member or non member ?

[quinn]

heard this strange comment the other day " im not renewing my membership next year as i want to play different courses and feel like im tied to the course if im a member " can kind of see what he means, but i know he,s going to be playing at least once a week and prob twice in the summer, gonna end up spending alot more on green fee,s than probably what his membership will cost, wont have a handicap so wont be able to play in comps, but i know he plays in matches against other clubs so its not as if he doesnt play other courses, anyone think the same about being tied to the course by being a member ??? its a friend and not me, honestly

 

[fundy]

Were very fortunate, we have reciprocal deals with 17 courses now that I can go and play as a member for free, so if ever get to the bored point (and I do occasionally) then the opportunity is there

I'm someone who does get bored playing the same course all the time, but there are plenty of other ways to play other courses, without giving up membership and the benefits it brings

 

[quinn]

thats what ive been telling him, were looking at joining the forest of arden again next year,you can play all the other marriot courses, like you said if you get bored of the same course try another one, think de vere do one too, but the nearest course is staverton, bit too far

 

[Essex_Stu]

I hated the whole not being a member thing. I was always going to join my current course but wanted to try out several other courses as well. I had no intention of joining until next year but hated going to different courses in the end. Green fee costs were anywhere between £25-£55, tee off times were always mid afternoon on Saturdays and hated the whole not knowing people thing. Also hated not having a handicap and not being able to enter comps. Theres nothing like being able to call somewhere home

 

[stevie_r]

I can see the point for both schools of thought - I enjoy the cost benefits of being a member and the flexibility to pretty much play as much (in terms of number of holes)and when I want.

For me the ideal solution is club membership with the odd break away for a few days and playing a few courses from one base. Some pretty good hotel/ guest house deals out there, especially if you have the flexibility to be able to take advantage midweek.

Both Dumfries and Galloway, and the Isle of Arran have great golf pass deals. Arran is about £105 for a round on each of the seven courses - 5 x 18 hole, 1 x 12, 2 x 9.

 

[andycap]

I gave up my membership this year , reluctantly because i did like the course .
One reason was, that i joined on my own and never got out enough with members that could sign my card, which would of given me a h/cap and eligibility to comps.
But although i feel that i play golf most weeks , when i actually broke it down , it was not good value . Example: Last 2 yrs , at least 2mths snow ,frost etc , course closed or very unappealing . Add to that weekends that i had other commitments , holiday , bad weather , could easily be anther 6-8 weekends . Thats potentially up to 4 months no golf , and dividing my membership fees by 8 months was just too expensive.
So i've gone back to pay and play with my old crowd and do enjoy the variety of courses , i get the odd time when we are stuck behind numpties , but that can happen anywhere

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My club has some recipricals if we fancy a day out somewhere but the thing I like the most is that it isn't pre-booked times so if I fancy rolling up for nine holes after work I can go straight out. I can see the other side of the coin and that there is some merit in playing different courses on a regular basis which with weekend green fees probably equates to roughly the same as a years membership anyway but I like the competitions/club matches and have a great roll up I'm in at weekends so happy (for the moment) to stay put

 

[fundy]

thats what ive been telling him, were looking at joining the forest of arden again next year,you can play all the other marriot courses, like you said if you get bored of the same course try another one, think de vere do one too, but the nearest course is staverton, bit too far

staverton was the course we played recently (nice track, shame it gets too much traffic)

as for Forest of Arden, if you're short a guest for invitation day ....

 

[quinn]

no probs, working on making joining sound benficial to the mrs ( theyv,e got a lovely spa should do it ), failing that a holiday brochure can get you on whenever you want £60 on the arden, £25 for the ayelsford, play with a member there who can get us on. if you fancy it

 

[ademac]

I've only been a member since last october but already miss not playing different courses every week!
For the money I pay tho I can't complain!
I am looking into joining a new club next year which has 3 top courses which should keep me interested!
Cost is a bit more but still cheap than just being a pay and player and with all the benefits of being a member at a top club.

 

[Oxfordcomma]

I've only been a member since last october but already miss not playing different courses every week!
For the money I pay tho I can't complain!
I am looking into joining a new club next year which has 3 top courses which should keep me interested!
Cost is a bit more but still cheap than just being a pay and player and with all the benefits of being a member at a top club.

