Joining a club on your own

[rich90]

I'm thinking about joining a club local to me, convenience being the main attraction.

I have friends who play golf but are either members elsewhere or don't play enough to justify the fee. So it looks like I will be joining by myself.

I understand that it depends on the club but if you joined a club by yourself how welcome did the club's fellow members make you feel? I know a few people who play there but not well enough to consider them friends.

Basically just a bit apprehensive about rocking up on my own and a couple of months down the line wishing I'd made the choice of going elsewhere with people I know.

Have you ever or currently at a club you joined by yourself? And how has it been?

 

[Region3]

I joined my current club on my own. I'm not the 'coming forward' type but the pro got me a game with a member to mark my card(s) for my handicap, then I just stuck my name up for comps and got to meet people that way.

I'd imagine it would be a lot harder if comps weren't drawn and you had to find a group to play with.

There's not really any cliques that I've noticed and by and large the members are very friendly and I get on well with lots of them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My club tends to have a new members get together every quarter and it allows those that have joined to meet int he clubhouse, be introduced to the captain and few of the committee and make sure they are settling in ok. Its a good chance to meet fellow newbies, swap numbers and if you are struggling to get a game speak to someone that can tell you when the roll ups meet and go out and help fix you up

 

[GB72]

DO IT.

I spent the last year or so at my old club considering leaving and the only thing that kept me there was nerves about finding playing partners if a joined a new club on my own. I went up there once to a new members event and picked up a few numbers and was invited to take part in a comp the following week. Played with 3 blokes then who invited me to play this weekend and in their group in comps. Add to that the fact that you have to sign up for comps and there is always a few 2 balls to sign up with and it is not that hard to get started in integrating yourself. That is all without having a chat with people in the bar etc. If the club is in any way friendly and is even slightly considerate about its new members then it is not that hard.

 

[Chris1980]

Do it! I joined with a friend who left within a year and i met plenty of golfing buddies through getting put into comps and hats by the pro! Great way of meeting new friends! U'll look back in a few months wondering why u were concerned! Good luck!

 

[swanny32]

I joined my club with a friend but due to his weekend work commitments I ended up playing in competitions on my own so it was pretty much like joining the club on my own. I have made a fair few friends now, everyone was really welcoming on a Sunday morning when I turned up on my todd. Join up, get your name down in the comps and meet some people, I think you'll be surprised how nice people can be.

 

[Ian_S]

I'm in the same boat. Can't decide whether to go for it or not for very much the same reasons. I suppose the logical way of looking at it is that you're not joining a club of monsters. You know that they're all golfers so you've that in common if nothing else

 

[rockhopper]

I am presently in exactly the same boat, moved to Bournemouth fron Notts where I used to have a regular four ball as well as roll ups, just looking at joining a club now as I've stupidly not played for a couple of years due to not knowing anyone but really missing playing and the banter.

Just trying to decide between two clubs, one is 60 yards from my door and the other is only a ten minute drive, don't think either have new members meets but I did see on the notice board of one a list of players with phone numbers to help new players get cards marked for handicaps, hate the thought of plaing on my lonesome, just not the same !

 

[pbrown7582]

I joined my current club on my own. I'm not the 'coming forward' type but the pro got me a game with a member to mark my card(s) for my handicap, then I just stuck my name up for comps and got to meet people that way.
I'd imagine it would be a lot harder if comps weren't drawn and you had to find a group to play with.
There's not really any cliques that I've noticed and by and large the members are very friendly and I get on well with lots of them.

Sounds similar to me although we had a new members night where I got a few numbers and games arranged for cards to be signed.
Go for it and enjoy!

 

[DavidO]

I am presently in exactly the same boat, moved to Bournemouth fron Notts where I used to have a regular four ball as well as roll ups, just looking at joining a club now as I've stupidly not played for a couple of years due to not knowing anyone but really missing playing and the banter.

Just trying to decide between two clubs, one is 60 yards from my door and the other is only a ten minute drive, don't think either have new members meets but I did see on the notice board of one a list of players with phone numbers to help new players get cards marked for handicaps, hate the thought of plaing on my lonesome, just not the same !

I used to live in Poole/work in Bournemouth. What clubs are you thinking about?

 

[rockhopper]

I used to live in Poole/work in Bournemouth. What clubs are you thinking about?

Hi David, see your at the other end of the country now, I live next to Knighton Heath so that is one and the other is Canford Magna, any experience of these two ?

 

[GB72]

I really think that this would make an excellent article for GM that could be of use to clubs and golfers alike. You could print the best ideas being applied by clubs to integrate new members and make them feel welcome and part of the crowd and what new members can do to ensure that they do not feel left out when joining and also kill off some of the fears about signing up for a club solo.

New members are only of benefit to the club if they stay and feel welcome and this could help everybody.

 

[rockhopper]

Can't really understand why clubs in this day and age don't have a forum, even a basic one where you can post up when your available and when your looking for a game, make things a lot easier for new members to find games and 3 balls looking for another player to make up a fourball etc.

 

[rich90]

Great responses, thanks guys.

It's not that I'm shy or anything like that I guess it's just a fear of the unknown, hence the creation of this thread.

I'm going to ring the club tomorrow and see what they offer new members in terms of integration.

 

[Hobbit]

Definitely go for it!!

I've done it 4 times now as I've moved around the country with work. Never had a problem. And have some great friends throughout the UK who I can phone up for a game when I'm out and about.

A cheeky tip. If you know when the popular times are get in early when the start sheet comes out and get your name down. You'll be guaranteed someone will stick their name next to your's.

 

[DavidO]

Hi David, see your at the other end of the country now, I live next to Knighton Heath so that is one and the other is Canford Magna, any experience of these two ?

Typical... never played either of those 2!!

Courses I played (and enjoyed most) down there were, Bulberry Woods, Ferndown Forest, West Moors...

 

[garyinderry]

many a bromance has started by rocking up to the 1st tee on your own.

 

[DavidO]

As for the OP.

I joined my club last year on my own. I've made the effort to take part in Texas Scrambles etc, so have got to know a fair amount of folk so far.

Definately do it!!!

 

[GB72]

Can't really understand why clubs in this day and age don't have a forum, even a basic one where you can post up when your available and when your looking for a game, make things a lot easier for new members to find games and 3 balls looking for another player to make up a fourball etc.

This is where social media could come in. The club has a facebook page and members just post on the wall that they are looking for a game on what ever day and what ever time and others can then reply and set up groups. Twitter could be used in a similar way, everyone follows the club and where possible the club re-tweets requests for games.

 

[Garush34]

the last two years i have joined clubs without knowing anyone. last year i never met anyone for a game and so far this year it has been the same. but for me i dont mind playing by myself as it gives me time to practice. also i work most weekends so never have time for comps so a handicap has never been really important for me. it can be intimadating going to a new club and not knowing anyone but im sure if you play comps or just ask people for a game then you'll soon find people to play with regulary.