New here, eager to get some info about UK golf

[dejf]

Hello everyone ,

after a short Google-ing I have joined this forum as it seems this one is alive with plenty of members.

So, I am new here, on this very forum. But I am new not only here, but also in UK. What I am not new to is golf - I will play my 10th season this year. I have moved to UK just a couple of weeks ago from CR. I would like to learn more about "how do you golf in UK". I believe golf in CR is very specific and some things might be different to golf in UK. I would like to learn about these differences to be able to golf smoothly here. I am currently in Bracknell, but will likely to move closer to London, possibly little to the North. So all my questions are related to this area only.

I will try to describe how we golf in CR and would be very glad if you could tell me what is same and what is different. Thanks a lot!


#1 - Membership and money
In CR playing golf is expensive if you do not know how to do it cheaply. If you just go to the course and pay for your round, it is (relatively to the avg. income of people in CR) kind of expensive. So, what you can do is go a club and buy membership. This way you can get either a discount for each round or an unlimited golf for 1 year (in fact it is usually limited to 18 holes per day). That way you can reduce your avg. cost of your single round to quite reasonable price, but only in some clubs. Many clubs do not offer cheap 1 year membership and you would need either to pay a very high fee to get in and be able to get your 1 year playing card for a reasonable price. Also, this way you could only play on one course and possibly get discount to couple of other courses that have established a partnership with the one connected to your club. Although the cost might be reasonable here in some cases, it is still usually not the best possible way.

The best possible way to play golf in CR is using so called "virtual clubs". These are clubs that are not associated/connected with any particular course, but they rather have agreements with 5-40 courses and their members can play any of these courses for free. The catch is that the club has only limited access to these courses, which means, for example, that there are only 10 free fees per day for the whole club (of e.g. 2000 members). So, these virtual clubs are connected to a central system and each member can reserve his/her game in advance and only if there is a free spot. The system is "the first one to apply for the free fee gets it". In order for this to work somehow well, the members are limited to a certain number of games per month. Like 10 or 15, depending on how many money they paid for the membership. This way is how you can play golf cheaply in CR.

So, what is the system in UK? How do you play for reasonable price here? Is it possible to play more than one course (within reasonable radius of let's say 30 minutes using car) for a good price, or do you usually buy a membership and play one course and only sometimes visit other courses?


#2 - Tournaments
In CR, there is a very simple system on how one plays tournaments. It is simple because it is centralized and the IT system behind is quite good, although a bit expensive for the federation. Anyway, we do have a golf federation that owns a single web server, on which all active golfers are registered. Also all official (EGA HCP system) tournaments are registered there. If one wants to play a tournament, he/she simply logs in and make a search for a tournament on courses that they wanted to and then clicks to register to the tournament. Some tournaments are not open to everyone, such as various leagues or official competitions for the best players etc. But everything is centralized and in one place.

How do you compete / play tournaments / leagues in UK?





#3 - Golf buddies
In CR, there are few players. Sadly, the golf in CR is not very popular, it is still being known as an expensive hobby for snobs. Therefore, if you start with golf only by yourself, you find it very hard to find anyone you could play with or train with. It took me several years to finally find good golf partners that would be compatible with me with both their time and skill.

In UK, there are many more golfers, so I hope this won't be that hard here. Any tips on how to find someone to walk you through the course for the first time, or to go to driving with you, make some fun, do a good training session. Share some tips ... ?





#4 - Prohibitions
Not sure how to explain this one. I am not sure if it exists anywhere beyond CR. There are places in CR (especially around the capital city), where you are strictly forbidden to train with someone. More specifically, you are forbidden to go to a driving and help someone to learn a golf, or to provide them an advice on how to play/improve their game. This is allowed only to professional trainers who are associated with the driving range/club/resort. So, if you want to show a golf to a new person, you have to go to a professional trainer and buy lessons for the new person. You can not just go to the driving, borrow a club to the newcomer and tell them how to grab it and swing it. Somehow this is only in golf in CR, there is nothing like this in any other sport in CR.

How is this in UK?




Thank you for any tips, answers, or comments!

 

[SVB]

Hi and welcome.

First I must ask- CR: Croatia, Costa Rica, Cheq Republic, Croydon?

