Should we be EXPECTED to use the clubhouse bar

[richart]

The more I read this thread the more I realise I joined the right club. Not just a good course, but a place I like to eat and drink, and chat to mates who happen to be members. The drinks are cheap, a pint of orange juice and soda to quench my thirst after a round is 90p, and a decent pint thereafter is considerably cheaper than the local pub. Food is excellent as well. Can't remember the last time I played and didn't at least have a drink, and if I play in the morning will always have lunch.

It is why when people ask for recommendations for local clubs, I will tell them there are better courses like Hankley, Liphook, but not necessarily better clubs, where you will get the full benefits of membership.

I hate to think how much I spend on food and drinks over the year in the clubhouse, but it is well worth it.

 

[DCB]

Dave,why should golf clubs bar prices be cheaper than a pub in town?

Granted, times are different but with other competition local to the club it needs to have that slight difference otherwise the business would go out the door. We've just changed suppliers, both brewery and wine merchant and it has made a difference this year. As well as the price sensitive golfer there's also the beer sensitive golfer to take into account when you change brewery

 

[Dodger]

Granted, times are different but with other competition local to the club it needs to have that slight difference otherwise the business would go out the door. We've just changed suppliers, both brewery and wine merchant and it has made a difference this year. As well as the price sensitive golfer there's also the beer sensitive golfer to take into account when you change brewery

I do hope you left a brewery based in Dunbar.

Pricing isn't their strong point.We now get their own product cheaper than we could off them even after they dropped their offering price on 3 occasions in an attempt to keep us.

Con artists.

 

[DCB]

May have done They were certainly slow off the mark when it did become obvious a change was afoot. Your right about their pricing policy. Wonder how they manage to sustain that. Got a far better deal elsewhere.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Quote from the Change shoes in car park thread

You seem to think that you are a better person because you spend money in the club house. It's not a charity,it's a business.

It is indeed - and if it's a members club it's a business that members own and should therefore do their utmost to support, as the ongoing financial and social health of a club is dependent upon members using it. If members don't use facilities offered - which could be for instance having their own chef doing food - then the club will lose the chef. So the car park member who may only occasionally uses the club for having something to eat with or without guests may find that that the home cooked fresh food facility may not be there any more. Use it or lose it. And as a member of a members club, whether you want to use something regularly or not, I think you have some responsibility to the rest of tghe membership as a whole to use it at least occasionally. I find that it is sometimes worth taking the common good into consideration rather than just what suits me.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Dodger I suppose you know how price sensitive some golfers are!
It used to make me quite mad on occasions.
A small increase in prices and Mr Angry Member is banging on your door.

He/she then puts the £2k set of equipment into the £35k car before driving back to the £350k house.
That is after depositing £20 in the puggy.

LOL - describing Surrey golfer angry man - except you need to double all the figures for a realistic picture of him.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

The more I read this thread the more I realise I joined the right club. Not just a good course, but a place I like to eat and drink, and chat to mates who happen to be members. The drinks are cheap, a pint of orange juice and soda to quench my thirst after a round is 90p, and a decent pint thereafter is considerably cheaper than the local pub. Food is excellent as well. Can't remember the last time I played and didn't at least have a drink, and if I play in the morning will always have lunch.

It is why when people ask for recommendations for local clubs, I will tell them there are better courses like Hankley, Liphook, but not necessarily better clubs, where you will get the full benefits of membership.

I hate to think how much I spend on food and drinks over the year in the clubhouse, but it is well worth it.

Nah mate - you left the right club But I agree on all of the above completely -100%. In fact as I work from home I often pop to the club for a bit of lunch - typically a nice freshly made bacon and brie panini or scampi, brown bread and salad for £3.95 does me grand or a nice coffee - the golf club is a perfect getaway from home for me and it means I meet members I wouldn't meet my normal playing times and can chat with visitors and societies - and I put money behind the bar and into the kitchen.

 

[Slab]

It is indeed - and if it's a members club it's a business that members own and should therefore do their utmost to support...

Never having been a member of a members club (or part owner of a business) with a couple of hundred other people. What can I actually do as part owner? (other than plough more of my own money into a business I already part own in an effort to keep it afloat, which to be fair doesn't actually sound like a viable business plan)

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Never having been a member of a members club (or part owner of a business) with a couple of hundred other people. What can I actually do as part owner? (other than plough more of my own money into a business I already part own in an effort to keep it afloat, which to be fair doesn't actually sound like a viable business plan)

Our money across the bar or into the kitchen isn't (well shouldn't be) necessary to keep the club afloat - your subs should do most of that - otherwise you are absolutely correct - club is heading towards the knackers. Just that bit extra to help fund the likes of our own chef, our own pro, additional budget for the greenkeeper for staff, repairs, improvements and machinery - all of which are really good to have. Without these 'extra' things I think a club will start to struggle; it will become less attractive to societies; sub go up to compensate;l members don't renew...

I note that my club really shot oursleves in the foot big time last week. Had a society of 80 - and we slit-tinned the greens the day before they played having previously assured them that we wouldn't do so - as we did the same last year. And they most likely won't return next year. Say £100 a head for the day - sums are easy. How 'daft' is that... So all that extra we are saying 'car park' members could put across the bar etc in a year by using the clubhouse - wiped out by a moment miscommunication (I'll be understanding as I could describe it in other terms)

 

[Grumps]

Why has it become an issue about where we change our shoes or use the bar or not .
I have never gave it a thought if we do or don't go in for food and a drink after the round

 

[cookelad]

I note that my club really shot oursleves in the foot big time last week. Had a society of 80 - and we slit-tinned the greens the day before they played having previously assured them that we wouldn't do so - as we did the same last year. And they most likely won't return next year. Say £100 a head for the day - sums are easy. How 'daft' is that... So all that extra we are saying 'car park' members could put across the bar etc in a year by using the clubhouse - wiped out by a moment miscommunication (I'll be understanding as I could describe it in other terms)

We had similar at my old place a few years back for the Ladies Open all the competitors arrived to find the greens looking like Blackpool Beach! Lady Captain was absolutely distraught and I think the person responsible got it seriously in the neck!

 

[garyinderry]

I think people will use the facilities differently as their lives change. the young guys at my old club were still on the putting green at night using the light from the club as the shutters are pulled down and the bar shuts.

fast forward 20years and these guys will be out the front waiting for taxis while another group of young ones putt the night away.

just a couple of years ago, if I could I would be on the course until the light forced me off. life changes and this isn't an option for me now.

 

[El Bandito]

I have no expectation that anyone should use the bar. Personally, I do. I enjoy having a drink with a playing partner after a round. If that person has to go straight from the round - for whatever reason, then fair enough. I can generally cope with the rejection!

The clubhouse at my club tries hard to attract people - and the club seems to be (through gritted teeth for some) looking closely at rules and how they relevant are.