Seeking membership near london....

[lyricist65]

Hi guys, new to the forum and (relatively) new to the addiction of golf.

i'm now looking for a club to commit to and take out a year's membership, and really would love some advice on decent clubs within or just outside the M25. I'm thinking maybe Ealing golf club because its proximity to my work so i can sneak a round in the early evenings anyone know the club?

at the same time though i want a club that isnt snooty etc so any advice would be very appreciated. thanks in advance

also, what kind of membership fee/joining fee is acceptable? obviously varies with club but a ball park figure to expect?

 

[fundy]

Welcome to the forum

Many years since I was in that neck of the woods but Ealing was always a very nice track - a decent test and always in great condition. Tended to get a lot of good players come from Ealing. Where are you based as will make easier for people to make recommendations?

There are a few clubs in that neck of the woods that can be a touch snooty, never found it with Ealing. As for fees its not cheap, I expect Ealing is approx £1500 a yr

 

[lyricist65]

thanks for the quick response. Ealing is £1795 BUT no joining fee.

i work in South Ealing but i live in Balham with easy access to the A3 so Surrey isnt out of the question, but i would rather a place i can go to after work, i think to make it worthwhile you need to play 6 times a month, and also be able to make the most of practice facilities etc.

 

[fundy]

My knowledge doesnt go that far south im afraid (most of my golf was played in north london) but plenty on here from that neck of the woods and surrey so you should get some better guidance

Not surprised by the cost of Ealing, that said if it was on my doorstep Id happily pay it (assuming its in the condition it always used to be)

 

[matts1984]

You could have a look at the crown golf website, they may have a course decent enough close to you.

 

[richart]

What about Surbiton ? Played there years ago and seemed a nice club, and is handy for A3

 

[jplkorea83]

I'm in a similar location, can't really afford the fees of most clubs around here though so am finely honing my skills on the public courses. Wish I could enter some comps though......

 

[RichardC]

Don't know what Mitcham is like now, or there is always the Wimbledon courses.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have a look at Leatherhead. Lots of work been going on with the course and I think they are offering some good deals at the moment

 

[Bratty]

If you want London, take a look at The Fulwell, about 10 mins from Twickenham, and right opposite Fulwell train station. Really nice course, and reasonable fees I believe.

 

[golfdub]

I live in Northfields about 2 mins from south Ealing. Wyke golf club is about a 5 minute drive from south ealing. Iv never played but I've heard good things about it.

 

[lyricist65]

ooh surbiton looks a good shout, and much cheaper than ealing, with £1040 pa for me (28 years old) and only £150 joining.

anyone played there recently?

a friend of mine suggested a lot of courses will give a comp. round if you are considering membership? is this something i should be requesting or is it too much to expect?

thanks for all the help guys.

 

[fundy]

if you dont ask you dont get, a lot will depend on how much they want new members and believe you are genuine, or if they think you are trying it on. in the past have had clubs agree to this, some will some wont. in some cases if you phone and ask to talk to someone about becoming a potential member they will offer you to come have a look around and play 18

 

[richart]

ooh surbiton looks a good shout, and much cheaper than ealing, with £1040 pa for me (28 years old) and only £150 joining.

anyone played there recently?

a friend of mine suggested a lot of courses will give a comp. round if you are considering membership? is this something i should be requesting or is it too much to expect?

thanks for all the help guys.

I played in an Open event at West Hill with two members from Surbiton last week, and they said the course was in good condition. I would definitely recommend having a look, especially as they do good rates for under 30's. Nice variety of holes, with quite a few hills, and a nice clubhouse. Not sure if it is a snobby club or not, but members I played with were fine.

 

[lyricist65]

I live in Northfields about 2 mins from south Ealing. Wyke golf club is about a 5 minute drive from south ealing. Iv never played but I've heard good things about it.

cheers, Wyke looks a god call too, and very good location wise. will want to check their practice facilities too as that'll be a big part of what ill be looking for.

Fulwell looks great too, but members guest fees are pretty pricey.

Is it normal to have a limit on how many times a year you can bring guests? seems like a deal breaker to me if I'm not allowed to play with my mates!

 

[Deleted member 1418]

If you're in Balham then take a look at either London Scottish or Wimbledon Common (the two clubs share the same course). The course is short and doesn't have any bunkers, but is a great test of golf over common land, with fantastic greens. Was a junior at London Scottish many years ago and it wasn't snooty at all. The only downside is you have to wear a red shirt / jumper to distinguish yourself from general public using the common.

 

[lyricist65]

thanks for all your help guys, going to check out Wyke Green at some point in the next couple of weeks.

 

[lyricist65]

has anyone got any experience of west middlesex? looks decent and relatively cheap

 

[MegaSteve]

has anyone got any experience of west middlesex? looks decent and relatively cheap

Back in the day they used to have a couple of public days a week so assume it still has... Most probably worth considering giving it a go on one of those days to check it out [assuming they still have them]... Course is not located in the most salubrious of areas and you have to cross a quite [very] busy road to get to some holes but hey ho it is worth a go...

Played Wyke Green on many occasions 15 or so years ago and was always kept in good condition... Could get a little wet in places in wintertime... It is a little flat and if I remember correctly practice area is not particularly big...

HTH

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you're in Balham then take a look at either London Scottish or Wimbledon Common (the two clubs share the same course). The course is short and doesn't have any bunkers, but is a great test of golf over common land, with fantastic greens. Was a junior at London Scottish many years ago and it wasn't snooty at all. The only downside is you have to wear a red shirt / jumper to distinguish yourself from general public using the common.

Yep another vote for these. I was at Wimbledon Common and it was as Pieman said - good test of golf. The club isn't too up itself and I think the fees were pretty reasonable last time I looked