Should we be EXPECTED to use the clubhouse bar

[jp5]

In response to the 'non-users' of the golf club house, it must be appreciated that it(the clubhouse) cannot run without some degree of financial input by all members.

What is the yearly membership fee for then :mmm:

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Many people seem to be missing the point about golf clubhouses.

How many times do you go into your clubhouse and the only people in it are the staff.
Being payed to do nothing is not a good business model.

If the bar and catering was leased out and allowed to tout for non member business would it be advantageous to the club.
Catering is quite specialised and amateur committees generally don't have much of an idea.

 

[Slab]

Would it be true to say that often clubhouses are open at times to suit the club rather than the players?

edit: I know its slightly off from the OP but I think it has relevance

 

[Snelly]

So, between you two, you've denied various golf clubs of 18 YEARS worth of subs, yet you come on here and berate people for not buying a diet coke after a round?

Amazing.

Utter, utter nonsense. Carry on...

 

[Snelly]

yes thats right, £2400 for annual membership, what course/s are you playing? the Queens and Kings are in stunning condition just now and the PGA is.........the PGA

Kings on day 1 and PGA on day 2.

Should be good. Staying at the Gleneagles Hotel with dinners at The Dormy Clubhouse and then somewhere called Deseo? Looking forward to it.

 

[CMAC]

Kings on day 1 and PGA on day 2.

Should be good. Staying at the Gleneagles Hotel with dinners at The Dormy Clubhouse and then somewhere called Deseo? Looking forward to it.

thats a good way to get into it. The Dormy after its upgrade is pretty American in its ambience service and quality- I love it:thup:
Deseo is in the main Hotel and the most 'relaxed' and European of the restaurants, also very good, in fact the whole service is excellent.
P.S get a 100% beefburger at the Kings halfway house, sets you up for a very nice back 9.

 

[swanny32]

The owner of my club can go forth and multiply if he thinks I'm going to use his bar....even WITH our "very generous" (sense the sarcasm?) 10% discount, the prices are still a hell of a lot more than the local pubs. The Saturday swindle finish their round then once everyone is in the go to a pub literally 30 seconds away, if that. There they get decent priced drink and also free food every saturday, big tray of sandwiches and a big tray of mozarella sticks, garlic mushrooms and prawn sesame seed toast....ok the food might be cheap cracp from Iceland but it's free because they know the lads will stick around all afternoon, watch the football and buy beers.

Our owner has his head stuck up his own backside with regards to bar prices, £4.60 for a pint of san miguel, £3 for an orange juice and lemonade, £2.40 for a bloody Latte!!!

 

[Slab]

The owner of my club can go forth and multiply if he thinks I'm going to use his bar....

Don't wish to be too critical of your club (& I know its a bit off topic) but couldn't help looking where you play and the club homepage actually presents itself more as a wedding venue with golf course rather than the other way round, which i found a little strange but I guess that tells us why your bar prices are what they are

 

[swanny32]

Don't wish to be too critical of your club (& I know its a bit off topic) but couldn't help looking where you play and the club homepage actually presents itself more as a wedding venue with golf course rather than the other way round, which i found a little strange but I guess that tells us why your bar prices are what they are

Yep, it does present itself as more of a wedding venue, and yes, many times throughout the summer us members walking off the course are felt to feel a bit out of place as the clubhouse is packed full of wedding guests. Prices are definitely wedding prices without a doubt, doesn't stop the tight git upping the discount we get on our cards though. Drives me insane.

 

[Snelly]

thats a good way to get into it. The Dormy after its upgrade is pretty American in its ambience service and quality- I love it:thup:
Deseo is in the main Hotel and the most 'relaxed' and European of the restaurants, also very good, in fact the whole service is excellent.
P.S get a 100% beefburger at the Kings halfway house, sets you up for a very nice back 9.

Great - thanks for the pointers. Just checked my flights and actually it is the Kings next Wednesday (the 18th) and the PGA the day after. Will definitely go for the burger at halfway!

Then I am playing somewhere called Knole Park next Friday - tough life eh? I have never heard of it, never mind played there but it looks okay.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What about my other question?

