Should I Become A CLub Member?

[Elduque]

Hi guys
I have got into golf in the last 3 months.
Thing is, do you think I should take up membership of my local club (Cottingham Park's East Yorkshire).
It will cost me £685 for the year with a £225 joining fee.
Quite a bit of money. But will this be the way forward?
Or do I just play some different courses in my area each month?
Thanks for reading.

Elduque...

 

[Essex_Stu]

Im in exactly the same position as you. Ive been playing four months and have tried out seven of the local courses and know which one I'd like to join. Its £890 a year which is around the same price as my season ticket was but I just wonder if Ill use it enough in the winter to justify the cost. Green fees are £35 so I'd have to go 26 times a year to make it pay. Decisions Decisions. Oh and I just realised Im no help with your decision at all SORRY!

 

[Essex_Stu]

Sorry forgot to say that I love the variety of trying different courses each week but theres no greater feeling than having a 'Home' course which I feel I have found. Are you looking at gaining a handicap and playing comps?.

 

[G1BB0]

I was going to be a nomad for my 1st year or 2. After playing here and there for the last few mon ths I decided to join a club. this was for 2 reasons, 1st was to gain a handicap, 2nd was to play in comps as I feel knocking around with m8's is fine but I want to improve and play some competitive golf.

My club is dirt cheap as its not the greatest course but its a nice challenge, 15 mins drive and usually quiet so can get a tee time at weekends and turn up for a 9 holes after work.

It all depends what you want out of it

 

[philly169]

ive recently joined my first club since playing more regularly. Mine was £725 a year. The best thing is that you dont have to pay green fee's. Nothing annoyed me more than paying £30 for 18 holes and playing rubbish from the start and not being able to walk off!

I'm enjoying the competitive golf and the social golf and I'm getting my moneys worth!

 

[golfbluecustard]

My local track is £800 quid - Royston GC - no joining fee - i have had lessons there - know the pro's to chat to - my son is in the junior academy - often pay and play there - just can't justify the cash as i work 90 minutes away and have three yound children albeit one now loves the game!!!! so there is hope for me yet.

Sorry mate no hope.

GBC

 

[G1BB0]

gbc, just up the road, may have to sort a game sometime

 

[golfbluecustard]

Am going through some rebuilding at the moment (new grip and swing speed was lesson 1) so am more of a liability at the moment but am putting the work in and will give you a shout when the ball is airborn again - my Gran lives in Henlow - 2 mins from the koi carp place!

GBC

 

[G1BB0]

course is on the raf camp just up the road

no need to worry about swing, mine is pish

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess you need to decide what you are looking for in a club and decide if the one you are lloking at ticks all the boxes. For me they have to have:

Decent course open all year (not flooded in winter) and ideally not on mats at all and only on temps if frozen.

Regular competitions that are drawn so you get to meet a large number of different members and don't have to break cliques to get a game

No booked tee times so you can roll up after work or late on a weekend if you fancy a game andcan go out without a problem.

Decent practice facilities

Good members who are friendly and easy to get a roll up game with. Decent beer and food in the 19th.

Comfortable clubhouse and locker room

Good club pro who will try and offer good deals, is a decent teacher and is approachable

Not an exhaustive list but certainly the sort of thing I'd be using to help narrown down my choices. The advantage of being a member is getting a game regularly, having a club handicap and being able to play competitions and matches

 

[Elduque]

Thanks for your thoughts guys.
Going to bite the bullet tomorrow and become a member.
Cottingham is a fabulous course and well maintained, so cannot ask for more.

Let the good times roll.

Elduque...

 

[Golfmmad]

Welcome Elduque,

You can't beat being a member of a club, it gives you so much more than just playing golf. Playing competitions and getting a handicap, making new friends, rocking up on a summers evening for nine holes in tranquil surroundings.......
Aahh, life is good.

Although I enjoy the banter of a friendly round, playing in the monthly medal or stableford with card in hand concentrates the mind.

Good luck,

Golfmmad.

 

[stevie_r]

Nothing annoyed me more than paying £30 for 18 holes and playing rubbish from the start and not being able to walk off!

Fully agree with the above plus the ability to play a quick 9, 12 or whatever when most 18 hole courses don't offer you that option (green fee wise).

I miss the variety that being a nomad offered but feel my game gains from playing the same track regularly in terms of TRYING to develop a strategy.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

If you can afford it then i see no reason why you shouldn't, having the choice to play 7 days a week for however many holes you want and having regular competitons to enter will only improve your golf.

I joined my club 3 years ago as a single golfer not knowing anybody,met a good few lads who i play with regular and i've only met a handful of people who i'd never want to play a round of golf with ever again.

The banter is good and the course is always in great nick.

 

[Elduque]

Thanks for all the this help guys.
I am planning to join the club this week.
I do have 2 concerns though.
1. That the joining fee may well aboloshed in the not too distant future. At the minute it is half price. £225
2. That I am not up to scratch to play on the main par 72 course.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not hitting every shot sideways,,, but there may be one or two?

Well thanks

Elduque...