Right time to join a club?

[Copernicus]

What standard do you have to be at to join a members club? I have been having Iessons weekly for 3 months. I can get balls into the air but my swing is to be fair inconsistent ( putting is much better ). I am still learning the basics of the short game ( as you can tell I am it not naturally sporty but I love it and am determined)! I seem to be in a Catch 22. I need experience on a course not just a range and artificial green. But I am certainly not good enough to play with competent golfers without help and advice. How do I break into the game? When us the right time to join a club to find other beginners? I have one friend who golfs who has been very helpful lending me kit and has spent time with me on the range. I can play occasionally with him but he is a popular ex captain and president and golfs daily so has too busy a life to be my nursemaid! It feels like I will never get good enough to join a club unless I can join a club... Help!!!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Welcome along. Very good first post. Personally I wouldn't worry too much as many clubs will be only too keen to have you, and being frank, your money too. There will be a lot of members off 28 (current max handicap for a man) and who struggle to beat it. As long as you have a fair idea what to do, and are aware of others in terms of holding people up, a basic grasp of the rules (simple guides online) and etiquette (repairing pitch marks, raking bunkers etc) you'll be fine. You will learn how to play different shots, and can seek regular advice (maybe even lessons) from the club pro

 

[Imurg]

When I packed up Cricket I needed a sport to keep me going.
I'd been OK n the range and even gone on a 9 hole course but not seriously.
I decided that golf was going to be my game.
I decided I wasn't good enough to join a club....so I spent an entire winter on the range, hitting balls, trying to get "good enough" to join.
Eventually I reckoned I'd got just about good enough....
I played my first competitive round, scored +15, got a handicap of 15 and was instantly "better" than about 2\3rds of the Club...

Seems I'd been good enough for a bit longer than I thought..

Join, play, enjoy....seasoned golfers won't mind how good/bad you are if you're good company.

 

[Tashyboy]

Copernicus, excellent first post and very honest ( you won't last long on here&#128513 Joking honest

That aside, what part of the world are you from, you may get a member to give you a game on here. You have said that you have had loads of lessons with a pro. Ask him to take you around the course on a playing lesson. You will tick lots of boxes doing that. After you have got used to playing. Have a serious think about which club you will join. Good luck me man.

 

[Green Man]

Is there not a 9 hole muni near you which you can practice on? Doesn't really matter if its any good but it get you playing golf holes rather than just hitting at the range.

I started playing in my teens and I just went to the local 9 hole course every week until one of my dads mates asked me if I wanted a game at a real course. Shot 100 first time out which I was delighted with then it took another 5 rounds to get anywhere near to 100.

 

[Copernicus]

From St.Helens Merseyside. I have been doing playing lessons, save for two recently .. One when the course was too full because it was the day in the year the sun came out and one when my swing was so chronic I was 'punished' by being taken back to the range on the buggy ride of shame!

My other concern about joining a club is that I am female.(45) . I want a club with a decent ladies section but also good opportunities for mixed golf. Can't be doing with ruling out potential new mates / playing partners on gender!

 

[Grogger]

I'd say just play on a couple of courses first to get the feel for it and to see which course suits your game.

Everyone has to start somewhere and you'll find most golfers are pretty understanding about new people coming to the game. Don't be afraid to ask questions on the course or in the pro shop. The clubs want your money at the end of the day so make them sell it to you.

Theres some great municipal courses round St Helens, Liverpool, Warrinfton and Widnes. Also come on the forum and get to know people. I've met a few people on here and now have a regular playing partner.

 

[Jimaroid]

Just ask around at a few clubs. You'll know when you find the right one. If they're welcoming and inviting to a novice you've found the right place to stay. Don't get caught up in or put off by ability snobbery - being good company is better than being good at the game. I'd rather play with a happy novice than an unhappy scratcher.

 

[GreiginFife]

There is no "right time to join" a club IMO. Being a club member is much more than jist the playing aspect. Being a member introduces you to a whole new set of potential playing partners of all abilities. Getting out there and putting in to practice what you are learning is how to do it in my book. It builds your confidence and that's half the battle in this game.

Visit a few courses, get a feel for the place and then take the plunge. Only way you will find out if it;s for you.

 

[Liverbirdie]

From St.Helens Merseyside. I have been doing playing lessons, save for two recently .. One when the course was too full because it was the day in the year the sun came out and one when my swing was so chronic I was 'punished' by being taken back to the range on the buggy ride of shame!

My other concern about joining a club is that I am female.(45) . I want a club with a decent ladies section but also good opportunities for mixed golf. Can't be doing with ruling out potential new mates / playing partners on gender!

We all had to start somewhere, and sometimes its only through making mistakes that you'll learn some stuff, but here's a few tips, and none are meant to be denigrating:-

Read up a bit on course etiquette on the internet or on the R&A website - 10-20 minutes reading will be fine.

Read up a little on basic rules.

Muni courses (Sherdley?) normally have clubs attached and maybe joining there and playing in comps might be a good interim step.

A private course like Eccleston probably has many people join each year, so you may find like minded other learners in the same situation. Make it known that your new to the game, and see what the pro/secretary says.

The first 3 months or so may see you uncomfortable in certain situations, but over time you'll feel more and more comfortable and after then you'll be on an epic journey of frustration, that will see you into your later life.

