organising society days, is it worth the bother

[drawboy]

I have tried to organise society days for folks to play in and I'm wondering why do I bother. It's always the same, folk sound keen enough at first "yeah, count me in,I'll be there, I wouldn't miss it for the world" etc then when you book a course and ask for the deposit it becomes. "Er, can't make that day, do not like that course, cannot get the day off and more.
It is annoying when you do try to accomodate people and they still cannot be bothered to come along. Any tips from other organisers?

 

[pbrown7582]

It the same what ever you organise you will never keep everybody happy and a
I reckon around 50% of defo never make it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Non-refundable deposits upfront usually give you a good idea of those that are definitely up for it

 

[Smiffy]

As you are most probably aware, I have organised quite a bit on the forum over the last few years. The biggest problem comes when it's time to collect the money. A lot of people in the past have paid an initial deposit and then pulled out nearer the time and I have usually reimbursed their deposits to them. This left me then trying to scratch around trying to find replacements at short notice, which is a right royal pain in the arse.
From now on, if anyone pays a deposit on something I organise, if they then pull out they will only get their deposit back if they themselves go to the effort of finding a replacement. If they can't be bothered I will offer their place to somebody else at the reduced price to make sure I get my numbers. Offering a cheaper place to somebody usually results in finding takers.

 

[The_ACE]

always a pain, I can never really be bothered to organise big outings as the stress outweighs the enjoyment and even on the day your worried about proceedings (whether people enjoy it, food etc.)

Normally get a definite four ball group and ask others along but with the expectation they organise themselves and perhaps have a meal afterwards with them. You dont get discount but it keeps it enjoyable

 

[Lump]

I organise our works society days. Now into our third with the best numbers yet. I give them a good month to show interest, once I've got a good number I start getting money asap. If It cheap enough I dont bother with deposits, just get the whole amount from them. Only had one bail out last minute and that was a MD... he still paid though.

 

[philly169]

I've just started a work society, going to be looking at courses in the next few weeks... Hoping not to have any problems.. But we all know that won't happen!

 

[Junior]

Golf days between friends etc are fine, but I've had a few nightmares with works days. I've done 2 in 4 years and I find the most difficult things are sorting the handicaps, working with people who want to play but have never stepped foot on a golf course before and people not knowing the rules.

First, the majority are not club members and think that this qualifies them for a high 26/28 handicap. This p1sses of the club members with certified handicaps as they know that 'Fred Bloggs' once shot a 90 at their home course 3 years ago when they played. Also, there one guy who has an unofficial h/cap of 18 (thats what he used to play off a fews years ago when he stopped playing) declared himself a 21 as he had had heard the course was a little difficult.

On the last day at Lytham Green Drive I had several complaints about a guy taking penalty drops around where he thought his ball had gone when it was lost. He had won the even with 44 points.

The other problem I had was that our social club subsidised the events and players (male and female) who had never swung a club in their life wanted to play. This was a tough one, because a couple were genuinely interested in taking up the game and had been to the range a couple of times, another couple (one male, one female) just wanted to do it to pee people off as they thought the event should not be subsidised as it alienates non golfers....

So in short DB, golf days for me where I work are not worth the bother, but dont let me put you off.

Organising golf days can great fun and very rewarding. You can often get a complimentary round and come the day you get a reduced fee's on great courses and decent grub thrown in.

 

[jchubs]

Just where we come in here at Golf Days UK...

Our motto is "Turn Up, Tee Off, Enjoy!"

Having organised many days in the past (when I wasn't involved in the business) I know its can be such a pain and as the organiser you rarely enjoy the day because of the worry of running everything and keeping people happy!

 

[Hobbit]

You'll get a hard core that will always make an effort to be there. And you'll get the serial, "I'll be there," that only turn up for the odd one. And you'll get plenty that whinge whatever you do. But at the end of the day as long as you and the hard core members have a good day that's all that matters - anything else is a bonus.

 

[Liverbirdie]

As you are most probably aware, I have organised quite a bit on the forum over the last few years. The biggest problem comes when it's time to collect the money. A lot of people in the past have paid an initial deposit and then pulled out nearer the time and I have usually reimbursed their deposits to them. This left me then trying to scratch around trying to find replacements at short notice, which is a right royal pain in the arse.
From now on, if anyone pays a deposit on something I organise, if they then pull out they will only get their deposit back if they themselves go to the effort of finding a replacement. If they can't be bothered I will offer their place to somebody else at the reduced price to make sure I get my numbers. Offering a cheaper place to somebody usually results in finding takers.

Is the right way to do it.

I used to have the same with football tickets, people who say "Yeah, any Liverpool matches - get me a ticket". If I do pass some on, always with the caveat that if they change there mind, its up to them to get rid of them, not me.

 

[wyncanton]

I organize big events and from research and experience you need to get a good idea of what people want before you start booking days. One persons idea of a good day won't match someone else's.

We have gone for courses you wouldn't normally play, high profile courses and keep it simple. Meet, golf, food, beer and prizes.

Good luck and barter with the courses for good rates!

 

[thecraw]

Tell me about it, the Machrihanish trip has had more call offs and replacements than originals this year. I'm going to have to look at doing another draw and I'm still a man down.

Hint hint, Toad, or Patrick the Mr Magoo driver!

 

[richart]

No problems with the forum meet I organized, but I did have the 'enforcer' Smiffy collecting monies.

 

[JCW]

yep got it in one , money up front , ie deposit say £20 , they can pull out but they find a replacement or its goodbye deposit , got to be hard , sorry but thats how it is , best advise i can give you is dont bother

 

[MadAdey]

When we have had them at work before we always put a list up on the notice board and ask people to put down their preference of course and roughly how much they want to spend. At least then you can book a course that people will definitely turn up for.

Golf day when I was working in Scotland went tits up because someone booked a course that was too expensive for some. If a majority of people only want to spend around £40 for a days golfing, it is no good booking into somewhere that is going to cost £80. It is simple they will jsut not bother when it comes round to confirming numbers and coughing up the cash. I am a golfing nut and always enjoy a day out somewhere nice irrespective of money, but I also know people who have a set of clubs so they can play now and again with their mates for a laugh.

 

[Monty_Brown]

Golf days seem to be an extension of the mentality that many people get at work, where they seem to become totaly reliant on other people to manage the most basic functions of existence. They expect soemone to tell them where to go, what to do, how to wipe their backside etc. Hard work.

Those that organise society days regularly have my total admiration. :thup:

 

[DCB]

I've done a fair few days at work or with a group of mates. I always keep a record of things, so if it worked well there's a reference for the next time. Also organised weekends away for a group of mates, that can be a bit more stressful but on the whole it's good fun.

Had the experience of organising the Forum Match at Goswick in 2010. That was stressful what with call-offs right up to the last couple of days. Fortunately some we managed to scrape up some local support and the event went ahead with two even teams.

As an organiser, I'd say to folks, don't say 'you'll be there' if you have any doubt as to your availability. It just causes confusion and problems for the organiser.

Trying to find two players with 18hrs before 1st tee off isn't fun

 

[daymond]

I take my hat off to you guys who organise golf days/weekends. My nephew organises our group (24) but we are all regulars.
Can be a good thing to have a dedicated bank account into which money can be deposited.

 

[Val]

When you organise it you just want it to go well, im lucky with what we are doing with the HDID boys that someone there is doing their thing and someone here is booking times and given the nature of it being a competitive matchplay across forums It really shouldnt fail (fingers crossed).

I'll maybe return back here after March 25th