Stay? Go? I Have No Idea

[GB72]

Really having a tough time with my decision of club for next year.

I have issues with some of the decisions/attitudes at my current club and had initially made up my mind to walk. I like the course and the people are firendly but it has been ingrained in the members that everything is played in your own groups. I have fallen into this trap to a certain extent with the people I play with as well so am equally guilty. Problem is that I sort of feel that I am a member of a golf course and not a golf club. It really sums it up that in the 4 years that I have been a member I have met a total of 3 people that I did not know already to call upon for a game. Add to that some of the other issues I have had and the decision seems obvious.

The new course is nearer, equal in quality and has 3 loops of 9 so more condusive to after work golf and is only a couple of quid in a taxi if I want a few beers. Having spent some time up there at the weekend though, it would appear that the problem of people playing in their own groups is just as rife there. They do have a few drawn comps but no roll ups (no club near me has roll ups for some reason) so the grass may not be greener. I asked the manager about getting games and was told that, as with all golf clubs, some groups are willing to let a new member play in their regular groups and some are not. There is a large group who meet on a Sunday who are welcoming but Saturdays to start with will be a case of turning up and hoping for the best.

This has left me in a total quandry. Do I stay with what I know and remain where I am which at least guarantees a game with people who are good company but I then have to bite my lip about my other concerns or do I take a gamble, up sticks and move to a new club in the hope that it will give me a bit more of what I am looking for aside from just turning up to play in my usual 4 ball and on the basis that I can be more social up there and play a bit more after work. I was going to join up at the new club for a month before the season starts to get a feel but my weekends have become booked up so little chance of that now.

The ideal situation would be to move my whole group to a new club but they already travel to get to our current club and are not willing to travel further to go elsewhere.

 

[Oddsocks]

does the new club not offer a 3month trial to see how you fit in, clubs down here are offering this now, to try and encourage you to try the course/club, and most are offering to discount the paid trial fee from your subs should you wish to take it on full time

 

[GB72]

does the new club not offer a 3month trial to see how you fit in, clubs down here are offering this now, to try and encourage you to try the course/club, and most are offering to discount the paid trial fee from your subs should you wish to take it on full time

You can sign up for a month but I am swamped at weekends for Feb and March and will not get much chance to make use of it. Then I have to make the decision whether to keep or resign my membership at my current club.

 

[Oddsocks]

oh dear, ok put anothr way whats to stop you returning to the current club with the new member benifits if it goes pear shaped at the new club.

 

[GB72]

oh dear, ok put anothr way whats to stop you returning to the current club with the new member benifits if it goes pear shaped at the new club.

Fair point, I suspect that they would not turn me away if I decided to join up a month or two late. Not sure that they would class me as a new member though. Certainly I would be interested to see how they reacted if I decided not to join then asked to sign back up later in the year.

 

[AmandaJR]

I have to say our experience is that without a roll up you may struggle. HID has managed to get a few guys to call on for a game now (after 18 months) but much of that is by association as partners of those in the Ladies section that I play with. It just seems that the men are so much more into their usual little group and no way want to change that or are willing to play with someone new. That might be a generalisation but it is certainly our experience. I guess as the Ladies are a smaller section then a new member stands out and are welcomed with friendly open arms - regardless of ability. Our mens section does have drawn competitions but even then the weekend after they all fall back into their usual groups...

It may well be the grass seems greener but in fact isn't and it will be starting from scratch again and an uphill struggle?

 

[bobmac]

The fact that you risk life and limb just getting out of the car park would put me off staying where you are.
Yes, there are clicks at all clubs but when I was there, it always seemed fairly easy to get a game.
Get your name in for a few comps and you'll soon meet new people. Especially that Harris chap

PLUS

There are 3 starting points so you should never have to wait an age to get on the course. And there's 2 good big practice areas

 

[Oddsocks]

shock horror light bulb moment.

Why not try and get a roll up moving at your place, if there isnt one there then there must be room for sorting one out, im sure if your feeling this then you wont be the only one.

 

[GB72]

The fact that you risk life and limb just getting out of the car park would put me off staying where you are.
Yes, there are clicks at all clubs but when I was there, it always seemed fairly easy to get a game.
Get your name in for a few comps and you'll soon meet new people. Especially that Harris chap

PLUS

There are 3 starting points so you should never have to wait an age to get on the course. And there's 2 good big practice areas

I have got quite good at the mad dash onto the A1 (just close your eyes and put your foot down). Thanks for the advice Bob, always good to hear from someone in the know as far as both clubs are concerned.

Have to agree with you Amanda, blokes do like to stick in their groups whereas our ladies section always play at the some time. It is very strange that none of the clubs near me (and I have checked at half a dozen or more) run any form of weekend roll up.

Going to voice my opinions at the AGM of Wednesday so may even have the decision made for me.

 

[GB72]

shock horror light bulb moment.

Why not try and get a roll up moving at your place, if there isnt one there then there must be room for sorting one out, im sure if your feeling this then you wont be the only one.

Going to discuss this with the club (after all they are cutting fees to get new members but none will stay if they cannot get a game). I think that the issues are that there are comps most weekends so they do not want to reduce the entry by having a competing roll up and also the long term members who run the club have no interest in anything like this because they are happy in their groups.

 

[AmandaJR]

Our club is proprietary owned and I think unique in that you buy a "season ticket" for golf and join the club separately - if you choose to. As a result they won't have weekend roll ups as I doubt they'd be prepared to allocate tee times which might generate revenue from pay and play. Mind you the seniors are the only ones who get to reserve a block tee time but that's midweek...

