Northern Ireland Golf Societies

[loggies]

Hi People....
New to the board and relatively new to the game. Been playing properly now for about 8 months on a par 3 9 hole course and been making steady progress.

Problem is that my obsession has over-taken the enthusiasm of the friends who introduced me to the game and saw it only as a good way to kill an hour.

Anyway - looking to get out more often, try 18 holes and get some competition.
Been told that the best way is to join a society and use the regular play and competition as a training aid.

I have no idea where to start and find a society to join or the process involved.

Can anyone help??

 

[brendy]

Welcome aboard skipper.
Whereabouts in the country are you for starters? Most pubs and clubs have societies, if you really like the game then you should join a club proper. Now is a great time to join somewhere as lots of places are dropping the joining fee.

 

[loggies]

Im out by lisburn.
But work in newtownabbey - so been playing at ballyearl, par 3 9 hole. And practically live at the driving range

Been thinking about joining a club, but again dont know where to start - good club? value for money etc?

Maybe i should just take the plunge and go for it.

 

[brendy]

Phone around, most clubs have an office who can give you all the info you need,
financially, it might make sense to join as a 5 or 6 day member for a year, get the feel of the club first then become a full member, the only difference really is that you dont play in the saturday competitions but this will save you a hefty chunk of money in your first year.
Lisburn is a good club to learn the game as its fairly tight and has plenty of trees and water at certain holes.
Dunmurry is a decent course too, not as punishing as lisburn and is virtually always in good condition.
Moneywise for a full member, I wouldnt like to be paying more than 700-850 a year for full membership.

 

[loggies]

Are there any rules or etiquette to playing these courses alone?
Cant get mates to go anymore than once a month and I intend to make 'full' use!!

 

[brendy]

Not really mate, some common sense ones I suppose.
If you see a two ball heading out just before you, politely ask them if you coud join them, you get to know more members quicker this way, I did when I joined bangor.
If you are there alone, Id recommend an hour or two practice instead of 9 holes or whatever as you will learn and progress more that way than hitting a couple of drivers, some different irons and putting.

 

[Ken_A]

I have a few friends who joined castlereage hills this year - its a great starter course.

I joined my club in Feb by myself - with a handicap of 28 - I have at least 10 people that I now play with regularly, plus many meny others that I have just rolled up and met. I certainly had no problem meeting others and getting plenty of golf in.

If you are bitten by the golf bug phone a few courses and tell them that you dont have any playing partners - can you come up to play, as long as you can play to a basic standard most will be happy enough to let you play and join.

 

[brendy]

Castlereagh Hils (gilnahirk) is wherre I was a member back when it was a 9 holer, Its a better course for being 18 holes but I just couldnt see myself being a member there when I left. They introduced a lot of water when they opened the new course, its very short but tricky enough.
What did they pay in fees ken?

 

[Ken_A]

What did they pay in fees ken?

I think it was circa £600 - too much IMHO.

They done a lot of drainage work and for several months they had to play prefered lies due to the amount of sand on the fairways - on the flip side it was open all winter when others where closed after torrental rain.

As you said short but a good enough challenge - especially for a 20< handicapper.