BrizoH71
Tour Rookie
Noticed earlier today that Leven Golfing Society have some cracking 2017 membership deals, and I'm now seriously caught in two minds what to do.
I'm about to enter my fourth year at my current club, and it's no secret that we're a bit under the cosh financially. Our subs have gone up again due to a drop in membership, which has led to me re-evaluate.
I like my current club, I've met a lot of good people and built up a good circle of playing partners. The staff are great and the course is a joy to play in the summer, although perhaps less so in the winter as it does get very wet as most parkland courses do. I'm only 5 minutes from home to the first tee, and regularly jump in after work on the way home for 9-holes or to use the practice facilities, or even just go for a juice and a blether with the clubhouse staff.
We've also just named a new pro, and I would feel guilty of jumping ship with the club in the position it is in currently.
But the Leven deal is in my mind a belter, coming in at £425 for Country Membership as I live south of the River Forth, which isn't a kick in the backside off £200 less than our upcoming 2017/18 subscription. And it comes with £40 bar credit to boot.
The downsides is it is a 50ish-minute drive over the Forth Bridge and A92, both of which can be horrendous if caught at the wrong time, and at current prices around a tenner in fuel for a round trip. It would see a big curtailment in my playing time due to travelling. Plus I'd be leaving all my pals and pitching up at a club where I know no-one and would have to go through all the integration process again.
The idea of year-round golf is a big draw, especially at this time of year. But I couldn't say for certain that I'd use it often enough to justify it given the travel time; I like the thought of a 5-minute drive from home to the first tee, and being able to nip in after work for a quick 9 on the way home. I wouldn't be able to do that at Leven.
With the wife not working, running a dual-membership isn't impossible but it would be a significant strain on finances, and ultimately it will likely be a choice of one or the other. I don't want to jump ship and then resent the fact I have a 2-hour round trip and spend a tenner in fuel every time I want to play golf, but the deal does seem too good to miss for such a good course and the prospect of year-round play. I'm just struggling to get past the travel aspect and the feeling of being a traitor to my current club.
If you were me, what would you do?
I'm about to enter my fourth year at my current club, and it's no secret that we're a bit under the cosh financially. Our subs have gone up again due to a drop in membership, which has led to me re-evaluate.
I like my current club, I've met a lot of good people and built up a good circle of playing partners. The staff are great and the course is a joy to play in the summer, although perhaps less so in the winter as it does get very wet as most parkland courses do. I'm only 5 minutes from home to the first tee, and regularly jump in after work on the way home for 9-holes or to use the practice facilities, or even just go for a juice and a blether with the clubhouse staff.
We've also just named a new pro, and I would feel guilty of jumping ship with the club in the position it is in currently.
But the Leven deal is in my mind a belter, coming in at £425 for Country Membership as I live south of the River Forth, which isn't a kick in the backside off £200 less than our upcoming 2017/18 subscription. And it comes with £40 bar credit to boot.
The downsides is it is a 50ish-minute drive over the Forth Bridge and A92, both of which can be horrendous if caught at the wrong time, and at current prices around a tenner in fuel for a round trip. It would see a big curtailment in my playing time due to travelling. Plus I'd be leaving all my pals and pitching up at a club where I know no-one and would have to go through all the integration process again.
The idea of year-round golf is a big draw, especially at this time of year. But I couldn't say for certain that I'd use it often enough to justify it given the travel time; I like the thought of a 5-minute drive from home to the first tee, and being able to nip in after work for a quick 9 on the way home. I wouldn't be able to do that at Leven.
With the wife not working, running a dual-membership isn't impossible but it would be a significant strain on finances, and ultimately it will likely be a choice of one or the other. I don't want to jump ship and then resent the fact I have a 2-hour round trip and spend a tenner in fuel every time I want to play golf, but the deal does seem too good to miss for such a good course and the prospect of year-round play. I'm just struggling to get past the travel aspect and the feeling of being a traitor to my current club.
If you were me, what would you do?
