Ideas needed for Newbies struggling 2 get handicap

[stevie_r]

Quite easy at my place; 2 cards can be from bounce games obviously signed by a member with a current HCP, one card from a competitive round; each month during the season you would have the following opportunities:

Monthly medal
Monthly mid-week medal
Monthly Stableford
Monthly mid-week Stableford
Monthly mid-week yellow tee stroke

There is no entry sheet for mid week comps - just turn up at the allotted time.

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

I won't copy and paste some posts that I've kept from HDID ...

This person will remain nameless but he openly admtted that at his old club they (not only him) just filled out cards and you could get the handicap that you wanted. You'll guess that it blue up on the thread when he was advising a new guy to do it on the quiet!

Your ideas on this matter are the way that it should be and there's some great suggestions, good for you guys :thup:

 

[virtuocity]

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

He didn't have their permission but funnily enough there wasn't a queue of pedantic bores outside the next day to complain.

 

[vkurup]

He didn't have their permission but funnily enough there wasn't a queue of pedantic bores outside the next day to complain.

I guess it depends on how private the club is. If you do that at a public course, then be ready to get calls from PPI, double glazing, handicap slashing salesmen..

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I guess it depends on how private the club is. If you do that at a public course, then be ready to get calls from PPI, double glazing, handicap slashing salesmen..

Those handicap slashing salesmen are good, sucked me right in the other week

 

[virtuocity]

I guess it depends on how private the club is. If you do that at a public course, then be ready to get calls from PPI, double glazing, handicap slashing salesmen..

Eh? It's a list of names and numbers, put on a member's noticeboard (in a private area) which can be used by members to contact other members for a game.

How the hell did PPI come into it?

 

[Fader]

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

Never heard of a New Member committee in my life, but what a bloody good idea that is.

Even though I came from another club to my one i'm at now this sort of thing would've been ideal to introduce me to current members and make me aware of local rulings etc. Instead I had to just roll up find games etc which I don't mind as I'm not shy but still think this would be good.

 

[vkurup]

Never heard of a New Member committee in my life, but what a bloody good idea that is.

Even though I came from another club to my one i'm at now this sort of thing would've been ideal to introduce me to current members and make me aware of local rulings etc. Instead I had to just roll up find games etc which I don't mind as I'm not shy but still think this would be good.

Having one and it being effective may be two different issues. Again, most office bearers are volunteering, so it is not fair to expect things to be well oiled.

Our new member coordinator does a decent job, and the new members evening is a good idea. I think every club will find it useful to have one. Though it still does not take away all the pain of getting games organised for newbies (as is evident from this thread). I sent a mail to our Cap with some of these ideas, will repost it here later.

 

[Garush34]

I struggled to get a game with anyone for my handicap. Luckily my club is OK with me going out with anyone to sign my card for a handicap.

So when i got the cards in and waited over a week for them to tell me that the decision was made a couple years ago that everyone starting out with a new handicap automatically gets a handicap of 18, and if you can play to it great and if not then it will work its self out over time.

Why this wasn't said when i started out i dunno and i suppose it makes sense but i don't see the issue with putting the cards in the system and getting your handicap based on those scores.

I'd have rather met up with new people to get my handicap so that i new some people at my club to get a game with and what not, but they just don't have a system in place for that.

For me the easiest thing seems to be having a Saturday or Sunday roll up at say 10 in the morning and anyone that turns up can get a game and a card signed. firstly that gets people their handicaps as well as meeting new people and therefore getting a greater club community.

 

[virtuocity]

Never heard of a New Member committee in my life, but what a bloody good idea that is.

Even though I came from another club to my one i'm at now this sort of thing would've been ideal to introduce me to current members and make me aware of local rulings etc. Instead I had to just roll up find games etc which I don't mind as I'm not shy but still think this would be good.

I came up with the idea after struggling to find a game (I was a new member in April) but also because I was getting annoyed at the state of the greens (pitchmarks incorrectly repaired) and tee boxes littered with tees.

A New Members committee would be able to help as well as educate those who need it.

Doesn't need to be a hard job either.....

1. New member signs up. Gets told to expect a call from a committee member to welcome him/her
2. Committee member phones up and says "Hi, I got a message that you joined the club. Are you looking for a game sometime? Well, here's my number- give me a call, or join me on Monday / Thursday / Saturday for a bounce game / medal so we can get your cards handed in for a handicap.
3. Committee member plays a round of golf with new member.

This should happen at EVERY club, but doesn't.

 

[BoadieBroadus]

i had a terrible time getting a handicap when i joined my club. couldn't be a 7 day member without a handicap<22. couldn't play in any comps without a handicap. took me almost 2 years before i could play at weekends. pro wasn't much help either.

was on the verge of leaving before my teaching pro signed 3 cards for me at a public course with a congu society attached.

now whenever i meet a member without a handicap i do what i can to have a round where i can sign their cards for them.

i think its still better that they aren't marked in comps. i'm not sure how enthused i'd be about marking up a 125 during the course of our june medal eg.

 

[Wolfman]

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?

I am glad you have noticed this, I had the same at my old club in the end I left as it was impossible to fit in with the retired we all have handicap brigade and you are a newbie and not welcome attitude

I made suggestions to the club to introduce a buddy system, they didn't bother in the end I just left and found a friendly club that allowed newcomers to be made welcome with or without hcp

They also run swindles each weekend where all can play regardless of official hcp or not

 

[lyden]

I was struggling at my place to get my cards in although there was a new members welcome meeting and our secretary passed my number on to the vice captain to organise to get 3 cards signed. Problem was he nor anyone actually called me, then I realised I just needed to man up and just ask a few people. Everyone was welcoming and I was half decent which helped.

 

[rosecott]

the decision was made a couple years ago that everyone starting out with a new handicap automatically gets a handicap of 18

Just wondered if there is anyone on the forum from the SGU who would be interested in your club's illegal rules for the award of handicaps.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Our club is very good at integrating new members. Plenty of roll up groups that welcome newbies and most will make the effort to mark a card if asked.

 

[Garush34]

Just wondered if there is anyone on the forum from the SGU who would be interested in your club's illegal rules for the award of handicaps.

Yeah well it wasnt my choice to go with it, i thought it rather strange tbh. If they are just gona hand out 18 then what was the point in me putting in the 3 cards i just wasted a few weeks arranging games to get the cards signed.

 

[Five&One]

To be perfectly honest, my club hasn't been very proactive at integration of new members. Reading this thread and going through the new member process myself recently has certainly opened my eyes to what could have been made available at no cost. New members roll ups, meetings and a buddy system are just a few of several good ideas. A new member notice board where you can put your availability to play. Simple yet non existent. It should be an essential part of affiliation IMHO.

Haven't been there long enough yet but I'm actually going to see if something can't be put in place for new members at our place from next season. I'll even volunteer to do it myself. Wonder how many guys stay a year and don't renew for this very reason.