Interview Advice Needed

[Up_Point_1]

I've recently been through the whole joining a new club experience and had to go through the pre joining 'interview' also. It's unlikely to be nothing more than an informal chat with the Managing Secretary, probably the current Captain, and possibly also the Club Professional. It's an opportunity for them to meet you face to face, to also introduce themselves, the club, and also to show you around the facilities.
You should be reassured that any club adopting this method for recruiting new members are more than likely able to weed out all the Dickheads before they get onto the course.

DHM.

 

[medwayjon]

Well said DHM, the procedures may be laborious for prosepective new members but they are there for the exact reason mentioned by yourself, to weed out the dickheads of this world.

By seeming like a bit of a closed shop or old boys club it can also deter the idiots from applying for membership as a lot of them probably couldn't be arsed to go through the procedure.

I really like the idea of proposing and seconding, what self-respecting member would invite a complete tool to apply for membership? This is a great part of procedure that must help keep the neanderthals away from the club and protect it's interests.

 

[Parmo]

I was just messing Jon I am happy for you, I wish I could join a decent club near me, I am currently looking at Sand moor but the wife wont let me cough up for it, apparently its selfish!!

I had a problem on Sunday with Jr members of the Muni who think since they have played once that day they are entitled to play as many rounds as they want and because clubs are desperate for young players they get away with it, I even watched as they nearly hit the group behind me and didnt bother with shouting fore and just laughed and sneaked of thee course at the 8th so not to be spotted from the club house.

By seeming like a bit of a closed shop or old boys club it can also deter the idiots from applying for membership as a lot of them probably couldn't be arsed to go through the procedure.

But what about the people who are put off due to it? surely that is a fair amount of the market as well, I suppose that's why there are more and more clubs turning into a pub and a course rather than a select society, some people want to play as a past time and sport for enjoyment and some clubs are run rather than a career advance (I am talking the top end of the market).

 

[medwayjon]

Justify it to the mrs like this parmo.

"if I play 4 times a month the green-fees will be £80 (for example) whereas I could belong to a club and play as much as I like for only £50 a month. See we are saving money by me joining a club dear"

A cunning plan (as Baldrick would say)

He he he he he medal (as Mutley would say)

 

[USER1999]

Parmo - I thought you played at 5.00 in the morning, with just the rabbits for company. No wonder you never see any bad behaviour from other golfers - there aren't any about at that time.

Mind you, those rabbits can be pretty naughty, crapping on the greens and suich.

 

[Parmo]

Lol I would and have tried, she knows the score and I need more experience and to get my handicap down so the muni is fine for the next couple of years.

 

[Parmo]

Parmo - I thought you played at 5.00 in the morning, with just the rabbits for company. No wonder you never see any bad behaviour from other golfers - there aren't any about at that time.

Mind you, those rabbits can be pretty naughty, crapping on the greens and suich.

lol this is true, I do play early. I played at 1545 on Sunday with my stepson and I couldnt beleive the state of the green around the holes, totally wrecked by players, I explained to my stepson that its best just to give each other shots from 3 feet in if its just for fun.

Them rabbits have had their wicked way on our mats!!

 

[billyg]

All good points Medwayjon but i'm not sure how an interview can determine how a prospective member would act on the course. I have seen many members of my club not replcaing divots, not repairing pitchmarks, throwing clubs etc and i'm sure they would 'come across' very well at interview.

by making you play a round with one of the committee or directors.

MWJ - remember, the more hoops they make you jump through, the more chances that the undesirables in the game will catch their foot on one, stuble and fall.

When I was doing my research it became abundantly clear that there are many strategies that clubs employ in order to weed out the wheat from the chaff.

Interviews-already mentioned... in additon to:

Handicap requirements

Dress codes

High fees

Course marshalls

booking systems that favour members

restrictions on pay and play times

restriction / refusal of voucher schemes.

