Joining fees

[mostivoi]

Was just wondering how many people on here clubs still have a joining fee? There talk every year bout the club dropping ours every year yet it never happens. I personally think its something that needs to go and would help bring in a younger age group and with the recession it would definietly help bring in new members

 

[Toad]

Supply and demand dictates if your club can keep your joining fee.

Recently joined a new club that is one of the few that still has one, I was happy to pay as it's the best club by a mile in my area.

It also has around 1200 members so can afford to keep it.

 

[USER1999]

Still got one, and I agree with having one. There could be an argument for reducing it, but getting rid completely would be daft.

 

[richart]

We have one, though it seems to be negotiable, especially over the early winter months. Easier to get someone to join a club in March April when the season is getting under way, than November December. All nearby courses have huge joining fees, like two years subs. Ours is £500 from memory, less than half a sub.

 

[Alex1975]

We dont have one, me and a friend joined because they did not have one. I could not have joined if there was one.


Are they ment to keep people at the club longer?

 

[mostivoi]

If your club is full then dropping it would be crazy. We probably have the best course in are town but membership keeps dropping and most people who are interested are put off by the £1000 joining fee.

 

[Aztecs27]

No joining fee at our club currently.

Off on Saturday to pay my £380 yearly subs!

 

[Alex1975]

No joining fee at our club currently.

Off on Saturday to pay my £380 yearly subs!

Um... WOW!!! is it a field?

 

[Simo19]

We have dropped ours for a limited time period, but increased the membership fee to compensate for the drop in numbers that I think all clubs are facing. It's a double edged sword I'm sorry to say, but I for one am willing to pay the slight increase in membership. I also had to pay joining fee when joining which was quite an expensive hit for the first year, but it was money well spent and I do not begrudge new members not having to stump up that cash.

 

[Aztecs27]

No joining fee at our club currently.

Off on Saturday to pay my £380 yearly subs!

Um... WOW!!! is it a field?

Nope, but being under 30 years old is a massive bonus apparently

Here's a pic of the course:

It's quite open (in parts), but there's a fair bit of water. Feel free to come down any time you like for a round.

 

[Alex1975]

Looks stunning! What a deal!!!

 

[Aztecs27]

I know. I feel guilty!

 

[Alex1975]

I know. I feel guilty!

Cos your swing is so bad?? ... hehe

 

[Twire]

We still have a £1000 joining fee, and about 60 on the waiting list to join.

 

[Aztecs27]

I know. I feel guilty!

Cos your swing is so bad?? ... hehe

Yes

 

[Bacardibatman]

muuuuust resissssst Yorkshire comment



phew thank the lord for my willpower





btw my grandfather was from yorkshire



The current joining fee for new members joining (name removed - from my old club) during the period 1st January 2011 through to 31st December 2011 is £2500 (plus VAT).

 

[colint]

All of the clubs in my area that have waiting lists have joining fees, the ones struggling for members have dropped them, simple supply and demand really.

I don't have a problem paying one if it's for the right reasons. I don't think it's coincidence that the clubs around here that have one are all in immaculate condition, and the others have some issues with their condition.

 

[Fyldewhite]

No, we waived ours several years ago and have no plans to re-introduce it.

Clubs have to be realistic in setting such charges when membership is falling. A joining fee is the single biggest obstacle when joining a club for prospective new members. Removing the fee does indeed enable members to move freely between clubs as they have no cash "invested" in a membership. However, the number who do this in practice is still low as there is a lot more than cash invested in membership such as friendships, familiarity, the banter etc, which all has to be begun afresh at a new place.

Personally I think removing the fee is a good thing and drives up the general standard of the service that clubs provide as they have to compete with each other for both new and existing business. It also makes golf a more affordable sport to get into and goes some way to shaking off the "sport for rich knobs" image that is still a stereotype deservedly or not.

 

[m1975]

i hear that just 3 in leicestershire now still have a joining fee

 

[Timh27]

My club has dropped there £250 joining fee which is one of the reasons why i joined. I think quite a few clubs in my area have.