Novice looking to join a Golf club

[DavidBH]

I have recently started playing golf and feel it is time to join a golf club. I live near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and so have plenty of options but was hoping for some advice as to the selection criteria as the joining fees can make this an expensive mistake.

To make the process fun I plan to make a short list and have a lesson, play a round and have lunch to give me a feeling for each club.

Is there anything specific I should ask or check out as part of my selection criteria?

I would welcome any suggestions, or specific club recommendations.

Thanks in advance
Dave

 

[Putting_Green_Pro]

hi. yes it is expensive down there. i dont know exactly how long it would take you (but they have built the new dual carriageway) to get to bourn as it has everything there. a large bar and restaurant. a well equipped pro shop, a large putting green and driving range, a par 3 course across the road, a gym (not sure if that is part of the golf membership though!) and obviously the most important thing a well looked after 18 hole course.
a full membership here is £700 with according to their website no joining fee, and i have also found a membership with the gym included at £925

 

[viscount17]

welcome, to the forum. you're not far from me and there are a lot of courses to choose from.

I play at Wyboston Lakes so can give you a synopsis.

You can pay-and-play or annual green-fee, which you can pay by monthly DD, currently £400 5-day, £575 7-day
the course is owned by Potton Holdings so Club membership is separate but around £40 (depending on age/gender).
There is no separate clubhouse, but we use the brasserie/bar which is shared with the hotel. Food is consequently good but not cheap (you do get a discount).

The course is not overlong (Par 70 summer, 69 winter - though the 17th is being lengthened) and is unfortunately prone to flooding, but then water is a feature of the course with maybe 5 'dry' holes. Even with that the greens, though not fast, are reckoned some of the best in the area.

The pro is a GM Top 25, but that does mean expensive lessons £35 - £45/half hour. Tbh I don't think the practice facilities warrant that though all 3 pro's are top notch.

I play most Friday afternoons and intend to tomorrow - give me a shout.
(Word of warning - during the season we can get swamped by societies).

For the others,
The GolfJunky can tell you about Lakeside Lodge, pigmeister is at John O'Gaunt and eaglehunter at Gog Magog. Then just up the A1 is GB72 at Stoke Rochford.

 

[Fyldewhite]

I think you have a good plan already and your visits would certainly help you form some opinions. If you get chance chat with some members to get a real feel for the place. Remember it is the facilities and the "type" of club you are buying into too, not just the course. I'd write down exactly why you want to join a club and what specific things you want it to offer such as social calendar, variety of competitions, winter golf, bar/catering, practice facilities, total cost/value etc. Then see how each matches up.

 

[Timh27]

i'm in the same boat having just taking up golf but dont plan to join a club until march/ april so i have plenty of time to decide which is a good thing because i have 8 golf clubs within a 5 mile radius of me so i have plenty of time to check them out and make a decision

 

[EaseNgrace]

I've spent the last couple of months doing the same thing. I've played 7 local courses on a green fee, with most of them it was quickly apparent that I wouldn't want to join. One club stood out as the most inviting not only is the course fantastic but the facilities are great and a lovely atmosphere, I have now applied to join so I can settle in over the winter and start playing some competitions next year.
So, yes it's a great idea to try as many different places as you can. Im sure, like me, you will find your new home track without too much indecision. Good luck.

 

[DavidBH]

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement.
So far I have added social calendar, winter playing, practice areas and level of society playing as questions to ask.

Viscount17,
I would love to meet up but can't make it this Friday (today). I have played at Wyboston a couple of times and do enjoy the course.

Pete_93
Ironically, I use to be a member of Bourn gym, as it was on my way to a former work place, and have played that course once. Although, it is about 40 minutes from my house so is a little further than I had planned for a regular club.

Thanks again

 

[DavidPotts]

Thanks all experts,
Its completely my pleasure to comment this post.
Keep it up dude......