If you wanted to have few non-pressurised knocks on a private course, me and gary from derry normally play on a weekend after 5.00, when the course is empty, so dont mind giving you a few pointers, if you like. Our course is in Netherley in Liverpool.:thup:

Good luck on your golf journey.

 

[Copernicus]

If you wanted to have few non-pressurised knocks on a private course, me and gary from derry normally play on a weekend after 5.00, when the course is empty, so dont mind giving you a few pointers, if you like. Our course is in Netherley in Liverpool.:thup:

Good luck on your golf journey.

Just back from the practice green at Liverpool Golf in Netherley! Are you at Lee Park?
I will take you up on that offer if you are serious - in a few weeks when I've got a bit more confidence !!!
Going to play Bowring Park early next month with the friend who is responsible for getting me hooked! That will be my first 18. Let's see if I survive

 

[Tashyboy]

Just back from the practice green at Liverpool Golf in Netherley! Are you at Lee Park?
I will take you up on that offer if you are serious - in a few weeks when I've got a bit more confidence !!!
Going to play Bowring Park early next month with the friend who is responsible for getting me hooked! That will be my first 18. Let's see if I survive

Keep us posted on how it goes, don't expect miracles. But during the round there will be that one shot, just the one that will bring you back. The one shot that you cannot get out of your flippin head when your trying to sleep.
good luck.

 

[Copernicus]

Will do! Apparently research shows golf has the same effect on the brain as playing the slots at Vegas has - it's called Intermittent Success Syndrome. You win/ hit the good shot just enough to get enough dopamine to keep you addicted! But I suspect I am teaching grandmothers to suck eggs now!

 

[Franco]

I started playing golf two and a half years ago and joined a club after three months of lessons and a par 3 course. I very quickly got a handicap of 28 and played in most of the comps. Interestingly, the high handicappers were friendly, but the low handicappers were positively welcoming. Don't wait, just do it.

 

[chrisd]

Welcome to the forum

Some great advice already, I'd just remember that even Jason Day started as a beginner. I came from football, then tennis to golf - I never played a proper round before I joined a club, played about 120 shots early on and worked hard to improve. I had no problem with anyone as I was at a real friendly club and I did follow two simple rules - I tried not to slow the field up any more than I needed to while I hit 120 shots and I never got angry!

 

[JakeWS]

If you're from St Helen's you should give Haigh Hall up in Wigan a try for a few rounds if you don't feel that comfortable, Literally everyone here is bad at golf, the rules are relaxed and there is literally no pressure on anything, just to get you more confident before you try some of the more intimidating courses with stricter policies.

 

[FairwayDodger]

I go along with much of the advice here. Play a few local courses to find which ones you like but, if you've decided to get into golf, join a club as soon as possible and don't worry about ability that will come once you meet people to play with and get out there more.

While visiting these clubs take the chance to speak to members but especially other women, and check out notices in the locker room which should give you an idea about the number of female members and so on. I can assure you that most ladies' sections will be delighted to attract a new member. At your age you'll almost certainly find you'll be younger than most as well!

Make enquiries at any club that makes your shortlist and see what happens, some may invite you for a round with a member to try and encourage you to join.

One thing to be aware of, especially if you work during the week and are looking for weekend golf, is the level of access women have to the course at weekends. Even clubs that think they are equal have issues in this regard. Find out what days women's comps are played and how often the tee is booked all day at the weekend for a men's competition. Better yet, if you're up for it, find a club that plays either mixed comps or runs comps for both genders concurrently with mixed times.

Most importantly, get involved and enjoy it!

 

[Liverbirdie]

Just back from the practice green at Liverpool Golf in Netherley! Are you at Lee Park?
I will take you up on that offer if you are serious - in a few weeks when I've got a bit more confidence !!!
Going to play Bowring Park early next month with the friend who is responsible for getting me hooked! That will be my first 18. Let's see if I survive

Yes, we're at Lee park.

Speak to Chris Crowder at Liverpool golf, as he used to do £5 1 hour lessons for a group of ladies on a saturday morning at Lee park. Some of them women ended up joining at Lee park in time, I believe.

 

[Dannyj1984]

Hi, I am in a similar situation to you, I played golf about 12 years ago and not much since. Getting back into it now and been looking at joining courses. It might be worth looking around as my local course in Cheshire has an academy membership. I have signed up for 5 1 hour group lessons for just £25 after this you get offered academy membership for a year at just £350. You can only play after 3pm in the summer and midday in winter but this suits me as I plan on playing after work in summer and I can do a weekend in winter. Just had a quick look online and grand national golf course are offering the same course I am doing but for free. Not sure how far that is from you but might be worth looking into

Danny

 

[Copernicus]

Thank you all for your advice on this thread. It gave me the confidence to walk into the Pros shop at my local course (Grange Park) and ask about membership. although it's not on their website, it turns out that as it is the 125 anniversary of the club they have a deal to encourage new ladies with a reduced membership of £1.25 a day this year which includes some group coaching, being taken around the course with members until you are confident and competent alone and full membership rights . Then if you carry on at the end of the year joining fee is waived. A good few women my standard are new members. It's perfect for me and I have my first coaching session tomorrow. So I'll be seeing you around on this forum as I guess I'm a golfer now