The problem with golf ....

[HomerJSimpson]

clubs are going bust.. yeah its all good.

See I don't see that as a problem per se. If clubs are struggling to attract members, and aren't offering a pleasant on and off course experience why should they survive. They are a business at the end of the day and need to be run properly as one. I think it then forces the remainder to up their game.

However that said, there does also need to be entry level facilities, whether that's a local pay and play, par three courses (which seem to be attached to a number of P&Ps locally - Hoebridge, Sandown Park etc) or golf will fail to attract the next generation and that will become a problem.

 

[shun_naka]

My two cents thrown in here as someone a couple of years new to the game. Aside from the cost, a golf club is a hugely intimidating place for someone who wasn't brought up with one or has had any real experience of one.
Walking in seeing signs about all these rules (trainers in clubhouse, jackets in clubhouse etc) I've not really got a clue what allowed and what isn't. I'm usually in, pay for the round (pay by play) and out again onto the course. There's no real welcome (unless you know someone) and a few clubs I've enquired about need a member or two to sponsor your membership - impossible if you're brand new to the game. Once you're out you're also very self conscious about what you're doing out there, never mind how you're playing.

IMO clubs need to modernise. They can keep their history and show it off, but the generation that runs them seem to come from the generation where clubs where for the social elite, they seem to want to keep it that way...in doing so ignoring new, younger players of the game like myself.

 

[USER1999]

Why is golf difficult? Surely it is the easiest sport to take up? You don't need to be fit, young, athletically built, strong, or any other attribute to other sports. Heck, you don't even need to be good at it to compete. Complete garbage, we will give you a handicap so you are on a level playing field. Try taking up tennis. Or squash. Or any other sport that isn't darts or poker. Golf is easy. It just is. Any other sport, and as a beginner, you get gubbed.

 

[Canmore]

Why is golf difficult? Surely it is the easiest sport to take up? You don't need to be fit, young, athletically built, strong, or any other attribute to other sports. Heck, you don't even need to be good at it to compete. Complete garbage, we will give you a handicap so you are on a level playing field. Try taking up tennis. Or squash. Or any other sport that isn't darts or poker. Golf is easy. It just is. Any other sport, and as a beginner, you get gubbed.

Tennis is a much easier sport to learn - the court is fixed, learn the basic strokes and positioning and you can have a decent game

Also you can buy a top of the range racket for 60 quid, which you could use for years. I play at a decent level and have used the same racket for over 10 years, until recently when I bought a heavily discounted racket for 10 quid. How many of use the same clubs for 10 years!

 

[Canmore]

The problem with golf is peoples expectations....Golfers belong to many tribes - pay and players, proprietary club members, exclusive club members, ordinary club members etc etc

The market caters for all in each of the above categories - those clubs who both don't adapt to their core markets expectation and maintain a decent course s will inevitably fail.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

My two cents thrown in here as someone a couple of years new to the game. Aside from the cost, a golf club is a hugely intimidating place for someone who wasn't brought up with one or has had any real experience of one.
Walking in seeing signs about all these rules (trainers in clubhouse, jackets in clubhouse etc) I've not really got a clue what allowed and what isn't. I'm usually in, pay for the round (pay by play) and out again onto the course. There's no real welcome (unless you know someone) and a few clubs I've enquired about need a member or two to sponsor your membership - impossible if you're brand new to the game. Once you're out you're also very self conscious about what you're doing out there, never mind how you're playing.

IMO clubs need to modernise. They can keep their history and show it off, but the generation that runs them seem to come from the generation where clubs where for the social elite, they seem to want to keep it that way...in doing so ignoring new, younger players of the game like myself.

very good point

friend of mine plays off 4, retired officer from the army. Works for us now senior manager.. new to the area wants to join a good club round here

money not an issue £3k fee and the subs yearly or whatever it was he had

had to write a letter begging to join as he was new to area and wanted to set roots here but obviously didn't have a member to sponsor him because he only lived here a year

shouldnt need to do that if your of a good level so know and respect the game plus have the cash to actually join. Why should you need further hoops? Thought membership numbers were a problem

by the by this is the same club that had a go at another mate of mine for the wrong colour socks

 

[Sweep]

very good point

friend of mine plays off 4, retired officer from the army. Works for us now senior manager.. new to the area wants to join a good club round here

money not an issue £3k fee and the subs yearly or whatever it was he had

had to write a letter begging to join as he was new to area and wanted to set roots here but obviously didn't have a member to sponsor him because he only lived here a year

shouldnt need to do that if your of a good level so know and respect the game plus have the cash to actually join. Why should you need further hoops? Thought membership numbers were a problem

by the by this is the same club that had a go at another mate of mine for the wrong colour socks

As others have said, there are clubs and courses for everyone. Clearly this is a club that is not struggling for members. It's their club so their rules and as long as they don't need members nothing will change and we have to ask, why should it? If they start to struggle and don't adapt the club will die.
You could look at their stance as a marketing strategy. Quite often people covet things they can't have more than things that are freely available. Whilst we may applaud more relaxed clubs, at the same time we should accept that there are those who want to join a club exactly because of their traditional values. .