Anyway, to golf.

1 - In UK you can pay'n'play or join a club directly. Also some clubs now offer 'flexible' options where you can pay for fixed number of rounds or discounted green fees etc. Loads of options but as a rule of thumb, if you are playing 3 or 4 times a month, then a membership will probably be better in the long run.

2 - Comps. Tend to be organised by the clubs themselves. Also, depending on skill level, there are various inter-club comps, county golf and onwards.

3 - loads of golfers, esp if you join a club you'll not be short of partners to play with of all skill levels.

4 - No such issue here. Most clubs (I'd like to think all) will welcome any new player and do all they can to help. It must be said, that stood on a range I have overheard all sorts of well intentioned 'advice' that a pro may raise an eyebrow to but that's a different issue.

Hope that helps, welcome and enjoy your golf here in UK.

Simon

 

[Foxholer]

Around Bracknell, you have a considerable range of golf courses.

From the likes of The Berkshire, Swinley Forest, Sunningdale and Wentworth, where membership is pretty/very exclusive and expensive, to the Council run Downshire and nearby Bird Hills which are at the lower end of the 'quality' scale, with prices that generally match.

In between those, there are fairly typical Clubs like Mill Ride, Windlesham (Bagshot) Royal Ascot and a few others. I haven't included Blue Mountains, that is actually in, or very near Bracknell, as I'm not sure whether that's closing or simply changing to being Council run until closure - for housing.

There will typically be a mix of courses, though probably not at the (irrelevant) top end, whichever part of London you end up at, though there is huge pressure for housing, so many are being wound down!

The Club Membership - with or without a joining fee - seems like one of the options you described for CR (wherever that is).

Good Luck finding a place to suit and welcome aboard!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome along. Where in Bracknell are you. I'm sure we can get together for a game

 

[Region3]

Around that area I'd guess you'd be looking at around £1,500 per year for membership of a half decent club. This allows you to play for free each time plus have a handicap maintained for you. Each club also has their own competitions, usually at least once per week, which costs another £2-£5 at a guess.

For competitions at other courses, most advertise their open (to members of other clubs) competitions on their websites, but almost all will require you to have a valid CONGU handicap which means you would have to be a member of a golf club.

There are websites which pull together information on open competitions, one of the most popular being golfempire.

They aren't necessarily for low handicaps either. Most of those that have limits will be at 18 or 24.

 

[dejf]

Thank you all, for your comments!

Hi and welcome.

First I must ask- CR: Croatia, Costa Rica, Cheq Republic, Croydon?

From your list, it would be "Cheq Republic", but we would prefer to write it as "Czech Republic"

Anyway, to golf.

1 - In UK you can pay'n'play or join a club directly. Also some clubs now offer 'flexible' options where you can pay for fixed number of rounds or discounted green fees etc. Loads of options but as a rule of thumb, if you are playing 3 or 4 times a month, then a membership will probably be better in the long run.

I used to play 10-15 times a month, but moving to a new country is somehow difficult for various reasons and it will take me a while to get on track. So for this year, I am probably looking to play 4 times a month just as you wrote. At this very moment, however, I am not sure where will I live in two months, could be Watford, could be Richmond, Slough, or High Wycombe, I really don't know

2 - Comps. Tend to be organised by the clubs themselves. Also, depending on skill level, there are various inter-club comps, county golf and onwards.

I used to play the best competition in CR, but that is only due to lack of golfers there, because I am not even a scratch player. But since then I have not played that much, so I would consider myself as being worse player than my HCP suggests, so I would put myself around 8 HCP skill level at this very moment.

3 - loads of golfers, esp if you join a club you'll not be short of partners to play with of all skill levels.


4 - No such issue here. Most clubs (I'd like to think all) will welcome any new player and do all they can to help. It must be said, that stood on a range I have overheard all sorts of well intentioned 'advice' that a pro
may raise an eyebrow to but that's a different issue.

Very nice, thanks for all your answers

 

[dejf]

Around Bracknell, you have a considerable range of golf courses.

From the likes of The Berkshire, Swinley Forest, Sunningdale and Wentworth, where membership is pretty/very exclusive and expensive, to the Council run Downshire and nearby Bird Hills which are at the lower end of the 'quality' scale, with prices that generally match.

