Joining a new club - Committee Interview

[Break90]

I applied for membership at a golf club near me in November, I was informed at the time that there is a short waiting list and that membership would probably not be offered until Nov 2014. So I decided to rejoin at my old club (60 miles away, left there 7 years ago but still know a lot of the members), for a year to get back into playing competitive golf in the meantime.

I have now been asked to attend the new club next week for a Committee Interview, which I knew was a requirement when I applied.

I have come up with a couple of things I would like clarification on, particularly about whether competitions are randomly drawn or not, and whether there are roll-up games that are open to anyone. As per a previous post I don't know a single person at the club, and my concern is that I won't find it easy to integrate and get a game when I want to play (weekend mornings ideally)

The fact that the annual subs plus joining fee (yes, they still have a joining fee!!) are in excess of 2K mean this is an absolute priority for me, as I dont want to part with my cash then not be able to play when I want.

My question to the forum is what other things might it be prudent to clarify when I attend the meeting. Also what are the committe members likely to ask me? When I joined my previous club I already knew a few members including the Captain so there was no interview as such.

Thanks in advance

 

[Hacker Khan]

You could try asking them what they can offer you and why you should join their club. That would give you a good idea of how much they value their members. And if all else fails ask them the what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow. That should tell you if they have a sense of humour or not.

 

[big_eck]

I would freak out if I had to go for an interview to join a club! With all the clubs struggling for new members around here they should be begging you to join not the other way around

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Blaze away, ask them about anything that concerns you.
Their replies will help you make your mind up
You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

.... be polite and wear a jacket and tie [trousers optional]

 

[dotty001]

Ask them if they know the correct position to stand when your playing partners teeing off ?

 

[matt611]

Ask about how often the course closes due to rain - do they have good drainage?

 

[1948griff]

For £2k a year I'd ask them about playing through winter. We used to play a shortened course etc and it was rubbish, but have gone to full course bar tee beds on par 3's and playing from semi-rough.
Good shout about roll ups and swindle's, existing members should be willing to put in some effort with newbies as ultimately new members = lower fees.

 

[cookelad]

Just make sure they've got friendly swindles that accept new recruits, if you don't have decent folk to play with you might as well stay at home!

 

[fundy]

Id want to know about the following:
Is there a booking system or can you just rock up and play?
Comps - how many and how many of them are drawn
Roll-ups - when and how easy to join
Course restrictions - how many days is it closed to members for things like county events, pro comps
Socieities - how many do they allow a week and are they limited to certain times
Do they have reciprocal arrangements with any other courses that you can play for free
What is the dress code (ie any requirement for shirt and tie etc)
How often do they close the course for weather? (do they use temps, how do they react to frost, how is the drainage)
What do they require from a member?

Which course? JOG?

 

[bluewolf]

Id want to know about the following:
Is there a booking system or can you just rock up and play?
Comps - how many and how many of them are drawn
Roll-ups - when and how easy to join
Course restrictions - how many days is it closed to members for things like county events, pro comps
Socieities - how many do they allow a week and are they limited to certain times
Do they have reciprocal arrangements with any other courses that you can play for free
What is the dress code (ie any requirement for shirt and tie etc)
How often do they close the course for weather? (do they use temps, how do they react to frost, how is the drainage)
What do they require from a member?

Which course? JOG?

Good post... You should also remember that most interviews are formalities. As long as you don't turn up and waffle on for several hours about the correct position to stand when your PP is teeing off you'll be fine...:thup:

 

[bladeplayer]

Not sure of your health of if you carry your clubs or not , if you use or need a trolley it might be worth asking do they have a trolley ban in winter

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

.... be polite and wear a jacket and tie [trousers optional]

ooh - bit old fashioned and respectful that @Doon

 

[bluewolf]

ooh - bit old fashioned and respectful that @Doon

I would always recommend wearing a suit. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed....

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Id want to know about the following:
Is there a booking system or can you just rock up and play?
Comps - how many and how many of them are drawn
Roll-ups - when and how easy to join
Course restrictions - how many days is it closed to members for things like county events, pro comps
Socieities - how many do they allow a week and are they limited to certain times
Do they have reciprocal arrangements with any other courses that you can play for free
What is the dress code (ie any requirement for shirt and tie etc)
How often do they close the course for weather? (do they use temps, how do they react to frost, how is the drainage)
What do they require from a member?

Which course? JOG?

Yup - just about covers everything. I'd also ask about playing for club teams - what sort of teams are open to all - what ones could I qualify for if my handicap is X or I win something. How do I make myself available for selection.

And I'd ask about how the course copes with rain; what causes it to be closed to play; how often weather closes the course; or when buggies or trolleys would be banned. I think this shows an interest in the course. So also could ask about course development plans.

You could ask about opportunities to play with lady members in comps - as you'll very quickly find yourself snapped up and playing in mixed comps if you express an interest.

 

[pbrown7582]

Just make sure they've got friendly swindles that accept new recruits, if you don't have decent folk to play with you might as well stay at home!

this would be key, i joined a club (back in the day) with a similar joining fee and interview and once in found it was so cliquey couldnt hardly get a game and ended up hardly playing.
Maybe have a chat with the pro or one of the assistants to gauge there general opinion of the membership and friendliness to new members

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I would always recommend wearing a suit. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed....

Absolutely - but must go check to see where R&A tells me it's best to do that (kidding - honest)

 

[bluewolf]

Absolutely - but must go check to see where R&A tells me it's best to do that (kidding - honest)

Lol, don't start it off again......

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

this would be key, i joined a club (back in the day) with a similar joining fee and interview and once in found it was so cliquey couldnt hardly get a game and ended up hardly playing.
Maybe have a chat with the pro or one of the assistants to gauge there general opinion of the membership and friendliness to new members

I agree - it's a lot of money so you want to be integrated as quickly as possible. As the interview is really only a formality (I would have hoped) if you have the interview during the day when other members are about in the clubhouse, you might ask if you could be shown around and maybe introduced to some members for a wee chat. Our secretary often brings prospective members into the clubhouse lounge following their interview to show them around them and for them to have a chat with any of us members who happen to be about.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Lol, don't start it off again......

I won't - promise.

 

[Break90]

The club is Gog Magog, just outside Cambridge.

From the research I've done, the soil is chalk-based, hence good drainage. There are 2 courses, one of which has in previous years held Open Qualifiers. Both courses are currently fully open, the only stipulation is winter lies, to be expected this time of year.

The 2K is inclusive of a joining fee of £900, annual subs are £1122. Yes its a fair wedge, but I'll be getting 2 decent courses for less than £100 a month after the first year, so I can justify it. (Havn't told the wife exactly how much it is though.....)


The 2 course setup means that there is always one course open for members only, societies and visitors on the other on any given day.

Good shout about representative teams, I really enjoyed this at my previous club.

pbrown7582 - I think it was one of your posts recently that started me thinking about the availability of swindles/roll-ups, this is absolutely my main priority for exactly the reason that you state.

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.