shane3003
Newbie
That makes sense and I’m probably that guy, thanks for the explanation.
Membership cost increase
- Thread starter Genu9
- Start date
That makes sense and I’m probably that guy, thanks for the explanation.
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Our joining fee is £1200 plus £1200 green fee.
So it’s very expensive outlay.
It’s a sort of ransom to ensure loyalty.
But certain category’s don’t pay it ,under 30 males or females so the club must only expect loyalty from Men over 30 yrs of age.
Imo it’s a by product of days when clubs only wanted affluent members.
They charge it because they can and get it most of the time.
D
Deleted member 25575
Guest
It’s pretty much to help clubs retain members and make the most out of people in the good times. When golf in on a downward trajectory joining fees are less frequent (though plenty of places have them regardless), when times are good they are more frequent.
I hate the idea of paying them too as like you prone to move so very reluctant to pay them. It just means certain clubs are out of my options list.
The money I believe goes into the club to be used for improvements or whatnot
I hate the idea of paying them too as like you prone to move so very reluctant to pay them. It just means certain clubs are out of my options list.
The money I believe goes into the club to be used for improvements or whatnot
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Ours is done in a way that, if you do leave early, you're not penalised too severely.
For the first 5 years of membership we pay an extra £200 a year, effectively as a joining fee.
If you leave after a year you're only 200 quid down as opposed to the 1000 that it could have been.
After 5 years subs reduces to the Members Loyalty Rate - £200 quid cheaper.....
For the first 5 years of membership we pay an extra £200 a year, effectively as a joining fee.
If you leave after a year you're only 200 quid down as opposed to the 1000 that it could have been.
After 5 years subs reduces to the Members Loyalty Rate - £200 quid cheaper.....
D-S
Well-known member
I certainly wouldn’t pay a joining fee for a proprietary run for profit club where my money might be simply taken by the owner or used to improve/run other clubs in the group.
However a member’s club where all fees are used solely for the running and improvement of the club and where the vast majority of previous and current members have like wise contributed is a different matter.
However a member’s club where all fees are used solely for the running and improvement of the club and where the vast majority of previous and current members have like wise contributed is a different matter.
HPIMG
Active member
Last year when I joined my first club I payed the joining fee and decided after one year I really didn’t like the club so left. Joined a new club and another joining fee but I do really enjoy the new club a lot better.
I am guessing clubs have never had a option if you didn’t like the club, you get the joining fee back if you decide to leave in the first year ?
I am guessing clubs have never had a option if you didn’t like the club, you get the joining fee back if you decide to leave in the first year ?
doublebogey7
Head Pro
Looking at two of the better clubs in that area, one charges a joining fee the other doesn't. The one that doesn't charges a significantly higher annual fee and you would recoup your money inside around two years by joining the club that does charge a joining fee. In my view, the one charging the joining fee has the better golf course.
Last edited:
Captain_Black.
Well-known member
I don't agree with joining fees at all.
It's a discriminatory practice from a bye gone age akin to formal interviews & a pre joining round with the Captain & Chairman.
Golf clubs should modernise, the industry needs new players coming along who will enjoy golf as a leisure pursuit like any other hobby or pass time, the majority aren't interested in joining a stuffy old man's club with rules dating from the last century.
On the subject of annual fees, it's really down to where you live & how much you are prepared to part with against how often you play.
Our fees have gone up by 7%
So now in the region of £1200.00 (South West UK) Inc £50.00 bar levy.
If I was working Mon - Fri & only playing on a W/end & the odd summer evening, I'd do a flexible membership.
But as I'm retired now, I get full use out of my 7 day membership & my golf rounds work out at around £5.50 per round
It's a discriminatory practice from a bye gone age akin to formal interviews & a pre joining round with the Captain & Chairman.
Golf clubs should modernise, the industry needs new players coming along who will enjoy golf as a leisure pursuit like any other hobby or pass time, the majority aren't interested in joining a stuffy old man's club with rules dating from the last century.
On the subject of annual fees, it's really down to where you live & how much you are prepared to part with against how often you play.
