Just received an interesting e mail from my club.

[Hallsy]

Im a member of a small 9 hole golf club near Bristol. It only has 3 par 4s up to 390 yds and the rest are par 3s from 110yds up to 210 yds. It specialises in beginners golf from juniors to adults giving lots of free lessons and subsidised lessons to all to get into golf. Its 50% male and 50% female/juniors with competitions open to all. It hasnt a plush club house but has a good driving range/ putting area practice bunker. I became a member around 18months after getting back into golf and as most clubs locally are around £1000 plus joining fee it was great for me a £400 as i cant very often do 18 and as its on my doorstep i can sometimes get 9 holes in on an evening and can always get a tee off time as its rare not to be able to get a tee off time. Sorry for the rambling but ive just received this e mail.

WE ADOPT RELAXED APPROACH
We want to be as welcoming as possible. It is important that we adapt with golfers' preferences, to ensure they always feel accepted and comfortable every time they visit.
Is insisting on a traditional dress code bad for business? Are there some potential golfers out there who would play if they could play in the clothes of their choice. These are questions that are being asked nationwide. Golf isn't growing and hasn't done for many years, it is shrinking. The fact is, we must ask "will relaxing our dress code bring some of the casual paying customers back?"
Most of us prefer to play golf in traditional smart golf clothes and have never played anywhere that did not have a dress code. This experiment therefore is not without a great deal of consideration and research.
Until further notice our preferred clothing now reads-
We prefer golf clothing but we are not going to stop you wearing what you feel comfortable in - within reason. Shirts must be worn. Torn and dirty clothing is not permitted. Footwear must not damage greens. Golf shoes or trainers are suitable.
The traditional dress code will remain for week end competitions. Your comments after a trial period will be welcomed.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Interesting to see how many people will turn up wearing "non golf clothing"

Being honest - i hope my club keep the same policy we have - clean appropiate golf clothing - proper golf shoes, tailored shorts or trousers and shirts must be tucked in. I actually like being smart on a golf course

 

[need_my_wedge]

Interesting to see how many people will turn up wearing "non golf clothing"

Being honest - i hope my club keep the same policy we have - clean appropiate golf clothing - proper golf shoes, tailored shorts or trousers and shirts must be tucked in. I actually like being smart on a golf course

I second this.

 

[andybarc]

If you are looking to encourage visitors and people new to the game then allowing people to wear trainers is probably sensible. I used to play at a small 9 hole municipal course. They'd let people wear all sorts, jeans the lot. It never really caused a problem in itself, but just don't expect any golfing etiquette!

 

[Hallsy]

Interesting to see how many people will turn up wearing "non golf clothing"

Being honest - i hope my club keep the same policy we have - clean appropiate golf clothing - proper golf shoes, tailored shorts or trousers and shirts must be tucked in. I actually like being smart on a golf course

To be honest although its only a small club ive never seen anyone not wearing golfing clothing, even juniors. I think because we dont have a large members list theyre just trying to draw in some more members/revenue. It does surprise me though as Andrew the owner is an ex european tour player many many years ago and was a real stickler for dress code to the point of having some clothing available to use if people turned up in jeans etc.

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

That's incredibly vague.
It also has a whiff of desperation.

Having said that my first swing of a club was on a municipal 9 hole - not a pitch and putt - with no dress or etiquette codes.
We got five clubs in a bag marked "For Hire".
On a Sunday morning we stood behind the first tee in a queue of blokes hoping to shake off Saturday night hangovers.
if you managed to hit a ball over the ditch 50 yards off you got a joint "Ooh!" and applause from the queue - anything else was met with raucous laughter and barracking.
Happy days

Edit:
Andybarc - was it in Gwent?

 

[nemicu]

That's incredibly vague.
It also has a whiff of desperation.

That's what I thought. Then I though to myself: what was the best a 9-hole course in Bristol was hoping for anyway?
Regional qualifying for the Open?

 

[Hobbit]

I thought I was a dyed in the wool traditionalist, dating back to my first steps in golf over 40 years ago. I recently joined a club that has a far more relaxed attitude, but still retained a requirement for proper golf attire out on the course. Quite frankly, I'm enjoying the lack of restrictions in and around the clubhouse, including no restrictions on mobile phones, inc out on the course - I rarely take a mobile anyway but its great not to experience an oppresive atmosphere.

Its not just about relaxing rules to bring new blood into the game but also to retain those that may be finding other things more attractive.

