Moving golf clubs...that is the question

[Hobbit]

I've been at my current club for nigh on 30yrs now, although at one point I did move away from the northeast I retained my membership and still visited regularly but have been back for over 5 yrs. For most of the year I've had an itch that just won't respond to treatment, i.e. I fancy trying somewhere else.

My current club...
A links course.
Open all year, i.e. the weather rarely closes it.
Greens are consistently decent, and usually reasonably fast.
Fairways, typically links and usually decent.
Bunkers... not bad but some in need of repair.
Clubhouse... not the best designed bar area, a bit disjointed. Catering, acceptable but not somewhere I'd rush to if I wasn't already at the club. Locker room, about to be revamped - currently dire!
And the biggest wrench will be lots of friends of long standing, and the ease at which I can get a game.

The next club...
The choice has been whittled down to two, both 20 miles away as opposed to 2. One is a decent links course, perhaps marginally better than where I am currently. Typical old clubhouse from the outside but reasonably smart inside. The other is a parkland course, and more modern in terms of design - approx 20yrs old. And very good facilities/clubhouse etc.

The dilemna...
The old comfy pair of slippers that satisfy a need but for which the sparkle has gone, or move on? Where to move; a copy, albeit better than I'm at, or the modern club in terms of course design and facilities?

 

[USER1999]

Stay where you are!

 

[GB72]

The 20 miles away bit would be an issue for me if I were in the same circumstances. Even moving from one that was only half that distance away to one a couple of miles away has meant that I can play more evening golf after work.

The thing that really swayed the decision to move for me was the offer of a one month membership for £50.00. It meant that I could give the course a thorough inspection and also see how I fitted in with the members and how easy it was to get a game. Without that, I suspect that the idea of moving club on my own and having to start again would have been enough to dissuade me and I would have stayed with the 'comfy slippers'.

That said, I have only been playing golf for 6-7 years and have been a member at 3 clubs in that time (1 for my first year, 4 years at my old club and 2 at my current one). I may prove myself wrong but I suspect that I would have an issue playing the same place every week for 30 years and may be looking for a change.

 

[john0]

Can I ask where the other 2 courses in question are? Im guessing Seaton and Wynyard?

 

[moogie]

Can I ask where the other 2 courses in question are? Im guessing Seaton and Wynyard?

I'm guessing......
Hartlepool
And
Wynyard
?????????????



I'd suggest you move
As purely by asking the question Bri u have probably already made up your mind

You could always go back if the grass isn't any greener........

 

[moogie]

As a footnote
I'm currently pondering / questioning (to myself) my current club membership.......
For various reasons , some political , course , condition and playability , facilities , current financial state and future plans

Currently awaiting the balance sheet and AGM before deciding for sure

I only live 5-7 mins drive away
And have met lots of people / friends in the time I've been
So lots to consider

Oh yes , and the fact my son plays there too........

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Can I ask where the other 2 courses in question are? Im guessing Seaton and Wynyard?

That's my guess as well. Stay where you are, You will only regret it. If you have played there for 30 years clearly its doing something right.

 

[Hobbit]

Can I ask where the other 2 courses in question are? Im guessing Seaton and Wynyard?

I'm guessing......
Hartlepool
And
Wynyard
?????????????



I'd suggest you move
As purely by asking the question Bri u have probably already made up your mind

You could always go back if the grass isn't any greener........

Wynyard and Seaton, with Wynyard edging it at present. HID and I went over for lunch on Tuesday, and it passed her examination for a good latte and food, and she wants to go back - shocked how comfortable she was there.

I could join but retain social membership at my old club but there is always the danger of not fully committing to the new club if I do that. Got a game tentatively arranged for next week, which will probably be the decider - think I may have already made my mind up but its a big wrench after playing almost all my adult life there...

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Wynyard and Seaton, with Wynyard edging it at present. HID and I went over for lunch on Tuesday, and it passed her examination for a good latte and food, and she wants to go back - shocked how comfortable she was there.

