Interview at new club

[USER1999]

It is all about trying to keep that crucial age band of 25 to 35. If clubs lose these players, then that could be 30 odd years of income gone. At these ages, people get married, have kids, get mortgages, money is tight (oddly, as you get older and more experienced, you tend to earn more), and golf becomes squeezed. Clubs offer discounted memberships to age brackets ike these to try to keep these guys as members through their tough financial times so they can nab them for life. I don't see why you think this is old fogeyism. It is an investment.

 

[Imurg]

I guess its just the assumption that once you hit 35 you've got money to burn. Might happen to some but when I hit 35 I got made redundant and had to retrain. I'm now earning substantially less than I was 10 years ago. So tough financial times have come to me since 35. If I was 35 I would be pretty racked off if I had to pay more than someone else who could be no more than a few days younger than me.

Juniors in full-time education should have discounted fees. Retired Seniors too. That's fair enough. But inbetween there is (or should be)equality in the club. Do the under 35's have the same voting right or same playing rights as the over 35's?

I don't recall seeing entrance fees to Football or Train tickets etc being cheaper if you're 25-34.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Cracking deal that Stuart,you will do well getting something similar at Blundells

I know its a good deal at Lee Park but if blundells is a better set up then i would have no problems paying more. The Joining Fee at blundells is near to £1500 but it may be negotiable then £900ish subs.

 

[USER1999]

May be footy and trains aren't struggling to keep this age group, but golf clubs are. Obviously your circumstances buck the trend, but that is what they are tryingto achieve.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I would of thought that the price brackets would be voted for or against by the members as they own the club. or am i being thick?

 

[TonyN]

To be honest I just think that the guys moaning about it are being a tad selfish about it. I dont mean to upset anyone here but seriously guys if you qualified for the lower subs, would you say, ''hold on a minute secretary, can you withdraw my application am looking elsewhere for a club I have to pay full price at'' I doubt you would.

 

[Imurg]

The point is, Tony, that the inequality shouldn't be there in the first place as far as I'm concerned. Sure, if I was in the lower bracket I wouldn't complain - nobody would - but once I reached the higher bracket I'd be racked off.

Why should I have to pay more (£165 in the example) for exactly the same "product" than someone (potentially) 2 days younger than me as I've reached the age whereby allegedly I have more disposable income?


I understand the point that the difference is to try to keep the younger players at the club and even to attract them but it can't possibly be fair on those "Inbetweenies".

 

[USER1999]

Since when was life fair?

Heck, I am 43, so well past these discounts, but on the other hand, I have time to play more rounds, due to less familly comittments, so, may be I get better value for money than someone paying less and playing less. If anything, the retired oldies, who pay less subs, and play 7 times a week are onto the best deal, but who cares, when I qualify, I hope it is still going.

If those are the rules, some are lucky, some aren't, that is life. I can't get too worked up about it.

 

[Doh]

My Club do this in order to attracted the younger element into the club. You can not go on about dwindling membership and do nothing about it. Nobody moans about it, ask any member's of our club would they rather have this or pay a levy on their subs each year.

Lots of our past Junior members have benefited from this system and are still at the club as a result many year later.

 

[andiritchie]

I think its a great idea sadly its not happening around where i live.

Iam 25 trying to get a house so all our savings have to go into a large deposit now which is a bugger as it was for furiture etc,i cut down on turns outs,range time and now ended my membership.

As we both play but dont come under Husband and Wife its some serious money so it had to go,trying to find somewhere else to get a good deal

As Murph said if golf clubs keep memebers like me and my girlfriend they will have years of revenue sadly no clubs in my area are seeing my point at the present

 

[HartleyHare]

I wouldn't say it's selfish.
I know plenty of people younger than me in a better financial position than i am, and most of them have got where they are from being students, you can't have your cake and eat it (apart from this case it seems).

You can't say because you're this age you will have this much spare cash.

 

[clubchamp07]

At my club we have the junior/student age group. then we have full members,21 - 65 reguardless of employment. We also have 5 day members, (with no voting rights). Then the OAP's rate. I have never heard of the 21 - 34 age group, seems strange to me and totaly unfair, imo. Yes of course we have the lady's rate, (no voting right as yet but give it time)