The problem with golf ....

[Coffey]

When I am ever asked if I play any sports and I tell them I play golf. The one common response is 'I tried that once but it was too frustrating and gave it up'. Which is what I find so addictive about golf. I love going and practicing and trying to beat my previous score or playing brilliant shots (doesn't happen often). Ofc I get frustrated and annoyed but I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. I feel like there isn't much you can change about the game as it is a very very hard game to master. One thing that can be changed is getting more people involved and addicted to the sport.

 

[Radbourne2010]

There are plenty of problems with Golf attributed to those who manage it, those who market it & those of us who play it. To compound matters the equipment element is a significant cost for the ordinary hard working average salaried worker if looking for top end branded sticks, bats & accessories.

Personally, I saw golf as a fun 'sport' played with mates who made up Societies based around other sports clubs (Football, cricket, hockey, etc.) & company golf days. I never once thought about it as a competitive sport until I was too old to play contact sport to any decent level. After joining a local Private Members club I realised what I'd missed out on all these years.

I joined my club specifically to play competitive Medal & Matchplay golf. In the process I met fellow members who have become close friends & also been introduced to 100's of other like-minded people around the country whilst playing in competition events like Mid-Amateur Tour alongside social based meets such as this Forum & other Society based golf.

If you want a quick 9 holes after work to relax with mates but aren't interested in Medals, etc. join a local club with this in mind & buy a 2nd hand set of clubs for £250. No harm done. If you want to play the GM Top 100 Courses before you die with £3K's worth of equipment in the boot of your car, that's also good. Or if you simply want to pitch up somewhere having booked online for £15 for a Twilight round somewhere 30-40 times a year that's also fine.

Like life, golf's what you make of it not what it makes of you. Enjoy it while it lasts, as we all know too well we're not around forever... :cheers:

 

[IanM]

I agree... The problem with golf is that work and the British Climate get in the way too often!

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Once you know about golf and have played it and wish to play it, then time and money and inclination are probably the three biggest problems with golf. All of which you can not solve imho, what you need is more people trying it.

Most of the clients who have come on my golf days are not members of a club or even play on a regular basis due to the above.

I think it would be great if it could be 'pushed' at schools so at least all children get a taste of it at an early age, surely that would increase numbers playing(either as members or even irregularly) but can ever see it happening, which is a shame.

 

[Canmore]

There are plenty of problems with Golf attributed to those who manage it, those who market it & those of us who play it. To compound matters the equipment element is a significant cost for the ordinary hard working average salaried worker if looking for top end branded sticks, bats & accessories.

Personally, I saw golf as a fun 'sport' played with mates who made up Societies based around other sports clubs (Football, cricket, hockey, etc.) & company golf days. I never once thought about it as a competitive sport until I was too old to play contact sport to any decent level. After joining a local Private Members club I realised what I'd missed out on all these years.

I joined my club specifically to play competitive Medal & Matchplay golf. In the process I met fellow members who have become close friends & also been introduced to 100's of other like-minded people around the country whilst playing in competition events like Mid-Amateur Tour alongside social based meets such as this Forum & other Society based golf.

If you want a quick 9 holes after work to relax with mates but aren't interested in Medals, etc. join a local club with this in mind & buy a 2nd hand set of clubs for £250. No harm done. If you want to play the GM Top 100 Courses before you die with £3K's worth of equipment in the boot of your car, that's also good. Or if you simply want to pitch up somewhere having booked online for £15 for a Twilight round somewhere 30-40 times a year that's also fine.

Like life, golf's what you make of it not what it makes of you. Enjoy it while it lasts, as we all know too well we're not around forever... :cheers:

Completely agree - something for everyone - golf is what you make it to be

 

[Deleted member 21784]

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

he joined the club in question in End after making his case to the board

thorden park golf club

 

[guest100718]

he joined the club in question in End after making his case to the board

thorden park golf club

Nice course.

Quite stuffy

 

[Deleted member 15344]

he joined the club in question in End after making his case to the board

thorden park golf club

Making his case to the board ?

How long ago was this ? One of our regular playing partners 18 months ago moved into that area - he joined Thornden Park - he didn't know anyone , got an application form from the General Manager , then had an informal interview with the GM and then joined - certainly no begging letter or making his case. He did have to wait 8 week to join. Also have played with one of the Pros there in Pro Ams - it's a nice course

 

[moogie]

Making his case to the board ?