Yes there should be the dyed in the wool traditional clubs for those that want them, but there should also be other clubs for those that want something a little different. There's room for all in this game but there is also a need for those in management positions to recognise the need for change in those clubs that are struggling.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

That's what I thought. Then I though to myself: what was the best a 9-hole course in Bristol was hoping for anyway?
Regional qualifying for the Open?

Possibly to gain more membership to allow it expand and go beyond being a 9 hole golf course.

 

[Hallsy]

On the teaching side theyre extremely busy. They have just employed a new pro making 4 in total now. 18 months ago they only stocked Ping they now stock Ping,Callaway,Nike and Taylor Made. Flightscope has been installed for fittings/lessons.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

On the teaching side theyre extremely busy. They have just employed a new pro making 4 in total now. 18 months ago they only stocked Ping they now stock Ping,Callaway,Nike and Taylor Made. Flightscope has been installed for fittings/lessons.

Sounds like a club looking to move forward

where abouts in Bristol is it ?

 

[louise_a]

England Golf generally are trying to make golf more inclusive, easing the dress code is one option they are thinking about.

 

[Hallsy]

Sounds like a club looking to move forward

where abouts in Bristol is it ?

Tickenham near Clevedon.The greens are great for the size of the club and its helped my short game no end and I use my county card to play the local clubs for a challenge.

 

[nemicu]

Possibly to gain more membership to allow it expand and go beyond being a 9 hole golf course.

That's probably an issue with land - not clothing.
I've said it before and I've seen it in action. Clubs that have to "dumb down" to the masses to try to stimulate business are usually going to struggle regardless. It's also no coincidence that clubs that are healthy financially are also the ones with a more defined club etiquette policy. If they really want to expand as a club and as a business, then allow jeans and trainers is not the way to do it. Hard to say it without sounding like a snob, but jeans and trainers puts people OFF from joining clubs - it does nothing to actively encourage membership. I've yet to find anyone who said "I'd join if they allowed jeans". At least, anyone that was serious about playing golf on a long term basis.

 

[davidg2010uk]

Most golf shoes look like trainers these days anyway. Don't have a problem if someone wants to accompany them with a smart pair of jeans. Great move by a 9 hole course.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

That's probably an issue with land - not clothing.
I've said it before and I've seen it in action. Clubs that have to "dumb down" to the masses to try to stimulate business are usually going to struggle regardless. It's also no coincidence that clubs that are healthy financially are also the ones with a more defined club etiquette policy. If they really want to expand as a club and as a business, then allow jeans and trainers is not the way to do it. Hard to say it without sounding like a snob, but jeans and trainers puts people OFF from joining clubs - it does nothing to actively encourage membership. I've yet to find anyone who said "I'd join if they allowed jeans". At least, anyone that was serious about playing golf on a long term basis.

Relaxing dress codes doesnt automatically mean "playing in jeans" or bing allowed to "play in jeans"

It could be ebing allowed to wear a football top or having a polo shirt hanging out or just wearing plain trainers etc - not sure why its automatically assumed its all about weraing jeans.

 

[Stuey01]

Hi Hallsy,
I'm in bristol too, just wondering where is this place?

If you were thinking about joining a members club with a full 18 holes Filton is a good friendly club and only £757 (inc Union fees and £20 bar levy) this year.

Cheers
Stu

 

[nemicu]

Relaxing dress codes doesnt automatically mean "playing in jeans" or bing allowed to "play in jeans"

It could be ebing allowed to wear a football top or having a polo shirt hanging out or just wearing plain trainers etc - not sure why its automatically assumed its all about weraing jeans.

Not really sure why attire needs to open to interpretation to stimulate anyone into playing old either. Your point is?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Not really sure why attire needs to open to interpretation to stimulate anyone into playing old either. Your point is?

Because the image of golf from some is a bit of a stuffy old school must wear tucked in polo and trousers when some might be more interested if the rules were relaxed a little - even just allowing people to have their polo shirt not tucked in.

But my point is you appeared to automatically suggest it was about wearing jeans and to relax dress codes doesnt automatically suggest wearing jeans

 

[DAVEYBOY]

Interesting to see how many people will turn up wearing "non golf clothing"

Being honest - i hope my club keep the same policy we have - clean appropiate golf clothing - proper golf shoes, tailored shorts or trousers and shirts must be tucked in. I actually like being smart on a golf course

For once I agree with you Phillip :thup:

Wait wait... I didn't read the shirts must be ticked in part properly