Our fees have gone up by 7%
So now in the region of £1200.00 (South West UK) Inc £50.00 bar levy.
If I was working Mon - Fri & only playing on a W/end & the odd summer evening, I'd do a flexible membership.
But as I'm retired now, I get full use out of my 7 day membership & my golf rounds work out at around £5.50 per round
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
In a way it is a discriminatory thing..it bumps up the costs to a point that may be out of reach for some.
But........
Having a joining fee encourages those who do join to stay.
A member who pays his subs, stays a year and leaves to find the next cut price deal is a PITA to a club.
They need to recruit 2 new members to move forward.
The joining fee means members are less likely to leave after a year or 2
It's easier for the club to budget.
I get your point though and, if I'm honest, I've never been a fan of them either.
D-S
Well-known member
If all current and previous (for over a hundred years) members have paid them how is it discriminatory? Surely scrapping them would be discriminatory against existing members?
IanM
Journeyman Pro
- Joined
- May 18, 2009
- Messages
- 13,439
- Location
- Monmouthshire, UK via Guildford!
.....is what our Board say in response to that question! Everyone here has paid it. Also stops membership churn.
Joining fees are dead easy to avoid.
Captain_Black.
Well-known member
That's exactly the problem I describe.
Clubs stuck in the past & not moving with the times.
Society changes & ideas change all the time, hopefully for the better (although not always I'll admit)
You could say the same about fairness when the Gov keep moving on the state retirement age, that it is discriminatory, but that doesn't stop it happening.
I'm sure there are loads of othe examples of rules & accepted practices changing, but sometimes they have to change for the better.
I get that clubs want to retain their members, which should encourage the club to be the best it can & offer the members a great golfing experience, the majority will then be satisfied to stay at their current club especially in an area like mine where the price differential between clubs is negligible.
To me, those clubs who are charging a joining fee are insecure about the quality they are offering & are wary of members leaving for a club that is offering something better.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
The joining fees paid over the last 3 years helped us provide a fairway irrigation system - anyone joining knows there is one but it’s structured over a 5 year period and the level of joining fee depends on your age -
As with anything people have a choice , there are always clubs around that don’t charge a joining fee but in our area their yearly fees will be higher or the quality of the golf courses will be lower
As with anything people have a choice , there are always clubs around that don’t charge a joining fee but in our area their yearly fees will be higher or the quality of the golf courses will be lower
D-S
Well-known member
Generally it is the case that the clubs with a better offer charge joining fees.
shane3003
Newbie
I think I’m going to try and play a round at a few and see which one I enjoy more, then look at the costs side etc. There is a strong chance I won’t be staying in the area so have to give that some thought with the joining fee etc.
D
Deleted member 23270
Guest
Try finding a top 100 club that doesn't have a joining fee.
Mandofred
Well-known member
Very likely true, but then again I'm the kind of person who wouldn't be comfortable at a top 100 club. Never been to one.....so maybe they are all laid-back easy going places and I have it wrong.
Think I've mentioned it before, but I think only one course within 10 miles of Harrogate area has a joining fee. Down South however......
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Very likely true, but then again I'm the kind of person who wouldn't be comfortable at a top 100 club. Never been to one.....so maybe they are all laid-back easy going places and I have it wrong.
Think I've mentioned it before, but I think only one course within 10 miles of Harrogate area has a joining fee. Down South however......
Why would a top 100 club be any different in how they make people feel ? Been comfortable at any top 100 club I have visited - always make you feel like you’re a member for the day which is how every club should work towards visitors
Mandofred
Well-known member
I've always envisioned the top clubs to be pickier about standards, not about whether they are nice or not.......am I wrong (easily could be I guess)? If the clubs around here had the same rules as they had 20+ years ago (no sport shoes in the clubhouse, no shoe changing in parking lot etc etc) I'd have stopped playing golf.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
I guess if where you can change your shoes and being able to wear trainers is key to your enjoyment of the sport then there will be lots of clubs top 100 or not that won’t be to your liking but I don’t know really know what clubs can allow you to change in the car park as I always change in the changing room where I can get a wash etc