In between those, there are fairly typical Clubs like Mill Ride, Windlesham (Bagshot) Royal Ascot and a few others. I haven't included Blue Mountains, that is actually in, or very near Bracknell, as I'm not sure whether that's closing or simply changing to being Council run until closure - for housing.

There will typically be a mix of courses, though probably not at the (irrelevant) top end, whichever part of London you end up at, though there is huge pressure for housing, so many are being wound down!

The Club Membership - with or without a joining fee - seems like one of the options you described for CR (wherever that is).

Good Luck finding a place to suit and welcome aboard!

Thanks! I have actually played the front nine of Blue Mountains already. I am currently living like 1km from there, so this was naturally my first place to go. I have to admit that I did not see any signs of this place being closed down. I was just told they do have this off-season opening hours. And the driving is muddy, so it is closed before the noon. As I played with borrowed set of clubs, my very first round in UK was very funny

I have to admit I have seen The Berkshire on the map and I have visited their website and after seeing the price, I just realized that for the first couple of years here in UK, this is the course I won't be able to play at as £130 per round is way out of our budget now.

I am currently limited by not having a car. And also, I do not have my clubs here yet, but they are on their way and I think tomorrow, they should arrive.

So because of all this, it is going to take me a while, but it is always to do your research earlier than later, right?

 

[Foxholer]

Thank you all, for your comments!

I used to play 10-15 times a month, but moving to a new country is somehow difficult for various reasons and it will take me a while to get on track. So for this year, I am probably looking to play 4 times a month just as you wrote. At this very moment, however, I am not sure where will I live in two months, could be Watford, could be Richmond, Slough, or High Wycombe, I really don't know

If those are actual choices, then you will still have a good selection of courses to play - and across the range of quality and cost. In fact, anywhere in the Greater London area (or further out) will be able to offer a wide variety of courses.

Once you establish where you will live, I'd suggest getting signed up to email offers from Teeofftimes and Direct-TeeTimes. These offer reduced rates and slots for clubs - in order to fill their day - so you can try them out. They can be tailored to only show those in your particular area. They are associated with GolfBreaks and Direct Golf respectively, so expect other 'offers' as well!

 

[dejf]

Welcome along. Where in Bracknell are you. I'm sure we can get together for a game

I am looking forward to it! I am currently at Gray Place, Wokingham Road, 10 minutes by foot from Blue Mountains.

As I mentioned in my previous reply to Foxholer, I do not have a car yet, so Blue Mountains is the only course I can get to on my own.
Should we play on another course, I would need to ask you for a lift (and a promise that you would drive me back even if you lose ).

 

[dejf]

If those are actual choices, then you will still have a good selection of courses to play - and across the range of quality and cost. In fact, anywhere in the Greater London area (or further out) will be able to offer a wide variety of courses.

Actually, these are just random places on the map I can see. I am not familiar with any of those and the only thing I know is that because of work, we will probably have to move closer to the London and little more to the North. I would thus also very much appreciate any reviews on living in these areas or any other areas out there. But I know that would be kind of off-topic

 

[dejf]

Around that area I'd guess you'd be looking at around £1,500 per year for membership of a half decent club. This allows you to play for free each time plus have a handicap maintained for you. Each club also has their own competitions, usually at least once per week, which costs another £2-£5 at a guess.

For competitions at other courses, most advertise their open (to members of other clubs) competitions on their websites, but almost all will require you to have a valid CONGU handicap which means you would have to be a member of a golf club.

There are websites which pull together information on open competitions, one of the most popular being golfempire.

They aren't necessarily for low handicaps either. Most of those that have limits will be at 18 or 24.

I will probably look at "a half decent club" next year. For this year, I am probably looking for "a quarter decent club" if any. Not sure at this very moment, what my situation will be here in 1-2 months. But I am not looking for a competition golf in next 3-4 months, so this is not in hurry for me.

Currently, I would like to do my research, and get as much info as possible. But realistically, I will not be joining any club for right now and will play only 2-3 times per month on cheaper pay'n'play courses.

Thanks for referencing Golf Empire, will definitely look there!

And I will also have to look what CONGU HCP is as in CR we have EGA HCP system.