When I was weighing up potential clubs I even went as far as rating clubs on a sliding point scheme for each of these variables and awarded points according to their policy on each.( you must decide yourselves how to weight each )

No one wants to lay out large amounts of money to have their peace and quiet ruined by ill tempered, jumped up thugs that have no vested interest in the wellbeing of the club.

As far as questions go there are many but the top two for me would be;
1) Are there any restrictions during certain times of the week and if so why?(eg- are you going to be allowed to muscle your way in to a game on Saturday morning when all the old f@rts like to use the course for a private swindle at that time?)

2) how soon will you be permitted to join in competitions? some clubs like to sound you out for a long period of time before letting you join the 'Royal Arch' to borrow a masonic term.

I can't see you having any problems getting in John. You sound a decent chap who knows 'the score'and at the end of the day that's all that really matters isn't it?

 

[clubchamp07]

Thanks Viscount,

I wont even answer that

 

[clubchamp07]

duck hook it's the Dickheads that do the interview's.

 

[Leftie]

Talk about jumping through hoops.

When I applied for membership of my present club I was required to have a Proposer, Seconder and two "Sponsers" (not financial!) each of whom had to have been members for at least 5 years and all had to write a brief letter about me. If I was accepted and during the first year embarrased myself to such an extent that I might have been asked to leave, then the committee reserved the right to censure these guys in some way. And all that before I was granted an interview.

The interview was in front of the secretary, present and past captains, treasurer and members of various committees. A daunting prospect but essentially told them what they wanted to hear - yes, I've played the courses several times with specific members (proved that I already knew several members all of whom were willing to invite me to play, 2 superb courses in great condition (pleased the Chairman of Greens), comfortable clubhouse with good facilities etc (pleased the House Chairman), I could be flexible with work committments so would like the opportunity to play in inter club matches if selected (a slight bending of the truth but pleased the Captain) etc.

One slightly funny thing was that my proposer probably knew less about me than the other three. I had played in the same society as him for a few years and collared him to propose me on one of those days. As he knew that he would be called into the interview before me, rather than try to memorise facts about me and bluff his way through, he told them that all he knew about me was from playing golf with me and socialising after games, and effectively that was most how most people in the club would know me.

They were positively beaming at the end and couldn't wait to take my money.

Think up answers to questions that you may be asked eg dress code on course and in clubhouse, etiquette, etc. Suggest reading up as much info on the club as you can. It all helps.

Moral of this rambling is be yourself and tell them what they want to hear. Same as most types of interview I suppose.

Best of luck MWJ and GB72.

 

[Up_Point_1]

duck hook it's the Dickheads that do the interview's.

That may be your experience of this process, but certainly not mine.

DHM.

 

[John_Findlay]

GB72,

Haven't ever needed to attend such a thing but if I were in your shoes I'd just re-read the rules, particularly etiquette, just in case you get some Nazi on the interview board.

Otherwise, my only advice would be to just be yourself and enthusiastic about the game and their club.

 

[Basher]

however if you're playing handicap is higher than 20 despite being angelic you should expect a polite refusal.

Not necessarily true birdieman.
I joined my club as a beginner, ie no handicap. I attended the interview smartly dressed to create a good impression. I was polite and answered all the questions I was asked truthfully. I was myself and showed genuine enthusiasm for the game, the club and quite importantly etiquette. I also expressed an interest in the social side of the club.

The interview went well and I was welcomed to the club at the interview.

 

[Atticus_Finch]

however if you're playing handicap is higher than 20 despite being angelic you should expect a polite refusal.

It's at this point you get up and hit them with the immortal Groucho Marx quote "I wouldn't want to join a club that would have me as a member anyway!!" and storm out the room.

 

[GB72]

Thanks for all your advice, was accepted as a member this morning following interview.

 

[1kenwhiteway]

show some enthusiasm for the social side.
willingness to support club.
best of luck
Ken

 

[HomerJSimpson]

GB72

Congrats for getting in - hope it works out for you

 

[billyg]

Thanks for all your advice, was accepted as a member this morning following interview.

 

[medwayjon]

Congrats on getting in, hopefully I will be bringing good news soon.

Enjoy the new club!