Hehe. Ademac, I play at Drayton as well and if I've guessed the club you're talking about correctly as the one closest to Abingdon with 3 top courses then I'd call the extra costs a lot more than just a bit!

Going back to the original question, I joined the same club as ademac for the first time this year but as a flex member, and I love the freedom that gives me. Paid a small up-front membership fee, then get a reduced green fee for every round, and I get to have handicap plus enter the comps. You get the initial membership fee back in savings pretty quickly if you play regularly.

But, when I go off to other courses with friends, I don't feel as if I'm especially tied, which I think I would a bit more if I was paying a full membership. Went round with a (full member) friend and a guest last week and the guest said exactly the same as the OP - he loves the course, plays there most weeks, but wants to play elsewhere as well so doesn't join.

Thinking about it now for the first time, I reckon if our club had reciprocal arrangements with a few other clubs locally, I'd be a full member straight away.

 

[ademac]

The club is frilford heath as I'm sure you've guessed.
Next year to join drayton will cost me around£900, to join frilford will cost me £1085 as I am 28 so the joining fee is not applcable yet.
An extra £185 for two extra courses is tidy deal if you ask me, and no pylons!!

 

[Oxfordcomma]

I think I've just gone right off you!

At my age (bit more than 28) it would cost me about £3k more including joining fee. If I could get Frilford membership at your price I'd be joining you, go for it!

 

[Macster]

Ive been a Member of my Club for 22yrs, and simply never tire of playing it.

But then, when I DO play other courses, there arent many that I come away from that I enjoy as much.

Just been out tonight for 14 holes, no-one around,......completely Milllionaires Golf,.......and that,.....in anyones' book, is well worth £850/yr.

 

[ademac]

Haha! Its a no-brainer really isnt it? The joining fee is applicable when I turn 30 but can be spread over 5 years. It would still be a bit pricey for me tbh but I think I will try and join for the next 2 years then see where I am financially, hopefully my business will keep growing at the current rate!!
I just need to find myself a proposer but dont think I will have too many problems.
Btw if you ever fancy a midweek knock round drayton give me a shout!

 

[RGDave]

thats what ive been telling him, were looking at joining the forest of arden again next year,

Are you already members?

 

[Oddsocks]

Quinn like your friend I really enjoy playing other courses, for this reason I joined a swindle group at my local muni. For £60.00 a year I still get up to 32 comps, some of which are inter club matches, a congu handicap and with a smart card which costs £25.00 for the year a reduced green fee price of £24.00 on Sunday's. now to be fair its a great deal, low financial commitment, and you only get charged when you play, but the down side is if you start playing regular on this sort of system your fee's soon tot up to big numbers. Ive played loads with the group this year averaging 3 games a month, which is £72.00, multiply that by 12 months, £864 not including any twilight games, or games played at other courses.

Being a flexi member as it were does have its bonuses, but also it does cost a fair wack too. i do want to join a full on members course, but im waiting to find one that has good recipricals deal with some other good courses. The only downside is i've met some fantastic mates at this club and im going to miss the banter we have within the group of 50 of us when i do eventually leave.

 

[DCB]

As a member of a club, that's where I play 85% of my golf. I play with friends, play in competitions and generally feel I 'belong' at the club. I've been a member there for over 25 years. I play several away courses each year, either with mates on our annual weekend, or on Forum Meets etc.

Given the choice, I'd still choose to be a member at a club rather than an itinerant golfer. There's more to it than just playing on the course IMO.

 

[DCB]

Oddsocks,

Does the local council / sports trust not do a season ticket ? Instead of paying a reduced green fee each time.

Ours does and it's £385 for the year for all the courses they run. better value if you're playing a lot of golf.

 

[Oddsocks]

it doesnt at moment. the course is leased from the council by crown golf who are a money grabbing bunch of tosspots in my eyes. They will not offer any sort of season discount other than the smart card which is £3.00 off greenfee's at weekends. The problem is their set up rewards casual P&P golfers, but true members who are there week in week out, spend money in the shop/bar get robbed. if i play once a week without any other costs its £1333 a season, no discounts available. Barstewards!