 

[Wayman]

Welcome

 

[dejf]

Thanks Wayman!

Finally, my clubs arrived to UK
I can play now. Yeah.

 

[dewsweeper]

Welcome.
A very interesting first post,I love the way you have used 'smilies'.
You appear to have a good sense of humour and great English.
I am a bit far north of your intended locations (too far to walk!) But am sure you will be meeting other golfers very soon.
Dewsweeper

 

[dejf]

Hi dewsweeper and thank you for your kind words!

I am quite confident with my written English. I use it daily in my work. We have web sites in English, with various articles and blogs that I write from time to time, and with clients all over the world that I communicate with via emails in English.

But when it comes to the real world talking with people, that's a different story. If you speak slowly, I can understand easily, but once you start speaking just a bit faster, I can get lost very quickly. And obviously, the worst part is when I am about to say something myself. I have a tendency to discontinue my speech as I can not figure out the correct English word for what I want to say. When I am out there, without and access to an online dictionary, it is hard for me sometimes.

On the other hand, my first golf round in UK with a native speaker named Ray was very smooth. Maybe because I know the lingo in golf quite well and so I can easily find words for what I want to say. I have read the original version of Decisions on the rules of golf and I also read many texts about the swing and technique in English. So, when it comes to golf (or computers), I am confident even when talking. Despite that, I have learned a new word during my first round here. "Pitchfork", very funny word, I have never heard that before, but makes perfect sense. I said "pitchmark repair tool" instead, which turned out to be also quite correct.

 

[Region3]

I've never heard a pitch mark repairer called a pitchfork before.

As far as I'm concerned this is a pitchfork. The essential implement for angry lynch-mobs hunting down golfers who smoke or use casino chip ball markers.

 

[Foxholer]

...Despite that, I have learned a new word during my first round here. "Pitchfork", very funny word, I have never heard that before, but makes perfect sense. I said "pitchmark repair tool" instead, which turned out to be also quite correct.

I'm sure you'll discover a lot more idiosyncratic words and expressions, along with the amazing array of accents that abound - though not so much in the area you/we are in.

For some reason, I'm always amused by the word/expression, 'outwith' - the opposite of within, but 'without' was already taken! It's not used anywhere as much in (at least Southern) England as it is in Scotland. Many Scots seem to use 'went' instead of 'gone' or 'been' too!

 

[dejf]

Region3: I like "pitchfork". But it is interesting to hear that it is only used by some. English is fun.

Foxholer: Well ... amazing array of accents is more like terrifying array of accents for me. So far I spoke with scotchman (actually scotchlady, but that is not a word, or is it?) once and it was OK ... after she repeated the sentence for the third time

 

[Foxholer]

Region3: I like "pitchfork". But it is interesting to hear that it is only used by some. English is fun.

Foxholer: Well ... amazing array of accents is more like terrifying array of accents for me. So far I spoke with scotchman (actually scotchlady, but that is not a word, or is it?) once and it was OK ... after she repeated the sentence for the third time

Careful where you use 'Scotchman'. For some reason - probably lost in the depths of time - some Scots find that term offensive! Certainly describing someone as 'Scotch' (or asking them if they are Scotch) can upset some! They are all Scottish (adjective) or Scots (noun plural). But if your own accent is significant, they are generally very forgiving.

I can certainly relate to the problem of understanding Scottish females - especially from Glasgow. I knew a couple quite well back home (I'm from New Zealand - we don't have accents! :rofl Getting them to slow their speech down is the key!

 

[vkurup]

Welcome to the forum... I will type slowly so you wont have any difficulty in reading.. (dont worry, I can be classified as a 'non-native' english speaker - though being able to speak 5 languages can be a positive)

I am looking forward to it! I am currently at Gray Place, Wokingham Road, 10 minutes by foot from Blue Mountains.

As I mentioned in my previous reply to Foxholer, I do not have a car yet, so Blue Mountains is the only course I can get to on my own.
Should we play on another course, I would need to ask you for a lift (and a promise that you would drive me back even if you lose ).

I love your confidence, but have to warn you that Homer gets very grumpy if he shoots under 38. So you might have to keep the phone number for a local taxi company handy..