 

[delc]

I said to him once if the wife ever says to him cut down he could just join a club he said "that would bore the hell out of me, I love the challenge of new courses. Playing the same course all the time would bore me"

took him to my old club today.. par 72 he hit 82 playing off 10, good considering he never been there

I am a member of one of the better courses in my area and I don't get tired of playing it. I also play in team matches against other clubs, so I get to play other courses for about the cost of the meals that follow them. The other good thing of being a member of a golf club is the like-minded friends you can make

 

[Robobum]

I am a member of one of the better courses in my area and I don't get tired of playing it. I also play in team matches against other clubs, so I get to play other courses for about the cost of the meals that follow them. The other good thing of being a member of a golf club is the like-minded friends you can make

Now there's a scary thought!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

very good point

friend of mine plays off 4, retired officer from the army. Works for us now senior manager.. new to the area wants to join a good club round here

money not an issue £3k fee and the subs yearly or whatever it was he had

had to write a letter begging to join as he was new to area and wanted to set roots here but obviously didn't have a member to sponsor him because he only lived here a year

shouldnt need to do that if your of a good level so know and respect the game plus have the cash to actually join. Why should you need further hoops? Thought membership numbers were a problem

by the by this is the same club that had a go at another mate of mine for the wrong colour socks

Unless he was trying to join somewhere like Sunningdale I think you are exaggerating slightly? There is an extremely small number of clubs where you have to 'jump through hoops' to join. Even if you don't know a member, the vast majority of clubs will simply accept a letter requesting to join or you download a form off the club website. Joining a top club is pretty painless, you just have to follow a simple procedure. Apply....have an interview......playing in round....pay your subs.....job done.

 

[Deleted member 21784]

Unless he was trying to join somewhere like Sunningdale I think you are exaggerating slightly? There is an extremely small number of clubs where you have to 'jump through hoops' to join. Even if you don't know a member, the vast majority of clubs will simply accept a letter requesting to join or you download a form off the club website. Joining a top club is pretty painless, you just have to follow a simple procedure. Apply....have an interview......playing in round....pay your subs.....job done.

no thats what he had to do, and apart from the word "begging" your post is almost the same as what I said he did? Apply (in the form of a letter, begging) , interview (in which he mentioned himself more) play a round (didnt mention that bit) pay subs (said that)

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

no thats what he had to do, and apart from the word "begging" your post is almost the same as what I said he did? Apply (in the form of a letter, begging) , interview (in which he mentioned himself more) play a round (didnt mention that bit) pay subs (said that)

Pretty simple process so what is the problem? Has he now joined somewhere?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

no thats what he had to do, and apart from the word "begging" your post is almost the same as what I said he did? Apply (in the form of a letter, begging) , interview (in which he mentioned himself more) play a round (didnt mention that bit) pay subs (said that)

To apply to a club you simple fill out the membership form request - not send a "begging letter" - some clubs may request a "pen picture" of who you are but again it's not a begging letter.

Which club is this you are talking about ? Or area

 

[USER1999]

Tennis is a much easier sport to learn - the court is fixed, learn the basic strokes and positioning and you can have a decent game

Also you can buy a top of the range racket for 60 quid, which you could use for years. I play at a decent level and have used the same racket for over 10 years, until recently when I bought a heavily discounted racket for 10 quid. How many of use the same clubs for 10 years!

And when you play, as a beginner, you lose. Every time. You also need to be fit, able, etc.

 

[Coffey]

I have recently picked the game up, coming into my 3rd season.

The first 'club' i joined is very very different to the one I am at now.

The first labels itself as a center rather than a club and that shines through. No community and very very rude people on and off the course, no welcome in the pro shop etc. In saying that, it was a good place to join as my first as it allowed me to learn the game without any serious clubhouse rules and entry requirements.

The second club I joined is completely different. I played one round there and had so many members coming up and asking if i was a visitor and how I was finding it and if I had any issues to let them know. Was even welcomed into the clubhouse for a drink after my round. I joined this club a few months later and it was very easy to get into. Filled in membership form and attended a chat with one of the committee who ran through the 'rules' and how everything worked. Was all very laid back and relaxed.

When playing everyone has been so friendly and inviting. I've gotten to know the so many people and after being there for one season I am playing in a winter league and next year's captain has asked me to play in the club comps.

The difference between the two clubs is extraordinary. I had no idea it would be like that and was very nervous joining at the start as I had an impression that it would be very strict etc. I think the members made my decision to join very easy. That first round I played sold it to me as they were so welcoming and friendly

 

[Crazyface]

And they can be quite intimidating for beginners
Plus, how is a beginner going to cope with a 160 yard carry over water or a 530 yard par 5 with on all down one side..
It's like skiing. You have the easy nursery slopes for beginners, building up to the Black slopes for the experts....Could a beginner handle that..?
Put a complete novice on the first at a Sunningdale or similar and you'll never see them on a course again.

Not all are like that though.

 

[lukeysafc100]

For me the best part of this sport is that it cannot be mastered!!
Perhaps the prices could get better and the cost of starting could be cheaper - but what people forget is that the game is about swinging a club at ball to get it in a hole! it doesn't have to be 7000 yards, 3-5 hours long! So many different formats! Problem is only events is 72 hole strokeplay on the TV and the coverage isn't as wide spread in the UK!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

One major problem with golf is that to the less knowledgeable or casual watcher of golf on TV, golf can appear completely baffling and, frankly, tedious and boring. I myself struggle watching snippets of golf on TV if I have not been watching from the start or don't know, or are particularly interested in, the key participants. It seems to me to be a notoriously difficult, if not impossible, sport for non-golfer TV viewers just to dip into.

And so why would such casual TV viewers think of giving such a dull and unfathomable sport a go? There has to be something that attracts folk to give it a go - at basically minimal, or indeed no, cost. Decent clubs, balls, lessons, mentoring etc. supplied f.o.c. A difficult bullet to bite.

 

[patricks148]

people want everything too easy and feel they are entitled to something for nothing.

golf is a difficult game that takes time and effort, something most of society can't be bothered with today.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

people want everything too easy and feel they are entitled to something for nothing.

golf is a difficult game that takes time and effort, something most of society can't be bothered with today.

Spot on Sir! Not enough immediate success or even gratification.