for the mid-week roll ups due to work commitments.

One of my suggestions to our new member coordinator was to have a designated slot say Sat and/or Sunday 3pm, where newbies can turn up and we get one of the members to play with them. That way, rather than each newbie fending for themselves, you can get one member to mark 3 cards in one go... The faster we can get the newbies into the monthly medals, the better.

Alternatively, have a 'buddy' system (we have this at work). Pair people up, so that newbies have someone for the first month or so. They can arrange games and get their cards done within a month (rather than 3).

While our committee thinks about it, I am keen to hear how other clubs are managing this. Thoughts?

 

[ger147]

Why can they not just play in the medals to get their 3 cards signed?

I recently got my first ever handicap and while a friend of mine who is also a member signed 2 of my cards, I got my third card and therefore my handicap by playing in a medal.

 

[fundy]

The comp organisers ensure after any weekend comp there is an opportunity for any who need to put cards in to go out in the first group after the comp with someone who will sign the card. In addition there is a book in the lobby where people can request help plus the shop will help out where they can (they know for eg that if Im about ill happily sign a card)

 

[virtuocity]

The fact that you have a new member induction dinner, never mind a New Member Co-ordinator is very encouraging. We don't have this.

I struggled to get my cards handed in until I spoke with one of the managers. He then printed off a list of people's names and mobile numbers and stuck them on the noticeboard. I sent off 100 texts and had 15 responses from members in a similar position and now I'm never stuck for a game.

When our AGM comes around I will be suggesting that a New Member Committee be established. They will cover daytimes, evenings and weekends and will be informed when a new member joins.

Their role will be to contact the new members and arrange a time for a game (if they are willing). This will act to:

a) give the new member a nice welcome
b) provide local knowledge of the course
c) get handicap quicker
d) introduce the new member to others around the club
e) ensure they know the basic rules, etiquette and know how to repair pitchmarks / divots etc

 

[vkurup]

Why can they not just play in the medals to get their 3 cards signed?

I recently got my first ever handicap and while a friend of mine who is also a member signed 2 of my cards, I got my third card and therefore my handicap by playing in a medal.

It is an interesting question.. I asked our Cap about it. He mentioned that a few years ago, this had come up (but no one seems to remember the reason anymore). I think the explanation was that Medals can be a bit slow, so if you add new people looking for H/C then it will slow it down further. I can understand that, but I think there can be a bit of a leeway for e.g. If you have submitted 2 cards and you are under 100 in both, then you can use the medals to get a card - because you wont slow things down.

 

[fundy]

It is an interesting question.. I asked our Cap about it. He mentioned that a few years ago, this had come up (but no one seems to remember the reason anymore). I think the explanation was that Medals can be a bit slow, so if you add new people looking for H/C then it will slow it down further. I can understand that, but I think there can be a bit of a leeway for e.g. If you have submitted 2 cards and you are under 100 in both, then you can use the medals to get a card - because you wont slow things down.

so theyre going to slow down already slow medals but wont slow down stablefords - sounds like an excuse for no reason to me. and if they do believe it to be true, just change the rule to them not being able to play in the early groups

 

[ger147]

It's all sounds rather unfair to me as they have paid the same money but don't have the same playing rights.

 

[gryffindor]

We have a Qualifying roll up every Friday evening through the summer - 9 holes only - seems to be quite popular.

 

[vkurup]

so theyre going to slow down already slow medals but wont slow down stablefords - sounds like an excuse for no reason to me. and if they do believe it to be true, just change the rule to them not being able to play in the early groups

S/F are a bit quicker because the other members have to pick up rather than putt out. While new members in S/F still have to putt out and cant pick up. In medals everyone has to putt out, so yes, in that sense it will be slower overall compared to s/f

We have a Qualifying roll up every Friday evening through the summer - 9 holes only - seems to be quite popular.

How does this work? Do they just double the score?

 

[gryffindor]

I think it is slightly more complicated than that but in essence, yes.

 

[BTatHome]

Sounds like there more of a membership issue, if you have all these procedures and people in place then it should be very simple to find members to play with. I did a couple of cards for a new member recently. Met him on the first and did a card that day, then arranged for a Sunday knock to do another too. Good bloke and now another member to our group of roll up guys.

 

[Foxholer]

I struggled to get my cards handed in until I spoke with one of the managers. He then printed off a list of people's names and mobile numbers and stuck them on the noticeboard.

I hope he had their permission - otherwise he was breaking the (Data Protection Act) law.

Good idea if it can be done though.

Pro shop is often able to join new members up with folk who can mark their card for handicap also.

 

[guest100718]

Seems odd that they cant play in the medal.

 

[BTatHome]

S/F are a bit quicker because the other members have to pick up rather than putt out. While new members in S/F still have to putt out and cant pick up.

Makes no sense, as anything over a double is going to be rounded down anyway.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

It is an interesting question.. I asked our Cap about it. He mentioned that a few years ago, this had come up (but no one seems to remember the reason anymore). I think the explanation was that Medals can be a bit slow, so if you add new people looking for H/C then it will slow it down further. I can understand that, but I think there can be a bit of a leeway for e.g. If you have submitted 2 cards and you are under 100 in both, then you can use the medals to get a card - because you wont slow things down.

Comps are slow at Hoebridge because it's a public course and they let the public go out before the comps. When I was there the public tee times were quite often double booked with the comp tee times. The public groups were also often late and we had to wait. They also for some strange reason allowed people to book tee times while it was still dark so you ended up 20 minutes late before anyone had actually tee'd off. It is nothing to do with new members playing for h'cap. Also, having a valid h'cap doesn't make you quick!!!

I guess this is a disadvantage playing at a public course as finding members to sign your card isn't the easiest thing to do. At least you are actively looking to resolve the issue.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Sounds like there more of a membership issue, if you have all these procedures and people in place then it should be very simple to find members to play with. I did a couple of cards for a new member recently. Met him on the first and did a card that day, then arranged for a Sunday knock to do another too. Good bloke and now another member to our group of roll up guys.

It's a public course, it isn't as easy as turning up and asking someone if they mind singing your card as 90% of the players aren't members.

 

[vkurup]

Makes no sense, as anything over a double is going to be rounded down anyway.

Agree with that bit. Will raise this.

It's a public course, it isn't as easy as turning up and asking someone if they mind singing your card as 90% of the players aren't members.

Yup, we can get busy. I have also heard rumours that we are trying to restrict people - but I doubt it. It is a very popular course. Also generally it is in good shape and never shuts down expect when it is snowed under.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Yup, we can get busy. I have also heard rumours that we are trying to restrict people - but I doubt it. It is a very popular course. Also generally it is in good shape and never shuts down expect when it is snowed under.

I really like the course, it's just a shame it is so busy

 

[pbrown7582]

We have the new members night and its a great success, was there lots of pens and paper around for everyone to exchange numbers?
On our website there is a section where you post a message stating when you can play and looking for a game.
Plus the BRS booking system allows you to see when people are booked in to play and you can add your name to theres, failing that a good pro shop will be able to point new members in the right direction.
Do find it strange that they can play on stableford days in comp times and not medals, is it really any quicker these days playing stableford when people still insist finishing hole for a 9 nett 8, nil points.......

 

[SGC001]

At my old place they had a list of members willing to mark handicap cards with their details on it. This meant the new member was aware they were willing to mark cards (so didn't feel so awkward) and contact was relatively easy.

They don't do it atm and it's awkward as some feel they are imposing by asking and don't know what times people can play.

Edit: Even with data protection it's easy enough to navigate as you have the list of members willing to mark the cards and go on the list and provide the list to new members on joining.