New club membership for March?

[Gazboy]

Hello, although March 31st is still some way off, I'd like to start looking for a new club now so we have plenty of time to visit any courses. We are based between Beaconsfield & High Wycombe so although there are loads of clubs around here the majority are just prohibitively expensive or require secondments and some have handicap restrictions and outrageous entry fees so the choice for around £1000 or under is quite limited. We are currently members of Chartridge Park near Chesham but the 14 mile journey is an absolute grind and adds 1.5 hours to a round. Google might say it is a 30 minute journey, but I've only done it that quickly at 7am on a Sunday morning, it can easily take an hour.

In summary, are there any hidden gems within a realistic 20 minute drive of J3 of the M40?

I know some will already be thinking about Wycombe Heights, but, it is too busy in the summer to be enjoyable or even tollerable, in four years I can count on one hand how many rounds we've had at a fair/reasonable pace. On the upside it is 5 minutes down the road, it has a great par 3 & practice facilities. £930 is just too much for that course, although judging by how busy the place is, many would disagree.

Flackwell Heath- lovely course, £1173 though. I honestly don't think we are good enough to make it through the induction process. I love how quiet the place is, it really does feel like you've hired the entire course just for your party.

Wexham- I just don't like the course enough to play there all the time.
Bird Hills- pig of a journey, nice course for the occasional visit but as a home course?
Oakland Park - nice course, journey isn't too bad but I just cannot bring myself to spend £1230 there. If they do any special offers after New Year then it'd be a consideration.
Hazelemere - as friendly as a rattlesnake.
Harewood Downs - handicap restriction (possibly need to be nominated?)
Huntswood - £755 and a real consideration, but it's only £10 to play on Mondays, is it worth being a non-competitive member?
Beaconsfield- Full, probably couldn't afford it in my wildest dreams anyway.

Is there anything obvious that I have missed or anything hidden and just waiting to be found?


Thank you

 

[Deleted member 15344]

What about Temple GC or is that too far away

 

[Gazboy]

Temple requires an active handicap of 24 (I've broken 100 twice in four years) and preferably would like new members to be nominated & seconded, or a letter of recommendation from an existing club, or a 'playing in' round. I'm simply not good enough to be a member. I'm sure it is lovely though. I also suspect that if they can be that choosy then business is thriving and they can charge a hefty fee. My playing partner is a recently retired builder with a modest pension, so while I may struggle to justify four figure sums, for him £1200+ is out of the question- good suggestion though

 

[Crazyface]

"Hazlemere Golf Club is a private Members' Club with a well deserved reputation for being 'the friendly club'.
We have always been an 'Equal Status Club' and have also signed up to the England Golf Equity and Equal Opportunities Policy. All categories of members are welcome; Ladies, Men, Young Adults and Juniors and all new members are made to feel welcome from day one. We have qualifying and non-qualifying competitions, matches against other clubs and many roll up groups you could join so you won't be a new member for long. The categories of membership are designed to accommodate all levels of golfers, from beginners to scratch players with a smooth progression from Junior to Full Adult Membership."

Hazelmere seem to think they are a friendly place. With all their membership offers on offer they might be a bit more friendly than the last time you visited. Although with Wycombe at £930 why not pay the extra 200 and go to Flackwell if it's that good. Surely worth the extra £200 if the course is so good and empty, and also NEARBY SAVING IN PETROL AND YOUR TIME !!!!!!!

 

[Waitforme]

Sorry can't help with your course choice but it has made me realise how lucky we are on the west coast of Scotland both for course choices and prices !!

 

[big_eck]

Sorry can't help with your course choice but it has made me realise how lucky we are on the west coast of Scotland both for course choices and prices !!

was thinking the same in the north east of scotland! the dearest club i have looked at for next season is £600 cheapest at £400 so it is really down to preferance over a links or a parkland course now still have no idea away back to newburgh today to try have a good round to keep me there

 

[mattdeeks]

What about Hedsor?