How long ago was this ? One of our regular playing partners 18 months ago moved into that area - he joined Thornden Park - he didn't know anyone , got an application form from the General Manager , then had an informal interview with the GM and then joined - certainly no begging letter or making his case. He did have to wait 8 week to join. Also have played with one of the Pros there in Pro Ams - it's a nice course

As you're always right Phil
Then it looks like he must have just made that whole story up
Just for a laugh??
Or attention seeking??
Either way you've put us all right now in your usual know it all way

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

As you're always right Phil
Then it looks like he must have just made that whole story up
Just for a laugh??
Or attention seeking??
Either way you've put us all right now in your usual know it all way

Nobody is accusing anyone of making things up but with the exception of a handful of very top clubs, getting in to a club these days is a pretty painless process.

I'm a member of 2 clubs ( top 100 and next 100) and I didn't know anyone at either when I joined. Dead easy though. Fill in application form, be interviewed, playing in round then part with cash. No begging required

 

[Deleted member 15344]

As you're always right Phil
Then it looks like he must have just made that whole story up
Just for a laugh??
Or attention seeking??
Either way you've put us all right now in your usual know it all way

No one is suggesting any of that - just as D4S said earlier possibly a bit of an exaggeration and it's certainly not the experience of joining one of my old pp had when he joined

 

[moogie]

Interesting that you picked out my post yet ignored D4S suggesting there was some exaggeration going on - but guess you must have missed that post , have a look up and if you look really good you will find it

Oh dear
You must have missed it too
As I can't see D4S singling out the exact club named above, like you did
Thus giving us an insight, with your superior knowledge, into exactly how the workings of membership applications are processed at said club
You all but call the guy a liar
Very condescending

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Oh dear
You must have missed it too
As I can't see D4S singling out the exact club named above, like you did
Thus giving us an insight, with your superior knowledge, into exactly how the workings of membership applications are processed at said club
You all but call the guy a liar
Very condescending

Ok :thup:

 

[moogie]

Ok :thup:

Thanks

 

[Canmore]

Nobody is accusing anyone of making things up but with the exception of a handful of very top clubs, getting in to a club these days is a pretty painless process.

I'm a member of 2 clubs ( top 100 and next 100) and I didn't know anyone at either when I joined. Dead easy though. Fill in application form, be interviewed, playing in round then part with cash. No begging required

Totally agree - I did the same 5 years ago when arguably it was even harder to get into a top 100 course. Make some enquiries, fill in an application form, play with a couple of committee members, and then they let you join. No real dramas - and everyone was so nice and accommodating when I first joined (staff and members)

 

[Slab]

Bit funny that folk say no hoops to jump through and immediately talk about that you just need to 'apply to join' attend an 'interview' and 'let you join' !

No thats not stuffy and elitest at all

 

[Norrin Radd]

we seem to have drifted a tad off topic here lads.

so in keeping with the thread title ,the problem with golf ,a lot has been said about the game be it time consuming or difficult ,elitist or too pricey ,i agree that possibly a combination of all these elements contribute in their own way,but my veiw is this ,
i think that golf is losing its shine through [and this is only in the UK] not having the amount of tournaments hosted here like the old days when a good deal more events were held and people could see the top names up close and personal.
the lack of events here [UK] is to my eyes why the dip in people wanting to try our noble game. im sure its not the main reason but im betting that if there were more events held in the UK that numbers would increase .

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Bit funny that folk say no hoops to jump through and immediately talk about that you just need to 'apply to join' attend an 'interview' and 'let you join' !

No thats not stuffy and elitest at all

Why is it stuffy and elitist? It is a simple process to control who joins a club. I'm sure 99% of applicants get in but you may want to exclude 1% for whatever reason (criminals etc)

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Bit funny that folk say no hoops to jump through and immediately talk about that you just need to 'apply to join' attend an 'interview' and 'let you join' !

No thats not stuffy and elitest at all

Let's be honest bar the top clubs in the country

You have to apply to join any club - golf or even fitness club - that's just a form - what's elitist about that ?

Then some clubs invite the persons or indeeds person to come to the club for an informal welcome chat - we have welcome meetings now

And "let you join" - that's just a saying which means the application has been successful

Beyond the expected top clubs - all the other clubs the joining process is quite simple and very informal - for majority now it's like joining a gym and for a lot provided there is spaces it can all be done in a day.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Let's be honest bar the top clubs in the country

You have to apply to join any club - golf or even fitness club - that's just a form - what's elitist about that ?

Then some clubs invite the persons or indeeds person to come to the club for an informal welcome chat - we have welcome meetings now

And "let you join" - that's just a saying which means the application has been successful

Beyond the expected top clubs - all the other clubs the joining process is quite simple and very informal - for majority now it's like joining a gym and for a lot provided there is spaces it can all be done in a day.

Have you checked every single club beyond the expected top clubs to make sure it's quite simple and very informal?
We have decent Clubs up here that are no way top clubs that still put your name up for 10-14 days for any objections and still require an interview before the welcome evening if succesful.