Membership Loyalty Fees

[Neilds]

Having been inspired by @Bdill93 and his mention of his new club, I had a nosey around their website and saw there is a loyalty discount for members who had been there for 5 years. This is something that my club is looking at introducing in the near future and wondered what other clubs offered for long serving members.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Having been inspired by @Bdill93 and his mention of his new club, I had a nosey around their website and saw there is a loyalty discount for members who had been there for 5 years. This is something that my club is looking at introducing in the near future and wondered what other clubs offered for long serving members.

I believe it’s something clubs put in place instead of a joining fee

So the first years at the club is the “loyalty rate” plus a percentage of what would be the joining fee

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Nothing until you are either there 25 years or reach 75

 

[Lord Tyrion]

This can be financially damaging for a club, they have to be careful how far they roll this out. If you have a club where turnover is low and members don't leave, some rural clubs up here have an incredibly stable membership, then you can lose chunks of money each year this way. Rewarding loyalty sounds good but stuff still has to be paid for.

I understand what @Arthur Wedge is describing and that would not have an impact as it's a tricksy way of getting a joining fee out of people without them realising. My description is more of a long term loyalty type scheme, which I have seen in action ie 20yrs continuous membership = half price fees, or more.

 

[Neilds]

This can be financially damaging for a club, they have to be careful how far they roll this out. If you have a club where turnover is low and members don't leave, some rural clubs up here have an incredibly stable membership, then you can lose chunks of money each year this way. Rewarding loyalty sounds good but stuff still has to be paid for.

I understand what @Arthur Wedge is describing and that would not have an impact as it's a tricksy way of getting a joining fee out of people without them realising. My description is more of a long term loyalty type scheme, which I have seen in action ie 20yrs continuous membership = half price fees, or more.

I think they are going more down the £100 (or so) after 5 years, similar to what a few clubs round here do. That works out at about 8-9% reduction. We have a healthy bank balance, even after a hefty spend on the course and clubhouse, nearly £1m over 4 years and also have a waiting list so doing ok at the moment.

 

[Imurg]

We pay an extra 200 a year for the first 5 years..basically a 1k joining fee spread over 5 years...

 

[Arthur Wedge]

This can be financially damaging for a club, they have to be careful how far they roll this out. If you have a club where turnover is low and members don't leave, some rural clubs up here have an incredibly stable membership, then you can lose chunks of money each year this way. Rewarding loyalty sounds good but stuff still has to be paid for.

I understand what @Arthur Wedge is describing and that would not have an impact as it's a tricksy way of getting a joining fee out of people without them realising. My description is more of a long term loyalty type scheme, which I have seen in action ie 20yrs continuous membership = half price fees, or more.

We do have some reduced fees for members that have been a member for over 35 years but also need to be over the age of 70 etc

We have reduced it down recently because you have to be careful

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Having done some digging 25 years continuous service is rewarded with life membershio but ther is a limit of 20 life memberships in place at one time

 

[arnieboy]

We have just introduced an initiative whereby those members with 20 years membership and aged 80 only have to pay last year's fees saving them about £100.

 

[jim8flog]

Many years ago we got rid of all long term membership fee reduction schemes. The biggest one to go was the Seniors scheme (from memory 20 years membership at age 65).
I think the reasoning being that this class of member was forever rising as players lived longer and they also played a lot more than most members.

 

[Starter]

Many years ago we got rid of all long term membership fee reduction schemes. The biggest one to go was the Seniors scheme (from memory 20 years membership at age 65).
I think the reasoning being that this class of member was forever rising as players lived longer and they also played a lot more than most members.

What difference does the amount played make to other members?

With regard to the OP we offer a reduction at State Retirement Age to members with at least 30 years continuous membership and a further reduction at SRA + 5 years.

As I have been a member for 43 years I am very appreciative of that arrangement.

 

[jim8flog]

What difference does the amount played make to other members?

With regard to the OP we offer a reduction at State Retirement Age to members with at least 30 years continuous membership and a further reduction at SRA + 5 years.

As I have been a member for 43 years I am very appreciative of that arrangement.

I did not make that decision and was no way involved.

Back then- the main difference to other members was seniors roll ups at the first tee time of the day most weekdays. Very hard to get a game in if you had to be in work by lunchtime and annoying if you had paid the full membership fee but could not get to play.

Now we have booked tee times so it gives everybody the same chance to get an early tee time.

The general attitude within the club now is that all members pay the same fees for the same playing rights.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Loyalty to me implies that I do something despite enticements from elsewhere that may be favorable to me and that am able too take advantage of (usually financial or convenience); or that I stick with something through difficult times despite all when things were previously so much better. In the absence of any such issues the idea of loyalty to me loses much. Have I stayed 'loyal' to my club for 21yrs or have I simply decided to take advantage of what my club offers me for 21 yrs? For me it's the latter - and I don't expect any form of thanks from the club for my period of membership, just as I wouldn't expect any wailing or gnashing of teeth were I to leave. That said - it's nice when members of the club - as opposed to the club - recognizes and values me as a long(ish) standing member.

 

[Starter]

Loyalty to me implies that I do something despite enticements from elsewhere that may be favorable to me and that am able too take advantage of (usually financial or convenience); or that I stick with something through difficult times despite all when things were previously so much better. In the absence of any such issues the idea of loyalty to me loses much. Have I stayed 'loyal' to my club for 21yrs or have I simply decided to take advantage of what my club offers me for 21 yrs? For me it's the latter - and I don't expect any form of thanks from the club for my period of membership, just as I wouldn't expect any wailing or gnashing of teeth were I to leave. That said - it's nice when members of the club - as opposed to the club - recognizes and values me as a long(ish) standing member.

21 years!

That's still a new member to me.

 

[Voyager EMH]

After 40 years continuous membership you get a discount.
I think it is 20% off.

Not completely sure this is still in practice. If it is, I've got 3 more years to go.
I shall ask tomorrow.

 

[kp17]

Can of worms for most clubs from a business standpoint

 

[Starter]

Can of worms for most clubs from a business standpoint

In what way?

There are not that many who qualify for the discount and the sad reality of life is that those who do will not have a long term of future membership.

In addition many of them become 5 or 6 day members.

For whatever reason it then enables the Club to accept more full 7 day members thereby increasing membership fee income.

 

[kp17]

In what way?

There are not that many who qualify for the discount and the sad reality of life is that those who do will not have a long term of future membership.

In addition many of them become 5 or 6 day members.

For whatever reason it then enables the Club to accept more full 7 day members thereby increasing membership fee income.

Sorry not on about 30+ year membership or anything like that, more aimed at Neilds post of £100 for 5 years, hell of a lot of clubs with maybe not as healthy bank balances that a reduction like that, although great for members, would really hit clubs in the pocket