Joining Club please advise

[shaun83]

Hi

Been playing regular golf for about 10 years now, (usually a high 80's low 90's player) but have decided to get more serious this year with my football commitments ending.
Looking to join local club, but I'd be joining alone, just finding this a little bit daunting at the minute. I know most people already have there weekly fourballs in place, were would this leave me, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[HRC99]

Play the course and have a chat with the pro or the secretary. Find out how they do comps, drawn or otherwise. Ask if there are many set fourballs. Talk to some of the members & have a drink in the bar afterwards. Just check out the lie of the land really.

 

[drawboy]

Good advice, I've joined my last two clubs as a single and not had too much difficulty really, the bar area is the key to getting accepted as a newbie though IMO.

 

[MKDave]

Hi Shaun

I joined my first club last year but did it with my dad and a mate. We had some good old fun playing loads of different courses.

We all knew straight after out first round at our now club that it was definately the one!

Nice feel to it all round and was very good value.

Of all the courses we played over a 3/4 months period (we played lots) we all played pretty well first look at the course we joined but we all shot higher than our normal round.

I think this has improved us immensely as I've played some of the other course since and have shaved loads of shots off everywhere else.

You've got to join somewhere that is a challenge to you and your game!

Where abouts in the country are you? I'm sure a few boys on here will be able to set you up with a game or two to test the water

 

[shaun83]

I'm in Liverpool looking to join Lee Park, which I have played as a visitor a dozen times, added bonus of membership you can also play on 13 local courses included in subscription.

 

[Macster]

Good point this, and something I have literally just suggested to our Pro in an email.
I think every Club should perhaps have 'Ambassadors' - current members that are prepared to take out potential new member enquiries etc, make them feel welcome, show them around, and have a beer afterwards etc, it would make a 'newbie's' first experience all the more pleasant I think.

Once you join, its a case of getting your face known.......on the putting green, in the bar,.......in the Proshop etc etc,.......and joing in the Comps asap too, - just put your name down in any slot and see what happens.

I know it must seem daunting, and Golfers can be a bit cliquey, but hey, we arent all bad.

 

[richart]

One of the reasons i joined my club was that they had roll ups virtually every day, including weekends. Best way to get to know a lot of members in a short time. If anyone else has just joined you may be able to get a partner for the pairs competitions.

 

[Tommo21]

Lots of good advice from the guys above. Ask or try find out some other new members, that’ll get you started. If you don’t know anyone, just ask the pro if there is some sweeps or roll ups that are open to others. Find out the busy and quiet times. I just asked if there was any groups of players to join.

 

[Crow]

I've been a member at my club for four years now and still haven't settled to a regular fourball, and I have to say I prefer it that way.

It's a very friendly club and I know lots of the members now. We use an on-line booking system and I feel I can drop into any group where there's a space.

I like to play in different groups and find it gets a bit stale if I'm in the same group for a few weeks on the trot. (And they've probably had enough of me by then too!)

 

[Evesdad]

Don't be put off by joining on your own, I joined my club in October as my friend was already a member. He has regular 4 ball every Saturday which I fill in when someone drops. Other than that I played on my own for the first few weeks while finding my feet, had a drink in bar after said hello etc. Then one chap joined up with me on Saturday afternoon for nine holes and I've never looked back, I've played with different people every weekend since Xmas! I feel like the club tart! But I've been introduced to more people etc and now feel part of the club than just turning up and playing. I do feel that clubs could do a lot more to help new members settle in, I did it myself and scared myself stupid on the way where on the first few rounds an ambassador or something could make life so much easier. We too have online booking and now know I can happily tag into a free space and also don't mind people joining mine. All you have to do now is find club or course for you to settle on!

 

[GB72]

The drawn comps or roll ups are important. My club has neither so everyone stays in their own groups. Took me ages to get involved in any other group outside of those I joined with as I had to just turn up and hope for the best. That was ok if there was a comp as there were normally a couple of people not made up but very hard to find a friendly round. Really like the idea of club ambassadors. It also helps if the club has a pro who will help find you a group or who will help put groups together

 

[shaun83]

Thanks to all feel a little bit more relaxed now wish me luck

 

[upsidedown]

Joined my first club, Patshull Park, on my own and was introduced on the my first Saturday to a bunch of guys who played at around 8 every week. Played with them as 2 four balls till I left to join Bridgnorth with my new wife.
There we had no problems fitting in.

Out here in NZ our first golf club was very cliquey and found it hard to get regular spot on Saturdays.

Joined Rangiora and totally different, very friendly and have drawn comps on Sats so you're always playing with different folks.

Go for it

 

[tonto768]

All our weekend comps are drawn. We also have a new members night before the start of the season so that new members can meet each other and the Committtee

 

[Parmo]

Good advice, I've joined my last two clubs as a single and not had too much difficulty really, the bar area is the key to getting accepted as a newbie though IMO.

Do you have to take a large amount with you though?

 

[gregbwfc]

Good read this thread, as I've just joined a club on my own also.
It seems a friendly place though and there is a new members evening next month,so hopefully I'll meet potential playing partners there.
Biggest problem will be getting my handicap asap so that I can enter comps.

 

[Qwerty]

Good read this thread, as I've just joined a club on my own also.
It seems a friendly place though and there is a new members evening next month,so hopefully I'll meet potential playing partners there.
Biggest problem will be getting my handicap asap so that I can enter comps.

Where have you joined Greg?

 

[gregbwfc]

Good read this thread, as I've just joined a club on my own also.
It seems a friendly place though and there is a new members evening next month,so hopefully I'll meet potential playing partners there.
Biggest problem will be getting my handicap asap so that I can enter comps.

Where have you joined Greg?

Preston.
I think it's one of the best courses in Lancs.
Chuffed to have got in.

 

[Qwerty]

Preston is a good course.I can't say the same about football team
Thought you may of been closer to Bolton, being a BWFC supporter.I play at Chorley.

 

[gregbwfc]

Qwerty,

Not played Chorley for a while but again,another great course.