Looking for a Club - Am I too fussy?

R

rmcin626

Medal Winner
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
33
Visit site
Having taken up golf a bit late, in my fifties. I wonder if I am being unrealistic with my expectations, have taken lessons and joined a local Club here in Inverclyde, I have found the search for the right Club quite hard.
I thought I was not looking for too much, reasonable fees - nothing too daft, well maintained course open most of the year and what has turned out to the big stumbling block - practice facilities.
Following a bit of rest due an elbow injury, I am keen to start playing again even though I'm not very good yet I would like to find somewhere that has a range or practice area as at my age jumping out the car and going straight to the 1st tee just doesn't work.
There are lots of courses in the area but very few tick all the boxes why is it so hard to find somewhere suitable or should I just accept I have to drive for 45 - 60 minutes to find my ideal Club?
 
Welcome along & enjoy all the forum has to offer .. i think if your "ideal" club is 45-60 mins away & you can afford the travel & the time then thats where you should join , you are not going to be happy if the club you join doesnt have the facilities you want ..

But if the thoughts of 6 hours at least (travel & round) for a game of golf doesnt appeal to you . you are going to have to forefit something on your ideal list ..


I much prefer the course at my old club (45-50 min drive) but the local club (7-10 min) is much handier for playing 9 holes or a knock after work etc .. the local club was way too expensive up til 3 year ago & that was my reason for choosing my old club origionaly ..

Hope this is of some help .. again welcome & enjoy

Bill
 
Welcome to the forum. Sounds a little frustrating, you cant move more than a few miles without finding a golf club where I am. I am sure someone local to you will pop in soon and give you a recommendation.

You do get what you pay for but I don't think you are asking too much.
 
One of the problems with Scottish golf is that there are many courses but very few have a decent practice area.

Dundonald springs to mind but that would be a bit pricey.
Can you not use the Inverclyde practice facilities and play at Largs?
 
Having been using the practice facilities at Inverclyde last couple of years and have been thinking of joining Largs
But would like to have a one stop solution .
 
just the thought of having to travel for an hour to get to a club just sounds to much,and unless you don't work will probably stop you going as often as you would like,lets face it say 2 hours travel,4 hours golf 1 hour practise 1 hour for drinks etc that is 8 hours every time you play,i would settle for the nearest club and lets face it they must have a net to loosen up in.
 
Always a difficult one finding the right club. I am lucky that I have a well maintained course, that is interesting to play that stops the boredom setting in and has excellent practice facilities. There are better clubs that I could join in the area like Woodhall Spa, but having to make a 50 min journey everytime I want to play golf is too far. I like getting in my car and being at the club in 10 mins far more appealing. Think about what is most important to you...
 
I took up golf last year aged 51.
No you are not being too fussy, as a new golfer you will definitely need an area to practice, I am lucky in that my club is just 10 mins up the road, has 2x large separate practice areas, but no dedicated driving range as such, although I do have driving ranges in my area separate from the golf club.
 
I understand your frustration, I used to be a member at Gourock. Nice track, no practice area. I think it's pretty much the same at Greenock? Not sure about Largs or Port Glasgow. What about the new course that's opened up near Erskine, can't remember the name of it but as it is brand new I would expect they have built some sort of practice ground?

Good luck in your search.
 
living 50mins drive away from my course would drive me insane! too much time to stew if i played really badly. plus id never make any agreed tee times with my buds. i am 5 mins in the car away and usually running up to the first. poor showing i know but im just too laid back.
 
I don't think you are being fussy. It is a big (ish) outlay each year to join a club and so it has to be right for you. I guess you need to draw up a list of what you want in prioirty order and then see what tick the most boxes either locally or further afield and then decide from there. It might be worth contacting the ones you shortlist for a nose around and see if you can play the course (at least nine holes) and see if your trip adds or detracts from your list of priorities
 
Thanks for the replies, it is difficult when you are still working, if you have to travel to play a few holes. I will keep
Looking and will hopefully find somewhere that ticks most of the boxes.
 
drive4show said:
I understand your frustration, I used to be a member at Gourock. Nice track, no practice area. I think it's pretty much the same at Greenock? Not sure about Largs or Port Glasgow. What about the new course that's opened up near Erskine, can't remember the name of it but as it is brand new I would expect they have built some sort of practice ground?

Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...

Have played Gourock a couple of times and I was a member at Greenock , not played Port Glasgow have played
Largs several times and like the course only problem is the lack of practice area apart from a couple of nets. Not
played Mar Hall and the last time I looked the fees were well over a grand.
 
What about Gleddoch, have they got all the facilities you are looking for??
 
I have just started a thread not far off yours, I played at Gleddoch last night and thought it was a great course with plenty of hazards. Just felt that the front nine was in need of attention, the greens were in a right state.

Im considering joining but keeping my options open at the moment.

Cheers
 
Most courses around here only offer a putting area and practice range, some with 1 hole (kilmacolm, ranfurly castle).
Gleddoch has 4 pactice holes, very small putting area and a range.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
23.4 how bad am I?
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
Imurg
Imurg
C
Mid-Cheshire Clubs
Replies
5
Views
301
Captain_Obvious
C
C
Surrey Golf Course Membership
2 3
Replies
50
Views
3K
Doon frae Troon
D
B
Membership Quandary
Replies
13
Views
854
Golf is fun
G
Orikoru
2026 Targets
2 3
Replies
55
Views
2K
jamielaing
jamielaing
Top