 

[DCB]

Just remember, the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.

I know of several people who have jumped club in recent years and they have moved on to a club with a very similar set of issues and problems.

Nowhere is perfect I'm afraid

If you think you've find the perfect club, don't join it as it's just an illusion oo:

 

[daymond]

I think the idea of you or the Pro organising a roll up is the best option. This would encourage those who, like you, cannot join the 'groups' and would get new members playing quickly with others. However if you and your mates play together in a roll up then tou are your own little group. Our seniors have a roll up running stableford which runs as a winter and summer competition (it's far too early in the morning for me!)

 

[Aztecs27]

The fact that you risk life and limb just getting out of the car park would put me off staying where you are.
Yes, there are clicks at all clubs but when I was there, it always seemed fairly easy to get a game.
Get your name in for a few comps and you'll soon meet new people. Especially that Harris chap

PLUS

There are 3 starting points so you should never have to wait an age to get on the course. And there's 2 good big practice areas

Unsurprisingly, I agree wholeheartedly with Bob on ALL points.

There are cliques at Belton Park, but there are plenty of good members and you're not risking your life getting in or out of the club.

Winner from me.

(Plus, I prefer it as a course, but that's just personal preference).

 

[GB72]

I think a lot will depend on the AGM on Wednesday. At least I can hear what the club has to say for the year ahead, If their plans to attract new members are backed up with a bit of forward thinking and some thoughts on member retention then I may give it another year. If (as I sadly suspect) they have cut subs and joining fees for new members with no real thought or planning but on the blind assumption that this will have people queuing up to join and expect existing members to subsidise the cut in income and membership then it may be time to move on.

 

[richart]

We have roll ups every day and don't think I would have joined the club if they didn't. One of the reasons I gave up golf was that my previous club didn't have them, and I hardly knew anybody as they all played in their little groups. I am also a very nice chap that you would think people would be lining up to play with.

Starting your own roll up sounds like the way to go, whether at your current club or a new one.

 

[connor]

i know how u feel. Since joing where i play in august i only play with my dad as my old partners i used to play with all work weekends and since changing jobs my self last may we never play together. I see the same people always play togther but never spoke to them so if me dads busy i just dont play.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There are roll ups at my place most days. Apart from two old fogey groups who really wouldn't let anyone join in given the choice (sorry to pick on the oldies but its true) you'll get a game with any of the others without a problem. Would the pro be interested in the hassle of a roll up on top of comps. What's in it for him apart for more hassle. Why not put a notice in the locker room saying you are thinking of starting a roll up and would anyone be interested and gauge opinion. If you have a couple of quid per person and people think they might win a few bob I'm sure you'll find some takers

 

[GB72]

The problem that I would have in starting a roll up is the competitions. During the season the club runs a competition every single weekend and sometimes 2. Any roll up would potentially take entrants away from the competition and that would not please the club or the pro who, I assume, all make money from the comps. I also have to bear in mind that members will be faced with either a comp in their normal group or roll up with strangers. It may be hard to break ingrained habits and draw people away from their groups.

If I go with this then the I could sell it on club house profits. If everyone meets in the club house to pay and set groups and meet there afterwards for the result then the club could see more money over the bar. For a comp, people sign in at the pro shop, head for the first tee, play their round, put their score in then head home so little to keep people in the club house and spending over the bar.

If just one decent club near me had regular roll ups I think that I would join on the spot but not a single one does (and so far I have asked Stoke Rochford, Belton Park, Belton Woods, Greetham Valley, Rutland Water and Stapleford Park)

 

[grizzler]

Really having a tough time with my decision of club for next year.

I have issues with some of the decisions/attitudes at my current club and had initially made up my mind to walk. I like the course and the people are firendly but it has been ingrained in the members that everything is played in your own groups. I have fallen into this trap to a certain extent with the people I play with as well so am equally guilty. Problem is that I sort of feel that I am a member of a golf course and not a golf club. It really sums it up that in the 4 years that I have been a member I have met a total of 3 people that I did not know already to call upon for a game. Add to that some of the other issues I have had and the decision seems obvious.

The new course is nearer, equal in quality and has 3 loops of 9 so more condusive to after work golf and is only a couple of quid in a taxi if I want a few beers. Having spent some time up there at the weekend though, it would appear that the problem of people playing in their own groups is just as rife there. They do have a few drawn comps but no roll ups (no club near me has roll ups for some reason) so the grass may not be greener. I asked the manager about getting games and was told that, as with all golf clubs, some groups are willing to let a new member play in their regular groups and some are not. There is a large group who meet on a Sunday who are welcoming but Saturdays to start with will be a case of turning up and hoping for the best.

This has left me in a total quandry. Do I stay with what I know and remain where I am which at least guarantees a game with people who are good company but I then have to bite my lip about my other concerns or do I take a gamble, up sticks and move to a new club in the hope that it will give me a bit more of what I am looking for aside from just turning up to play in my usual 4 ball and on the basis that I can be more social up there and play a bit more after work. I was going to join up at the new club for a month before the season starts to get a feel but my weekends have become booked up so little chance of that now.

The ideal situation would be to move my whole group to a new club but they already travel to get to our current club and are not willing to travel further to go elsewhere.

i can't make my mind up either, been threatening to move to a better club for a while now. a few mates were gonna join with me but they backed out because of the $$. i've been asking around to see if i can join in a 4 ball with some people i know at the other club, i'm not joining until i'm sure of it. no way am i standing on the first tee like a hooker for 3 hours asking strangers for a game lol