Interview to join a golf club. One question.......

[JustOne]

Why?

What is the deal with having to take an interview to join a golf club? Is there something wrong with simply paying your money and playing golf?

 

[RGDave]

I've only interviewed for one club (out of a few) and for this club I think an interview was 100% the right thing to do.

If a private members club has a long waiting list and lots of generous members who often dig into their pockets for the good of the course/buildings, I'd not want to upset anyone by letting in any old person (even if there's only a 1% chance of choosing a bad apple).

I think in the case of this club....the interview was a way of always selecting a certain "type" of new member, mostly experienced players and those with a record of representing previous clubs.

I expected to get black-balled, but didn't. Surprisingly, about a month in, I scored 45 points in a comp and got on the team

 

[Fyldewhite]

These days with clubs crying out for new members most only operate the interview process as a "safety net" and to explain how the club works, what's expected of members, how to get a handicap etc. Apart from the most exclusive not many have a waiting list so it isn't a competition like a job interview. At our club we call it an "induction meeting" and usually have several new members in together along with their proposers.
There has to be some process otherwise committees will leave themselves open to all sorts of critisism should a load of idiots be let in. Even if they paid the money existing members do have the right to a voice.

 

[USER1999]

It is a simple check to see if they think you will fit in. View it more as an introduction, rather than an interview you have to pass. Obviously it is a chance to weed out the overly sexist, racist, foul mouthed bigots who aren't wanted in any golf club. You can't tell that from an entry form.

 

[Doh]

Surly an interview is a two way process there is lots of information i would want to know where better to ask all your questions.

 

[muttleee]

I'd not want to upset anyone by letting in any old person

So what have you got against old people??

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I believe the interview procedure at our club is as others have described a chance for the captain/vice captain to meet and give a final assessment of any potential members to ensure they will fit in. I agree the days of being able to vet new members more stringently are long gone and RA like others needs fresh members to balance the books. That said I'd hate to see the club ditch its principles and allow anyone to join and let its hard earned reputation get sallied by a few idiots.

 

[JustOne]

I'd rather see something where you have to turn up in your golf gear and play a few holes with the pro/asst pro, maybe chat about golf on the way round blah, blah so they can assess you attitude, your play and the way you treat the course rather than sit in a suit and explain why you want to be a member at the club you are applying for.... as if you would apply for a course you didn't want to join.

I just don't get the suit part.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I don't mind being vetted/interviewed as ive got nothing to hide but i agree with justoneuk why the god damn suit ?

I hate wearing a suit and being a scouser i feel "Guilty" wearing one

I'd much prefer the smart golf attire sitting in the spike bar having a pint and a chat

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My club is running some open days to try and attract new members. They get a chance to go out and play nine holes usually in the company of the captain/vice and a few committee members. I think the interview is still required but I guess thats more about signing the forms and getting the money sorted.

 

[backwoodsman]

I hate wearing a suit and being a scouser i feel "Guilty" wearing one

Being a scouser, you are guilty! Just not sure of what?

But seriously. I've recently gone through the process (and didn't have to wear a suit. Just had to look smart). For the most part, I think the answer lies in three words. "Private", "members" and "club".

"Club" implies a group of like minded people with similar interests. "Member" implies being one of many and "private" implies not public and not available to all and sundry. Hence, an interview as a vetting process to get in seems perfectly reasonable to see if you are likely to fit in with the other existing members.

In my case it was a fairly casual chat to see why I was interested in joining that particular club ( after all, you don't need to be a member of a club in order to "pay your money and play golf"), a chance for them to tell me about the club and future developments, and a chance for me to ask questions. Also a chat in the bar beforehand (and afterwards) with a few members who happened to be around. All in all, the whole experience helped convince me it was a "club" I wanted to join

 

[CrapHacker]

Look, if you want to join a posh club, you gotta act posh.

So get yourself down to Primark, invest in one of their £29.99 specials, polish up the monicle, and go and network, old boy.

Even thinking that a pro should have any input about who is suitable for a golf club. What a quaint idea.

Basically, go there. Think of all the things you'd like to say.

And then don't say them - say something nice instead.



GL

 

[Earl]

If you are not happy about the selection process i would imagine it is not the club for you.

 

[JustOne]

If you are not happy about the selection process i would imagine it is not the club for you.

I'm guessing you are never happy with supermarket queues, so you'll never go shopping again? Best of luck with that

 

[birdieman]

We don't tend to have interviews up here in rural Scotland, golf is for everyone. I expect posh clubs around Glasgow and Edinburgh do though.

However it is normal that you need 2 members to sponsor your application to join which then is posted on the noticeboard for 2 weeks so other members can voice concerns (which never happens).

 

[CrapHacker]

If you are not happy about the selection process i would imagine it is not the club for you.

I'm guessing you are never happy with supermarket queues, so you'll never go shopping again? Best of luck with that

I get mine delivered, old boy.

Maybe this golf mallarky isn't for you.

Talking to pros ? Doing your own shopping ?

It's getting rather borderline.

Now if you try telling me you haven't got a Phillipino maid and a chap that 'does', then I'm rather afraid it'll be the black ball, my man.

Still, the bowls club down the road will take any old riff raff.