Looking for Membership at a sensible price in surrey (Woking)

[Shooter McPowick]

Looking for a friendly club in the Woking area that's not ridiculously expensive. I used to play a lot, got down to a 14 handicap but life got busy and I didn't have the time.

My son (9) is golf mad all of a sudden and thought a place that do junior memberships too would be ideal. I've enquired at Chobham as I live on their doorstep but nobody is returning my calls or emails - a quick google suggests it's not the friendliest of places but that could be all hearsay.

Currently learning the ropes again down at top golf in addlestone.

Any suggestions from people in the area would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Looking for a friendly club in the Woking area that's not ridiculously expensive. I used to play a lot, got down to a 14 handicap but life got busy and I didn't have the time.

My son (9) is golf mad all of a sudden and thought a place that do junior memberships too would be ideal. I've enquired at Chobham as I live on their doorstep but nobody is returning my calls or emails - a quick google suggests it's not the friendliest of places but that could be all hearsay.

Currently learning the ropes again down at top golf in addlestone.

Any suggestions from people in the area would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome along. I've heard the same rumours about Chobham being cliquey. Why not look at Hoebridge although it can be horrendously busy and slow in the summer. Same with Silvermere. Pyrford isn't too far away and worth a look. There's Traditions down the road from there but that gets very wet in winter

 

[Foxholer]

Cost is all relative, but Sutton Green for 'Club' setup and Silvermere or Hoebridge for busy 'non-Club' club setup that have range (and short course(s) that might be a better start for Junior.

Quite a few others about too, though not certain of arrangements for juniors.

Get the phone working! But Hoebridge might well be the best/ way to start before committing serious funds!

 

[diesel75]

Looking for a friendly club in the Woking area that's not ridiculously expensive. I used to play a lot, got down to a 14 handicap but life got busy and I didn't have the time.

My son (9) is golf mad all of a sudden and thought a place that do junior memberships too would be ideal. I've enquired at Chobham as I live on their doorstep but nobody is returning my calls or emails - a quick google suggests it's not the friendliest of places but that could be all hearsay.

Currently learning the ropes again down at top golf in addlestone.

Any suggestions from people in the area would be greatly appreciated.

Hi There - I live in Woking and I am a member of Hoebridge. Whilst I haven't played in any comps for well over a year, the membership system works out at good value, in case you don't play much like I am currently! In my experience everyone seems pretty friendly! The main course does get busy on a weekend, but if you play in the morning in the comps you won't have a problem. The course never has temps, and given the traffic they have, holds up very well. The driving range is excellent and there is a short game area. Both my boys age 7&11 have group lessons on the Saturday and they do have junior comps on the par 3 course once a month. Both my boys love it and have improved massively.

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, really appreciate it.

I think ill have a wonder over to hoebridge tomorrow. I have played there many years ago and agree, pretty decent for the traffic it sees.

Ive got to look into some new clubs too, just calculated that mine are officially vintage at 27 years old. Amazed the shafts haven't corroded.

 

[Mike07]

Hi, what is a sensible cost?

I was a member at west Byfleet and foxhills in the past. Can recommend both

 

[Shooter McPowick]

West byfleet is around the £4K mark including joining fee isn't it? That's more than I'd like to pay at this point.

The reason I was drawn in by Chobham was they have dropped their joining fees at the moment so makes it tempting at £1500 a year and I can walk from home to the course.

 

[Pathetic Shark]

I've played Chobham a lot over the years and although the course is nothing special, I agree with the posts about the atmosphere there. I have never felt comfortable or welcomed at any time on the course or in the clubhouse and I know I am not alone in that view. Gut instinct might not tell you if something is right but it sure as hell tells you if something is wrong.

Pyrford is part of the Crown set up so you get all their other courses thrown in. Traditions is now independent of Crown. Foxhills is very expensive for what you get and Silvermere is packed to the rafters day and night.

If you have kids, then Hoebridge is going to be best but they do have an attitude of "let's see how much we can get out of you" at every moment.

 

[Shooter McPowick]

I've played Chobham a lot over the years and although the course is nothing special, I agree with the posts about the atmosphere there. I have never felt comfortable or welcomed at any time on the course or in the clubhouse and I know I am not alone in that view. Gut instinct might not tell you if something is right but it sure as hell tells you if something is wrong.

Pyrford is part of the Crown set up so you get all their other courses thrown in. Traditions is now independent of Crown. Foxhills is very expensive for what you get and Silvermere is packed to the rafters day and night.

If you have kids, then Hoebridge is going to be best but they do have an attitude of "let's see how much we can get out of you" at every moment.

thanks Shark!

Ill see if Chobham ever get back to me but looks like I'll try and strike a deal over at hoebridge.

