The future of golf clubs ??

[guest100718]

This reminds me of a chat I had with the Steward at Swinley Forest. He tells a story of being asked how long he had been working there and answers, "nearly 30 years." The visitor then says, "Wow, you must have seen a lot of changes in that time?" The response............... "No, sir, none."

So I can't really agree with you Paddy. Some of the most successful, well-run, profitable and wonderful clubs in the UK have barely changed at all in decades. Their standards remain high in every facet and they are full, have waiting lists and don't need to change what they offer at all.

And I am not just talking about elite clubs either. I would suggest the following as fitting this description too: Blackmoor, Hindhead, Liphook, Piltdown, Hallamshire, Hayling, Tandridge, Betchworth, Hallowes, Pannal, Rotherham, Ilkley and Sand Moor.

All great clubs that are old-school, traditional environments that haven't changed in terms of what they offer and the ambience of the place in the time that I have played them and for some of these, that is a 30 year period.

Sure and there are plenty of clubs that struggle for new members and even go to the wall because they fail to grasp the fact that some people just want to play golf and are not interested in being part of the club in any great way.

I guess you'd call them car park members.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I'm sure there is a little bit of poetic licence on here at times but I think I prefer a slightly cliquey rollup that takes a couple of games to feel integrated into over playing in the same 4ball every week because I'm forced to book a time 3 weeks in advance.

I joined my club without knowing any other members, but by putting my name down on the computer I've joined established groups & met quite a few other new members and created new groups of regular playing partners.

So personally I'd say it's the membership who determine whether the system is inclusive or cliquey rather than the system itself, be it computerised or roll-up.

 

[Snelly]

I guess you'd call them car park members.

Amongst other things, yes.

 

[guest100718]

Amongst other things, yes.

I detect a dislike of those of us who choose change shoes at the car, play golf and go home.

 

[Snelly]

I detect a dislike of those of us who choose change shoes at the car, play golf and go home.

There's no flies on you is there Sherlock!

That said, I don't dislike anyone who does this. How could I when I don't even know them? However, I struggle to see why anyone would prefer to do this rather than socialise with their playing partners after a round of golf. I suspect it may be that they are very shy, unsociable, miserable or rather dull.

 

[guest100718]

There's no flies on you is there Sherlock!

That said, I don't dislike anyone who does this. How could I when I don't even know them? However, I struggle to see why anyone would prefer to do this rather than socialise with their playing partners after a round of golf. I suspect it may be that they are very shy, unsociable, miserable or rather dull.

Golf takes a long time, not everyone can spare the 6 hours on a weekend to play a round and spend an hour in the clubhouse after.

I don't have a problem with anyone at the club, from car park members just here for 1 year to get a good deal, to the 30 years continuous member old guys, they all have a part ot play in making the club what it is.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

The I suspect it may be that they are very shy, unsociable, miserable or rather dull.

Wow.

Just wow.

I'm assuming that you don't actually believe that, and said it purely to shock?!

 

[guest100718]

Wow.

Just wow.

I'm assuming that you don't actually believe that, and said it purely to shock?!

it's the kind of narrow minded view of many on here, so he probably means it.

 

[Smiffy]

it's the kind of narrow minded view of many on here, so he probably means it.

She. Snelly is a girl

 

[garyinderry]

''My opinions are my own and designed solely for my own amusement''

he knows fine rightly he will get a bite. he is also unlikely to go and spend a few hours playing a wet and cold 13 or so holes with the sole purpose of doing some work on his swing plane and getting value for money from his non-existent membership.

from what I gather on here, he enjoys playing the odd nice course, eating a nice course or two and why not. sounds great. he doesn't attempt to fit golf into every weekend like most on here.

he also seems to love winding up car park golfers. as if that is some terrible affliction. each to their own. :thup:

 

[Snelly]

She. Snelly is a girl

Only on Friday nights love...

 

[Smiffy]

Only on Friday nights love...

I accidentally bought a "ladyboy" a drink at our works Christmas do on Saturday

 

[richart]

Golf takes a long time, not everyone can spare the 6 hours on a weekend to play a round and spend an hour in the clubhouse after.

Wow you must drink slowly. It takes a few minutes to change in the clubhouse, and have a quick drink with your partners. You can spare 5 hours eek for a round, but not ten minutes for a drink.

 

[Snelly]

Golf takes a long time, not everyone can spare the 6 hours on a weekend to play a round and spend an hour in the clubhouse after.

6 hours? That would be 2.5 hours of drinking!

 

[bluewolf]

Are we really going to get into the "carpark golfers" discussion again? Sweet Jesus, you'd think people would be bored of it by now !!!!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Wow you must drink slowly. It takes a few minutes to change in the clubhouse, and have a quick drink with your partners. You can spare 5 hours eek for a round, but not ten minutes for a drink.

10 minutes for a drink? Where is the fun/politeness/whatever in getting into the bar, necking a drink then shooting off? May as well leave straight away!

 

[guest100718]

6 hours? That would be 2.5 hours of drinking!

Yes, with the old farts preferring to give up their seniors discount than drop the joining fee, we have been able to purchase a teleporter which mean I can get to and from the course in a flash, saving me the 50 minute round trip

 

[FairwayDodger]

Are we really going to get into the "carpark golfers" discussion again? Sweet Jesus, you'd think people would be bored of it by now !!!!

You'd be really amazed if you knew how much we go on about it in the clubhouse after a round!

 

[bluewolf]

You'd be really amazed if you knew how much we go on about it in the clubhouse after a round!

What's a clubhouse?

 

[Snelly]

Wow. Just wow.

Are you Kate Bush?


No I am not trying to be shocking and don't agree with you that what I wrote in my previous post was particularly incendiary. What other reasons are there for not wanting to have a pint with your playing partners? Lack of funds perhaps? No problem, I would buy you a beer every week if you were that skint.

My view, like it or not, is that if you don't regularly have a quick chat in the bar with your mates over a drink after you've played golf then you are in all probability, a miserable, unsociable, tight-fisted dullard.

Nothing shocking about that. Just my view.