Nomad golfing

[DCB]

Everywhere has suffered this year due to the unprecedented rainfall we've had. I'm sure there will be many people thinking the same as thecraw and wondering if they are prepared to pay a lot of money for not a lot of golf next year. If I were thinking like that, I'd wait until next year before deciding. You'll have seen how the winter has treated our courses and in all probability, clubs will be chasing after members with some eye catching offers for the start of next season.

As others have said, a golf club isn't just a place to go and play your game of golf, there's more to it than that. That's what I'd miss.

 

[Jungle]

The way I look at my membership, I pay £36 a month so say £430 over the year.

Now you would struggle to play two rounds at £38. So I reckon been if I get 1 round a week I'm fine. Even with the rain I played three rounds this week and I'm always throwing in the odd 9 holes when time is tight.

I suppose it's all relevant to your membership fee's I suppose.

 

[patricks148]

Good grief - around my part of the country the going rate for annual subs of a straightforward members club is around the £1300-£1400 mark (now you understand why I can't afford a DMD ;-))

Mind you as my track is sand-based we are very rarely closed by wet weather. Flooded greens will drain in maybe 15-20mins and ground underfoot never really gets bad or muddy.

My home course is a links and the only reason the course was closed this year was because a load of teenage girls from the states wanted to play against some other teenage girls from GB & I ... wink

 

[Liverbirdie]

Everywhere has suffered this year due to the unprecedented rainfall we've had. I'm sure there will be many people thinking the same as thecraw and wondering if they are prepared to pay a lot of money for not a lot of golf next year. If I were thinking like that, I'd wait until next year before deciding. You'll have seen how the winter has treated our courses and in all probability, clubs will be chasing after members with some eye catching offers for the start of next season.

As others have said, a golf club isn't just a place to go and play your game of golf, there's more to it than that. That's what I'd miss.

Bugger, I typed out something for 5 mins, then I wasn't logged in, crashed and lost it.

Abridged version:-

1. DCB is right, last year was the worst summer in living memory.

2. Nomadic golf would probably mean a lot less golf.

3. Direct debit or golf fees in one go encourage you to go out and play more, probably lonelier as well. Sometimes you may not bother in case it buckets down, whereas you will risk it if you don't have to pay, as can always walk off, as costs you nothing.One example is a mate who had a footy season ticket, he decided to sack it and just go to 50% of the games. As he hadn't paid up front for his season ticket like normal (as golf fees) he then struggled to find the £40 on any given saturday, so only ended going to one match all of last season, whereas if he'd have bought his season ticket up front he would have went to them all. Paying in advance forces you to go more, to get your value out of it. He is an Evertonian though, so may have something to do with it.

4. I was a muni golfer for 14 years and my 8 years of club golf has been far more enjoyable.

5. Go the other way, move to a better/more expensive/links course in year 1. You may increase your enjoyment, even if slightly more skint. If too expensive or the travelling is a chore, sack it after a year and go down the nomadic golf route in year 2.

I don't think you are happy from previous posts in your current situation, and now is the better time to move, especially if no joining fees apply, but maybe an upgrade may be better than a downgrade.

Whatever you do, good luck.

 

[thecraw]

As per my opening post I will hopefully still be a member of a decent track, its just my home track that I'm thinking of sacking. To be honest though my mind is made up and I will be sacking my home course. It's what I do thereafter that I'm unsure of.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There is some stuff I don't like at my place and in particular the greens are still a long way from ideal. That said it's friendly, I can use the practice facilities whenever and I can turn up and go out any time I want, especially after work without booking. I love playing away but I couldn't really see myself being a true nomad without a home club.

 

[thecraw]

Everywhere has suffered this year due to the unprecedented rainfall we've had. I'm sure there will be many people thinking the same as thecraw and wondering if they are prepared to pay a lot of money for not a lot of golf next year. If I were thinking like that, I'd wait until next year before deciding. You'll have seen how the winter has treated our courses and in all probability, clubs will be chasing after members with some eye catching offers for the start of next season.

As others have said, a golf club isn't just a place to go and play your game of golf, there's more to it than that. That's what I'd miss.

To be honest I'm a bit of an anti-social chap and I'm happy to play on my own.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I like the idea of playing different courses but I do like meeting the lads on a Sunday and playing in the comps and having a couple of beers afterwards.

There's about 9 of us who play most weeks and although the course can get wet in places, it's actually not too bad.

I would like to be a member of a really nice links course (hillside standard) but it's way out of my budget at the minute.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

To be honest I'm a bit of an anti-social chap and I'm happy to play on my own.

Playing on your own must be very boring craw?

 

[thecraw]

Playing on your own must be very boring craw?

Not really, I grab a few holes or 18 if and when I can. I work shifts and have a young family so I tend to golf at different times. I enter medals if and when I can and tend to prefer playing away instead of my home course as often as possible if I'm off.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Not really, I grab a few holes or 18 if and when I can. I work shifts and have a young family so I tend to golf at different times. I enter medals if and when I can and tend to prefer playing away instead of my home course as often as possible if I'm off.

Fair play mate, I think the main thing is you have to be happy and enjoying your golf otherwise it's a waste of time/money.

I played in a couple of opens with Junior this year and really enjoyed them, you can play some great courses for little money too.

Good luck fella wherever you lay your hat for next season.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The other big plus I get from being a member is the opportunity to play other local courses for free in club matches. These are often cracking courses that I just couldn't justify paying the green fee to play (often £80+ a round weekdays) - and so I wouldn't play them. We also have reciprocal agreements with quite a lot of clubs - on south coast and in New Forest - and through our sec can arrange a fourball and play for zilch.

 

[cookelad]

Having just google-mapsed lochwinnoch I can totally understand you thinking about going nomad!