Ian_S
Challenge Tour Pro
Trial round booked for Sunday. May be a fully paid up member by this time next week. A whole world of frustration awaits
The ball is rolling..
- Thread starter Ian_S
- Start date
pbrown7582
Money List Winner
Good luck hope it goes well.
Which course you looking at
Ian_S
Challenge Tour Pro
Eccleston Park, St Helens. Website and facebook pages look pretty nice, discount for being under 30 and very local.
G1BB0
Money List Winner
nice one
wish they would give discount to my age group, 3 teenagers, 1 in college, 1 in 6th form = cost a bloody fortune. Under 25's only have beer money to find generally
wish they would give discount to my age group, 3 teenagers, 1 in college, 1 in 6th form = cost a bloody fortune. Under 25's only have beer money to find generally
6inchcup
Journeyman Pro
its a glorified muni,a bland flat bit of ground you can stand on the patio and see every green!!!!!!!! and they have a few cheats and dodgy h/cap members,can you tell i detest the place.you would be better saving up and going to BLUNDELLS HILL G.C
philsh
Assistant Pro
I play at eccleston and its ok not the hardest of courses. Everyone is nice and friendly. The lads in the pro shop our great. I have had a couple of lessons off Bryan an hes great got me playing alot better and straighter.
Ian_S
Challenge Tour Pro
How do you find it compared to Sherdley Park?
6inch - I'll keep it in mind but Blundells Hill is a bit out of my range at the moment.
6inchcup
Journeyman Pro
sherdley is a far tougher course and has character and over a year probably works out the same cost,i was an original member at eccy park and they told us a pack of lies to get us to part with a joining fee and then green fees,the new one in rainford is doing deals at present,how much are they asking at eccy park these days blundells is £780 i think.
philsh
Assistant Pro
I've never played Sherdley. I don't think Eccleston is bad to be honest. Each to their own ain't it. I joined in 2001/2002 and the course has improved alot since then. Its great for me round the corner not snobbish and can always get a tee time that I want.
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6inchcup
Journeyman Pro
so you must have been told about the gym and luxury club house were the HOUSES are now,a non refundable joining fee based on a pack of lies and because every ones contract is different no claims can be made,how many pro's in that time 8!!!!
philsh
Assistant Pro
Sort of yeah but was 14 when I joined so wasn't bothered and played there for 2years and then rejoined last month. I don't know anything about the contracts when people first joined etc. I can sort of rem being told by my mother about a gym and that. I was surprised to see the houses can see why you aren't impressed with them. The pro they have now is good I think. As i said before each to his own. Can see why you aren't impressed and happy with them but doesn't mean Ian won't enjoy it etc. He might play tomorrow and think its just a course for seniors as a few people I have spoken to said its a seniors course and to easy. If its only £700 to join blundells might take a trip up and have a look.
6inchcup
Journeyman Pro
as you said each to his own and Ian will have to make up his own mind,hope he doesn't sign anything whilst he is there,they hound you like a double glazing firm for money.
Ian_S
Challenge Tour Pro
Just to follow up on this. I had my round today and must say I quite enjoyed it and I think the only issues I had were with the golf I played (which was my own fault as I ended up in a rush getting to the course and was pretty much in and straight onto the first tee before I had a chance to calm down and warmup).
Now just have to decide whether to go for it or not.
Now just have to decide whether to go for it or not.
6inchcup
Journeyman Pro
have a long think about it,and ask yourself if in the long term this is the best course for you to improve your golf,phone round other clubs to see what deals they are doing.
Ian_S
Challenge Tour Pro
I will do. It's always important to shop around. Blundells Hill is currently doing no joining fee but the membership is £975 /yr which is a bit steep for me at the moment (Eccleston Park is £75 + £495 /yr).
Can you let me know if I've missed any courses off my list that are local? I live near St Helens Junction train station, and courses I've looked at are
Blundells Hill
Grange Park
Eccleston Park
Sherdley Park
Haydock Park
Ashton-in-Makerfield
Alder Root
Poulton Park
Birchwood
Looking to travel around 15-20 minutes to get to it really. Any others I've missed out that are possibilities?
Captainron
Big Hitting, South African Sweary Person
Avoid Ecclestone Park. Grange Park is a proper member course. Go there instead. I wouldn't play Ecllestone if you paid me.
hamshanker
Challenge Tour Pro
How about Walton Hall,2 pro's took over the running of it last yr ,nice course n lovely layout worth a shout.......
Liverbirdie
Ryder Cup Winner
To be fair, that is cheap yearly golf. I presume you drive. I'm not a fan of Eccleston myself, but it is like eveything else, you generally get what you pay for.
If you can find a course that is £950, but you love playing it, is it worth/can you afford the extra. I would say it is worth playing 7-8 other potential courses before signing up to one. Have a figure in mind, and a top line figure you wont go above.
The other things to consider is travel costs (20 mins drive in each direction) may put £2-400 on membership costs if you play 2-3 times a week at a course a few miles away. That is not to say pick the closest either. How much is Ecclestone when you are over 30, and how many more years till then?
Try others first, as you may live with this decision for years, although lots of clubs dont have joining fees now, so you can always up sticks after one year, if you dont like it.
BTW just make sure the £495 isn't just for the rest of the year, and not the yearly rate, as by now it will be pro-rata, so the £495 may only take you up until 1st January and a full year's rate may be £800+. It's just with you saying they have had a previous "reputation". Phone other clubs up, tell them your offered deal, see if they can get near it.
