Joining a municipal golf club

[leftfield]

I am toying with the idea of joining a club at a municipal and wondered if anybody is a member or has been and could share their experience ?

It would only be for a year to give me an idea if I would enjoy club membership before commiting to a private club. I live near Walton hall which I have heard is a top class municipal course

 

[pbrown7582]

Whether its municipal or private the list of priorities for joining a club are individual, I would have no qualms about joining a municipal again if the course was looked after and availibility to play suited my needs plenty from that neck of the woods on here who can possibly give you first hand knowledge of the actual club.

 

[louise_a]

Walton Hall is a decent course for a muni, its certainly worth joining if only to get a handicap and play in competitions, not sure if the club experience is the same as at a members club though.

 

[lyden]

It WAS a good muni, I'm originally from Warrington and played there a lot. However its a bit of a shambles now, every time I've played there recently the fairways and greens have been a mess. I don't think joining there would reflect a private club experience, it would only give you an indication of how much you would use the course.

 

[louise_a]

It WAS a good muni, I'm originally from Warrington and played there a lot. However its a bit of a shambles now, every time I've played there recently the fairways and greens have been a mess. I don't think joining there would reflect a private club experience, it would only give you an indication of how much you would use the course.

In my defence it was over 30 years ago that I last played it.

 

[leftfield]

, it would only give you an indication of how much you would use the course.

Yeah I just want to get an idea how often I would play, I only know one other person who plays but he is somewhat unreliable!!

 

[jpenno]

Yeah I just want to get an idea how often I would play, I only know one other person who plays but he is somewhat unreliable!!

More reason to join a club meet new playing partners

Have you had a look at any local members clubs? obviously you won't get into Warrington as you need to be proposed and long waiting list

Sutton hall not too far from you is a decent course (I am biased though as that's where I play ;-) ) happy to sign you in for a round

 

[Liverbirdie]

Yeah I just want to get an idea how often I would play, I only know one other person who plays but he is somewhat unreliable!!

Hello fella, it depends on how many times you currently play, or want to play. Normally clubs within munis only have selected tee times, and outside of that you are in with the rest.

If you want to play twice a week, probably better (and cheaper) to join a private club, as you can also go whenever you want outside of competition times.

 

[duncan mackie]

I am toying with the idea of joining a club at a municipal and wondered if anybody is a member or has been and could share their experience ?

about 28 years at one, overlapping 3 with other memberships.

the experience is what the club, based on the course, makes it - and the corollary is that not all 'private members clubs' are the same either! Many aren't member owned, most aren't that private and some fall short on the club bit too

course access and the unit cost to play are probably the biggest issues; you can play comps, represent the club in matches and enter opens with both memberships.

whatever suits you

 

[lyden]

Im not sure of your level of golf but if your just starting out i would opt for somewhere less penal, Walton is a tough place to ply your trade. What are the subscription rates? If its cheap it might be worth putting up with un raked bunkers, divots and pitch marks on the greens. Beware though the drainage is shocking after rain the place is a write off.

 

[stevie_r]

about 28 years at one, overlapping 3 with other memberships.

the experience is what the club, based on the course, makes it - and the corollary is that not all 'private members clubs' are the same either! Many aren't member owned, most aren't that private and some fall short on the club bit too

course access and the unit cost to play are probably the biggest issues; you can play comps, represent the club in matches and enter opens with both memberships.

whatever suits you

Great post - I can hear the 'hurumph' noises from behind broadsheets

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It depends what you want. Do they run competitions so you can maintain/obtain a valid handicap. How easily can you get on at a time to suit. What is the state of the course like. Are you prepared for slow rounds at the height of summer. I have a couple of munis near me and The Downshire in particular is a great course always well presented with two clubs attached and is a good example of how one should be run. Owned by Bracknell Forest and is good value to money

If you draw up a list of what you want and see how many ticks the muni gives you will let you make a decision. Are there any members clubs nearby to compare the courses

 

[Mungoscorner]

about 28 years at one, overlapping 3 with other memberships.

the experience is what the club, based on the course, makes it - and the corollary is that not all 'private members clubs' are the same either! Many aren't member owned, most aren't that private and some fall short on the club bit too

course access and the unit cost to play are probably the biggest issues; you can play comps, represent the club in matches and enter opens with both memberships.

whatever suits you

Couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[LeeTurner]

I'm a member of a club attached to a muni. The course itself is excellent, no winter greens and well maintained. The club has three competitions a week which are all very well subscribed.
However I am now looking at a couple of private clubs with a view to joining one next month. The reasons?

1 - the cost is not much different . I pay an annual green fee and a club membership fee the total of which is the same or more than a couple of local courses
2 - Apart from gaining a handicap, and meeting some good people, there is little benefit from being a member. There are no reserved times so a tee time has to be booked for every game with no priority to members. I can't take a visitor round on a members green fee.
3 - The tee times are limited to when the pro shop is open. Not a problem in winter but in summer it would be good to get on either very early or late.
4 - Summer and most weekends can get very busy with slow rounds.


It has been a great introduction to golf for me and I've learnt a lot from the members but I work flexible hours and need the convenience of being able to play whenever I want. It's a hard move though as the course is one of the best in the area.

 

[mat100p]

I am toying with the idea of joining a club at a municipal and wondered if anybody is a member or has been and could share their experience ?

It would only be for a year to give me an idea if I would enjoy club membership before commiting to a private club. I live near Walton hall which I have heard is a top class municipal course

Hi I have never played Walton hall even though I live on out skirts of Warrington but I am a member of hart common near Bolton which is a muni, excellent course usga greens and open all year. You can pay £125 membership and then pay £12 - 15 per round depending on times etc. Works well for me as I only get to play once a fortnight or so unfortunately. I,ve been a member of private clubs and it is slightly different but all clubs have clique's just because you join a club doesn't garentee you'll gain hundreds of potential golf partners. Good luck.