 

[irip]

Have you considered looking at becoming an artisan at one of the local clubs?

It certainly does not suit everyone but you can play decent courses for much cheaper rates

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Have you considered looking at becoming an artisan at one of the local clubs?

It certainly does not suit everyone but you can play decent courses for much cheaper rates

I'd love to be an artisan member but I believe it's not as popular as it used to be?

Do you know of any looking for artisans?

 

[irip]

I'd love to be an artisan member but I believe it's not as popular as it used to be?

Do you know of any looking for artisans?

Yes i am an artisan member at burwood artisans (burhill golf club) we are currently looking for members.

In fact we have 8 people coming for interviews this wednesday.

If that does not appeal you could try any of:

St georges hill
woking
west hill
worplesdon
sunningdale
new zealand

They all have artisans and are reasonably close to you. just look up who the secratary is and give them a call.

If you have any more questions just ask

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Yes i am an artisan member at burwood artisans (burhill golf club) we are currently looking for members.

In fact we have 8 people coming for interviews this wednesday.

If that does not appeal you could try any of:

St georges hill
woking
west hill
worplesdon
sunningdale
new zealand

They all have artisans and are reasonably close to you. just look up who the secratary is and give them a call.

If you have any more questions just ask

Hmmm, Burhill isn't very far away....

What's the deal with juniors there? Are they welcome?

 

[Shooter McPowick]

As far as clubs are concerned I'm sorted. I wasn't intentionally shopping for a set of irons but had a full custom fitting done and was mightily impressed. Spent nearly 2 hours trying and testing everything, I tip my hat to the chap helping me for his patience.

I've been playing with a 25 year old set of Spalding excellence, so old Google doesn't even know what they are. I think an upgrade was due.

Anyway, roll on a couple of weeks when I can go and pick them up

 

[road2ruin]

I'm likely to be in this situation next year. I'm keen to go for a members club and with my budget either W Byfleet or Surbiton will be of interest

 

[Senseicads]

Hi

I am a member at Merrist Wood. It's a really decent course, although quite long. It's taken a bit of a hammering over the winter with the rain but we managed to play every weekend and it didn't close. I pay around £1300 for my membership per year. The people down here are really nice. There are some very challenging holes, some around water with a few greens guarded by big lakes. If you'd like I can ask about getting you a trial round so you can have a go round...happy to come with also if you'd like? The advantage of our place is that as it's a crown golf course you also get to play at a load of other courses that are in the crown group. We played pine ridge last week which was also fun!

Also there is a special offer on at the moment so that if I introduce someone we both get one of those yardage watch type things! so my motives aren't totally altruistic!

Anyway feel free to pm me with any questions you have.

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Nice one Senseicads, thanks for your reply. I can't believe how many clubs there are in this area. Chobham have come back to me and I'm going tomorrow for a tour but I won't be committing to anything. I'll have a look around the merrist wood website this evening but I may just take you up on that offer. I'll keep you posted 👍🏻

 

[Blue in Munich]

I'm likely to be in this situation next year. I'm keen to go for a members club and with my budget either W Byfleet or Surbiton will be of interest

Fair distance between those two; why between the two if I might make so bold? the one time I've played at Surbiton I found them a very friendly bunch, more so than west Byfleet but that's not to say that West Byfleet, weren't friendly, maybe just a touch more reserved. Of the two courses I'd rate West Byfleet the better test and the better looking.

 

[Oddsocks]

Welcome along. I've heard the same rumours about Chobham being cliquey. Why not look at Hoebridge although it can be horrendously busy and slow in the summer. Same with Silvermere. Pyrford isn't too far away and worth a look. There's Traditions down the road from there but that gets very wet in winter

I liked pyrford - should get back there really. Plus that little pub in the loch does a superb steak and kidney pudding

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Hi

I am a member at Merrist Wood. It's a really decent course, although quite long. It's taken a bit of a hammering over the winter with the rain but we managed to play every weekend and it didn't close. I pay around £1300 for my membership per year. The people down here are really nice. There are some very challenging holes, some around water with a few greens guarded by big lakes. If you'd like I can ask about getting you a trial round so you can have a go round...happy to come with also if you'd like? The advantage of our place is that as it's a crown golf course you also get to play at a load of other courses that are in the crown group. We played pine ridge last week which was also fun!

Also there is a special offer on at the moment so that if I introduce someone we both get one of those yardage watch type things! so my motives aren't totally altruistic!

Anyway feel free to pm me with any questions you have.

OK mate, sign me up! If the course is as good in reality as the website and photos suggest it looks to be great! I'm going to head down tomorrow for a wonder around and maybe hit a bucket of balls. Members get free range balls... Is there a limit to this? That's a great offer!

The only thing that's swaying me towards Chobham is they have dropped their joining fees...