Joining a Golf Club

MattCarter

MattCarter

Assistant Pro
Joined
Aug 17, 2010
Messages
117
Location
Witham, Essex
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Hi All,

I am new to the game and really have been caught by the bug of this wonderful game (always want to be out of the course even when I’m asleep)

I have been playing for 5 months now and want to play all the time so was thinking about joining a club.
I know I have to complete three cards signed by a member of the club to get my handicap but is there any ruling on how good you have to be to get a handicap.
(I know I don’t play to a 28 handicap and haven’t broken the 100 mark yet. Best round is 113 round a 4974 Yard and SSS 64 course)

Also will this cause me a problem when trying to find people to play a round with to get my cards signed?

Does anyone think I will have a problem with having a membership or should I wait until I get better?
 
There is no minimum standard to get a handicap, and in some ways you are better off getting one while your game is still rough. Then you can improve and see your handicap fall.

Go for it.

I would be happy to play with a new member marking a card for handicap, and I am sure most players would.
 
Welcome to the wonderful game of golf!

You will get the maximum handicap of 28 once you hand in three cards, but they only count up to double bogey for each hole you play (so a 10 on a par 4 would actually be 6 for handicapping), so it's possible you may end up at a bit less.

Joining a club should guarantee you cheaper and regular golf, and remember you don't have to enter competitions if you don't want to do so. Just ensure you find out the club's rules about keeping an "active" handicap - you may need to put in 6 cards for the year, but they don't have to be in comps, as long as a member signs them, you're fine.

Most members at my place are happy to go round with anyone - I know I am. 28 or 2.8 it doesn't matter much to me. Ask the pro-shop to suggest some members to play with initially if you like. I played for a good while with the guys who signed my 3 cards, but now play with a variety of folks.

One thing I would suggest is get your handicap from the white tees. If you want to enter comps, those are almost always the tees used, so no point in getting a handicap from the yellows some 200 - 500 yards less (course dependent).

Good luck with everything and make sure you enjoy your golf whatever happens! :)
 
If anyone doesn't want to play with you due to your playing level then it says more about them and probably isn't someone you'd want to play with anyway.

Most will be very willing to help you get started as we were all in that same boat at one stage.

Playing with good company is far more important than playing with good players for the majority.

Good luck.
 
Where were you thinking of joining?
I live in Hainault so not far from Woodford and over the years have played most courses nearby.

My club has 2 tee times reserved on Saturday mornings for the captain or h/c secretary to go round with new members to get their cards signed, its a great way to get intergrated into the club and meet other members new and old.
 
One thing I would suggest is get your handicap from the white tees. If you want to enter comps, those are almost always the tees used, so no point in getting a handicap from the yellows some 200 - 500 yards less (course dependent).
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Hello everyone my first post, the above is the best piece of advice you can give to a new golfer.
I have just finished my first year playing, my game is getting better but my handicap worse.
When i joined my club i was asked to hand in 3 cards off yellows, which i did and was given a handicap of 21(best round 92).
In comps i haven't come close to this, my best round 98 its been soul destroying with my +0.1 every sunday.
For not a big hitter, on a cliff top the white tees are a nightmare.
 
Where were you thinking of joining?
I live in Hainault so not far from Woodford and over the years have played most courses nearby.

My club has 2 tee times reserved on Saturday mornings for the captain or h/c secretary to go round with new members to get their cards signed, its a great way to get intergrated into the club and meet other members new and old.
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Really good idea that. I am going to suggest that at my club though I am not sure how well it will go down.
 
Surely it is the function of your proposer and seconder to help integrate you into the club, and also to play some golf with you until you sort yourself out? It should be down the the Captain and secretary, who are probably busy enough.
 
I am actually moving to Witham Essex so was looking to join round there may be in Chelmsford somewhere.

I have played lee valley a couple of times (where my best round was) and whitewebbs as well but haven't played many others as play near Chelmsford normally.

starting to really look forward to joining now, not sure when to join tho either end of November (when i can afford to) or begin of next year/season which do you think would be best.
 
It could also depend on the club as well, where I play (that I'm not a member of incidentally), they say that for someone to be given a 28 handicap you need one card to be 100 or better (it's par 71, handicap 28 would give 99 shots), however the chap I go out with didn't manage that, his best card of the three was 102 I think and they gave him a 28. He's since shot 96 a couple of times I think, so all's well there.

They wouldn't take any cards from the guy who couldn't break 200 though, although they did allow him to join first! You can pay monthly at this place and cancel at any time though, which is what he did after a few months as he wasn't getting any better (hardly surprising given that he flatly refused to pay for lessons, saying they were a waste of money. Yes, he was an idiot...).

If you're shooting 113 at a SSS64 course you're some way over 28 though, so best have a word with someone at the course you're thinking of joining. They're the only ones
that can really advise you on their policy.
 
Surely it is the function of your proposer and seconder to help integrate you into the club, and also to play some golf with you until you sort yourself out? It should be down the the Captain and secretary, who are probably busy enough.
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it is not always necessary to have a proposer and seconder at my club. You can submit a written application which is posted on the notice board for 2 weeks for any comments and if there are no objections then you are called in for an interview.

Why shouldn't a member of the committee help integrate new members. After all they are in their posts to look after the interests of the club and a happy, integrated new member is more likely to sign up for another year, spend money in the bar etc than one who feels on the outside.
 
Surely it is the function of your proposer and seconder to help integrate you into the club, and also to play some golf with you until you sort yourself out? It should be down the the Captain and secretary, who are probably busy enough.
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Its not that sort of club, anyone can join you dont need to have someone propose and second you.
 
Personally I like to integrate myself in to a new club by putting my name down and playing with different people. I find new members evening a bit contrived for me, but it seems to work for a lot of golfers
 
I am actually moving to Witham Essex so was looking to join round there may be in Chelmsford somewhere.

I have played lee valley a couple of times (where my best round was) and whitewebbs as well but haven't played many others as play near Chelmsford normally.

starting to really look forward to joining now, not sure when to join tho either end of November (when i can afford to) or begin of next year/season which do you think would be best.
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Ok no worries Witham is a bit far up the A12 for me so cant recomend much round that way.
If your trying to improve your game i would suggest Hobbs Cross near Epping, its always in great condition and a nice mix of holes (9 hole Par3 & 9 hole Par3, 4 & 5 mixture) and virtually impossible to lose a ball.

Good luck
 
Really good idea that. I am going to suggest that at my club though I am not sure how well it will go down.
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If the two times are not taken up by the captain or secretary the pro lets the groups behind know and they just go off earlier so its never a problem.

I done one card with captain, one with the H/c secretary and one with the vice captain got on really well with them and play with them and their mates every week.

I met other new members at the same time as doing my cards and if you dont end up playing with them again you will always see them around the club so at least you can say hello or have a chat when your in the club house etc.
 
Ok no worries Witham is a bit far up the A12 for me so cant recomend much round that way.
If your trying to improve your game i would suggest Hobbs Cross near Epping, its always in great condition and a nice mix of holes (9 hole Par3 & 9 hole Par3, 4 & 5 mixture) and virtually impossible to lose a ball.

Good luck
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Oh i forgot about hobbs cross played there once in the summer was a really nice course and I like the par 3 with the water on the left side of the green
 
I'd recommend waiting til next year... winter golf can be soul-destroying!
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ok I’m not sure what to expect with winter golf. I know this is a stupid question but what changes in the winter i know some places have winter tees and some won’t allow trolleys on the course. but don’t know when this all starts and if there is any other changes.
 
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