Joining a club on your own

[rockhopper]

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

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

Played Bulbury when I first moved down here a couple of years ago, with a society, only played a couple of times since, used to play off 9 but my swings all over the place at the moment, feels like I've never played...nightmare !

 

[Slicer30]

I moved out to Aylesbury from London and didn't know 1 person in the town. Joined the club and within 3-4 rounds had a few numbers of people who play on there own or were in a similar boat.

Been playing with the same eejits every saturday for 2 years now!

 

[DavidO]

Played Bulbury when I first moved down here a couple of years ago, with a society, only played a couple of times since, used to play off 9 but my swings all over the place at the moment, feels like I've never played...nightmare !

I know how you feel...

 

[bigslice]

lol lol just do it, ive a meeting with a golf secretary the tomoro morn about my application to join!!!! two members are on here. although one doesnt know i trying to join. go for it i bet there will be someone there who knows you in a roundabout way

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I joined my course on my own and I've made some really good mates and met loads of sound fellas that I can join up for a knock. A couple of my mates have joined now aswell which is good.

It all depends on what type of members are at the club though but if there anything like our lot you'll be sound.

Get your face seen and try to mix with as many as possible and you won't go far wrong.

Whereabouts are you looking to join??

 

[garyinderry]

i cant get rid of a few people :rofl:

 

[rockhopper]

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.

Facebook would be a great Idea, don't know if many clubs use social media but the clubs I've looked at locally don't appear to.

 

[rich90]

I joined my course on my own and I've made some really good mates and met loads of sound fellas that I can join up for a knock. A couple of my mates have joined now aswell which is good.

It all depends on what type of members are at the club though but if there anything like our lot you'll be sound.

Get your face seen and try to mix with as many as possible and you won't go far wrong.

Whereabouts are you looking to join??

http://www.stockwoodvale.com/pages.php/index.html

 

[drawboy]

I have done it at my last two clubs and yes it is daunting. You feel like a new kid at school, a bit of an outsider at first and make no mistake for a few weeks you will feel like a fish out of water but you will meet people and slowly become accepted. It's not an easy thing to do but it always works out in the end, It did for me and I'm very happy where I am now.

 

[Crow]

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.

That's a great idea, in these times we need to do all we can to swell club membership and an article like that is bound to tempt a few players to join.


Regarding joining a new club, I joind mine knwoing one member from school days who I'd not seen for 20 odd years. Started playing in the Saturday roll up which is a great way to meet many new faces very quickly and after a year started entering competitions by just phoning the Pro and asking him to put me in a group with a spare place.

I now know many members but have got into the habit of not playing in a regular 4-ball by choice. I prefer not to play with the same people week in week out and that way I get a lot of variety in my playing partners and the game never feels stale.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Another "go for it" here. I joined my club on a bit of a punt, not knowing anyone. It worked out well, a good bunch of folk made me welcome and I've got loads of friends to play with now....

 

[MrGoodThingsInLife]

Moved here from Oz, didn't know anyone, and I am very happy with my choice of club. So same situation, I scouted around the local clubs to get an idea of the courses, the facilities and (I apologise for those that are in one) the level of snobbiness - so 1950s! What swung it for me (apart from no joining fee) was the friendliness of the staff and the fact that they gave me a free round to play the course and make my mind up. Course condition, true greens are great but that customer service combined with them is king

 

[la_lucha]

I have just joined Ullesthorpe on my own. It's the first time I've been a member at any club but they have an online booking system that allows you to join any 1,2 or 3 ball that's already registered. I'm going after work for a knock around on my own as I've never played the course before and then I'm taking a guest on Saturday and tagging along with a member and his guest. I'm thoroughly looking forward to it although a little apprehensive hence taking my pal for my first full round.

Hopefully the other member won't mind signing my card so i can get a handicap sorted (28 I reckon).

 

[GreiginFife]

I'm another that joined solo. Left my old club 3 years ago and all of my mates went separate ways driven by what was convenient for them. Made to feel very welcome from day one and have made some great friends and had some great days of golf since.

 

[User20205]

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 ?

I'm in Bournemouth too, a couple of us have just joined Brokenhurst but that may be a bit far from your side of town.

There is a guy on here, Canfordhacker who is member of Canford. It's a decent 54 hole complex, greens can be patchy though, but it's worth joining if it's close.

Knighton Heath is a nice course, a bit short but in great nick when I've played it.

I enquired about membership about 5 years ago when I lived over your way. They didn't seem the friendliest though, but that may have changed.

Back to the OP get involved in the role ups, get a handicap and play as many comps as possible. Either that or hang around the bar and buy everyone drinks that will make you popular

Dudsbury may be worth a look at also

or Broadstone, which is a top course, if they have any deals on

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

I joined a club 20 years ago and didnt really have any friends there, the first time I went to the club on my own I hadn't been sitting in the bar for more than 10 minutes when a couple of guy's asked me if I had a game, generally still the same we always try and make sure nobody gets left alone unless they want too.

The club will probably have swindles, roll ups etc, give it a try, you know it makes sense

 

[Sir Slicealot]

I joined with a friend, but there have been a couple of times that i've been on the practice putting area and someone on their own has asked if i'm on my own and wanted a round?

 

[MadAdey]

I joined my club on my own not knowing a single person up there. Fortunately I am the outgoing type of person so did not take long to make some friends. Does this new club have a roll up where any member is welcome to come and join in, as mine does and it is a great way for new members to get some playing partners.

 

[trevor]

I think it all depends on what type of person you are and how confident you are. I have recently joined a club with 3 people I know and have only really play with them up to now. 2 of us played in a comp with an old member ona saturday and he never spoke to either of us for the whole game. Kind of puts you off a bit.

 

[Shanks a lot!]

Just replying to echo the sentiments of most of the posts here. I joined my club at the beginning of march on my own, and despite being a bit nervous it's the best thing i've done. Met loads of new people who have been both helpful and welcoming, and a great way to meet new people!