These two? OK

Ii'll address your edit seperately then. I bring guests regularly. I use the Pro for lessons. I bought my last set of irons from the Pro, despite them being cheaper elsewhere. Is that enough????

Yup - that's good - you could go elsewhere and many club golfers do. So yes - by supporting the pro you are helping the club have a pro. But in truth that is as much helping the pro as the club. And bringing guests is also good - but I could say it is only through hard work of members that you have a club and course worth bringing guests to. But I admit to being picky there.

And in that 8 years, how much did you contribute to the Golf Club? If the answer is nothing, then I appear to be contributing £800 per year more than you did. Which in my dim head makes £6400. Is that enough?

I contributed nothing and my current club lost out on nothing from me not being a member as I wasn't a member of the club prior to stopping playing.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

So, between you two, you've denied various golf clubs of 18 YEARS worth of subs, yet you come on here and berate people for not buying a diet coke after a round?

Amazing.

Oh come on - you know we're talking about being a member of a club and not contributing to the club through the bar, meals or in a voluntary capacity.

In my view - and if I am in a minor minority so be it - getting changed in the car park; playing your golf; getting back in the car and heading home or down the pub is not really what being a member of a members golf club is all about. This sort of member is really just using the golf course and contributing little if anything to the club - the club that makes the course they use. So be it - you pays your money.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Yep, it does present itself as more of a wedding venue, and yes, many times throughout the summer us members walking off the course are felt to feel a bit out of place as the clubhouse is packed full of wedding guests. Prices are definitely wedding prices without a doubt, doesn't stop the tight git upping the discount we get on our cards though. Drives me insane.

...and I might well do just as you in your situation. That said I'd struggle to be a member of such a club - I just prefer members clubs - largely for the sort of reasons that you cite (a wedding venue that happens to have a golf course - sorry - I am sure I exaggerate)

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Would it be true to say that often clubhouses are open at times to suit the club rather than the players?/QUOTE]

Spot on.
Mid morning & mid afternoon you may as well shut up shop at most private clubs.

 

[swanny32]

...and I might well do just as you in your situation. That said I'd struggle to be a member of such a club - I just prefer members clubs - largely for the sort of reasons that you cite (a wedding venue that happens to have a golf course - sorry - I am sure I exaggerate)

I completely agree with you, problem is I can't justify the membership fee's at members club so don't have much choice but to put up with the over inflated prices and stubborn owner. I just don't buy anything from the bar now, it's easier.

 

[Dodger]

If your club can't price it's bar more competitively than the local pubs etc then you have a serious problem. I almost choke when I buy drinks in town or elsewhere compared to golf club prices.

And


Yes, you should be expected to support YOUR club by using Your clubs facilities. If you don't it won't be your club for long

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

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

As I posted before I am looking to join my first EVER golf club and some of the attitudes are seriously making me question if I want to.

Don't let some of the more extreme views/attitudes on here put you of mate, believe me they're not typical.
There are golf clubs out there for everyone, the knack is "try before you buy".
You WILL find one that caters for what you are looking for out of membership.
After trying several local clubs i eventually found the one i now play at, its a small, relaxed club were i was made to feel welcome from day one, and subsequently have made some good new golfing buddies, and am thoroughly enjoying my membership.
If an atypical golfer like me can find somewhere, then anyone can. Good hunting. :thup:

 

[Doon frae Troon]

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

Historically golf club bar prices have always been lower than pubs.
With less golfers using the bar the committee put up the prices to cover the expenses...bit of a vicious circle.
The venue of the club is vital, out in the sticks and you are struggling from day one.
At the end of a High Street and it is like a bowling club. There are a few bowling clubs in Ayr who have very busy bars and only a few bowlers.

 

[Dodger]

Historically golf club bar prices have always been lower than pubs.
With less golfers using the bar the committee put up the prices to cover the expenses...bit of a vicious circle.
The venue of the club is vital, out in the sticks and you are struggling from day one.
At the end of a High Street and it is like a bowling club. There are a few bowling clubs in Ayr who have very busy bars and only a few bowlers.

Historically.

Times change as have prices from suppliers.We have a great deal compared to many other clubs and Pubs I know yet still the mark up is pretty gash.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

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.