I could join but retain social membership at my old club but there is always the danger of not fully committing to the new club if I do that. Got a game tentatively arranged for next week, which will probably be the decider - think I may have already made my mind up but its a big wrench after playing almost all my adult life there...

What's wrong with your current club, Why are you considering moving on after 30 years.
Will Wynard live up to your expectations. Do they have plenty of comps and what else has the club got to offer different to your current club?

 

[srixon 1]

I have the same thoughts quite regularly and would love to move to a "more established" golf club. Unfortunately they are 30 miles or more away and the one I have been a member of for 25 years is 1 mile from my house and 1 mile in the other direction to my place of work. To stay put is a no brainer really, and is the grass always greener? not necessarily.

 

[williamalex1]

Why leave, when you could play in most open[senior] or h/c comps at other clubs around your area for very little money. With your service will you get a discount on your fees when you turn 65 at your present club, if so would you lose that if you left.

 

[Oddsocks]

I've been at my current club for nigh on 30yrs now, although at one point I did move away from the northeast I retained my membership and still visited regularly but have been back for over 5 yrs. For most of the year I've had an itch that just won't respond to treatment, i.e. I fancy trying somewhere else.

My current club...
A links course.
Open all year, i.e. the weather rarely closes it.
Greens are consistently decent, and usually reasonably fast.
Fairways, typically links and usually decent.
Bunkers... not bad but some in need of repair.
Clubhouse... not the best designed bar area, a bit disjointed. Catering, acceptable but not somewhere I'd rush to if I wasn't already at the club. Locker room, about to be revamped - currently dire!
And the biggest wrench will be lots of friends of long standing, and the ease at which I can get a game.

The next club...
The choice has been whittled down to two, both 20 miles away as opposed to 2. One is a decent links course, perhaps marginally better than where I am currently. Typical old clubhouse from the outside but reasonably smart inside. The other is a parkland course, and more modern in terms of design - approx 20yrs old. And very good facilities/clubhouse etc.

The dilemna...
The old comfy pair of slippers that satisfy a need but for which the sparkle has gone, or move on? Where to move; a copy, albeit better than I'm at, or the modern club in terms of course design and facilities?

I'd be staying put, nothing jumps out as a big enough gain to move

 

[MadAdey]

Tough one really. When I get stuck in these type of decisions where I do not know which way to go I just evaluate it by writing the positives and negatives down for both. I find when it is on paper in front of you then sometimes the decision can be made up for you.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My gut reaction is to stay. Every seems to be in place to give you an enjoyable experience

 

[Blue in Munich]

My instinct would be to stay, purely for the convenience of the journey; how often will you use a course 20 miles away for a quick 9 on the way home? Do either of the options justify the potential travel issues? And if I was fortunate enough to be at a links course, I certainly wouldn't be moving to a parkland course.

 

[richart]

I think the course would need to be considerably better for me to move, and to justify the drive of 20 miles. I would also only consider the links course, bearing in mind the very wet weather we have been getting.

Being a sociable chap Brian, I am sure you would have no problems making new mates if you did move though.

 

[davidy233]

You don't say in original post if you can walk to your current club - if you can then stay - if you are getting in a car then decision isn't as clear cut

 

[Hobbit]

You don't say in original post if you can walk to your current club - if you can then stay - if you are getting in a car then decision isn't as clear cut

2.7 miles, 10 mins across town , as opposed to 21 miles and 25 mins - virtually all dual carriageway. And I pass the place twice a week.

 

[MGL]

Wynyard and Seaton, with Wynyard edging it at present. HID and I went over for lunch on Tuesday, and it passed her examination for a good latte and food, and she wants to go back - shocked how comfortable she was there.

I could join but retain social membership at my old club but there is always the danger of not fully committing to the new club if I do that. Got a game tentatively arranged for next week, which will probably be the decider - think I may have already made my mind up but its a big wrench after playing almost all my adult life there...

Stay!

 

[Liverbirdie]

2.7 miles, 10 mins across town , as opposed to 21 miles and 25 mins - virtually all dual carriageway. And I pass the place twice a week.

Which serves the best Guinness?

Decision made.:thup: