Serving Visitors to the Clubhouse

SwingsitlikeHogan

SwingsitlikeHogan

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Does you club serve members of the public who come in 'off the street' looking for a drink. tea or coffee, something to eat. Or do you have a strict 'members only' policy. I'd like my club to be welcoming to 'anyone' - playing or not, interested in golf or not. But can this be achieved in a traditional members golf club?
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
Does you club serve members of the public who come in 'off the street' looking for a drink. tea or coffee, something to eat. Or do you have a strict 'members only' policy. I'd like my club to be welcoming to 'anyone' - playing or not, interested in golf or not. But can this be achieved in a traditional members golf club?
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We are not a member's club so we would not have the possible licencing issues that you do.

Having wedding and other business aspects in addition to the golf membership and visitors, we serve anyone.
 
Yes, my club does. It works well, possibly because it is in a nice market town and so the people who pop in do not abuse the offer. It helps the club financially and adds to the atmosphere of the club as it means it is busier more often.

A slight counter to this, my previous club was closed and opened up one year. It is a links course and it got flooded by people coming off the beach in their swimming shorts and flip flops. Kids everywhere running around. The members went crackers and it was pulled. Takings were up but it was not handled correctly.

If you are not by a beach then I would recommend it. More and more clubs in Northumberland allow non members to use the bar without having to join as a social member and I see it as a benefit to the club.
 
We aren't a traditional members club, but we serve anyone.

Although we aren't located in a position to get any passing trade, we have a restaurant open to anyone and a range that a fair few non-members use.

Anyone at the club for any reason is welcome to use the clubhouse, including the oiks in jeans and trainers ;)
 
I walked into my local club twice in two days and no one was there to greet me, say hello or no indication that it was even the right place to be. Wasn't very welcoming. Needless to say I didn't play there.
 
duncan mackie said:
We are not a member's club so we would not have the possible licencing issues that you do.

Having wedding and other business aspects in addition to the golf membership and visitors, we serve anyone.
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We certainly are very open for non-members to have parties and other celebrations (and we have quite a few of these). I hadn't thought of licencing issues.

I ask as I am just back from grabbing a bit of lunch at my club. Middle-aged couple came in and went up to the bar and asked if they could be served drinks. Steward said no - members only. The couple weren't at all impressed - muttering they were only putting money into the club - if it didn't want it etc etc. they'll go find somewhere else.

I thought they were a wee bit over the top - but that notwithstanding they have gone away with a pretty negative opinion of our place - which is a great pity.
 
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My club has a big sign up outside advising that it is open to non members so that helps dispel any feelings of awkwardness. I can see where the people are coming from but having worked on a club committee I am aware of the whole licensing issue that exists on this subject and so your steward was absolutely right. To do otherwise could have cost him/her their job and got the club into trouble. If people are not used to being in golf/private members clubs they may not be aware of how licensing works and the restrictions that are around members clubs. How the message is put across is important though. You need the Steward to be sympathetic in their explanation, not just give a flat no. However you can't please everyone......
 
A club I play regularly at is Dunstanburgh Castle Gc, i bet its one of the northumberland courses what Lord Tyrion was mentioning, which is by some of the best coastline in England. As a result it is always busy with walkers as well as golfers having lunch or a drink. Which I think is brilliant as it gives it a wonderful atmosphere and welcoming feeling.
 
We're a members club, so subject to the licensing issues mentioned previously.

Not really on the beaten track though, so no passing trade to worry about.
 
jp15g08 said:
A club I play regularly at is Dunstanburgh Castle Gc, i bet its one of the northumberland courses what Lord Tyrion was mentioning, which is by some of the best coastline in England. As a result it is always busy with walkers as well as golfers having lunch or a drink. Which I think is brilliant as it gives it a wonderful atmosphere and welcoming feeling.
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I played there once when I was on holiday in that part of the world. And I'd agree it was a lovely little club and was very welcoming.
 
SwingsitlikeHogan said:
I wasn't aware either. So if my Mrs was picking me up from the club and she had a friend with her - could she go into the clubhouse whilst she waited and buy herself and her friend a drink?
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According to the clubs bye-laws, alcohol can be sold to members, members guests (must be signed in), members of visiting teams, people playing in accredited tournaments being held at the club, professionals secretary's and captains of other clubs when visiting, and members of the public whilst attending a function organised by a member or the club.

my understanding is that non members clubs are not restricted by the same rules.
 
We're tucked away and a members club. However HID often comes up to pick me up if I am playing or practicing and pops in the for a drink. No idea if its because she's known via me but no issues at all. We do get people coming in from time to time looking about membership and stop for a drink so I guess you can class them as "off the street" although with a golf sub-text.
 
Break90 said:
According to the clubs bye-laws, alcohol can be sold to members, members guests (must be signed in), members of visiting teams, people playing in accredited tournaments being held at the club, professionals secretary's and captains of other clubs when visiting, and members of the public whilst attending a function organised by a member or the club.

my understanding is that non members clubs are not restricted by the same rules.
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So if you are a visitor to a 'members' golf club playing a bounce game but were not signed in by a member, then technically you can't have any ale?
 
Technically non members should be signed in by a member, even other half's of members if they themselves are not members. Unless you are causing problems to locals or are pinching substantial local pub trade then it is likely that no one will ever complain and so you can tick over quite happily. I'm sure most clubs are fairly flexible on this front. Common sense comes into play unless the members are very protective and absolutely do not want non members in the club.
 
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