The problem with golf ....

[Deleted Member 1156]

If you really want to join a golf club you aren't going to be put off because someone asks you to sit down to have a chat.

Absolutely true but people like to just whinge against the establishment. They seem to ignore the fact that it is also an opportunity for them to ask questions and find out if that particular club is right for them. 3 months after joining they will probably complain that nobody explained the booking system/how to enter comps/frequency of rollups etc to them, all things you get the chance to ask at an interview

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

yeah I think you get the point though
A local is more likely to know existing members over someone moving into the area but swap 'local' for 'know members' and 'new to area' with 'don't know members'

Either way I suspect a mail to the GM isn't the process in its entirety so we don't really know if hoops exist or not

I've moved around a bit during my working career and joined several different clubs as a result. I have NEVER found the joining process either complicated or inhibitive. People just like to moan and the bottom line is they are only depriving themselves from the benefits of joining a club.

Whether you are local or not, know any members or not, joining a club is not difficult.

 

[Reemul]

Quite ironic then as you are dismissing quite a lot of perspectives...

Nope, you obviously didn't read the post in it's entirety or understand it.

I say it should be an OPTION in my post, not a must, that way it caters to both sides, those that want an interview or look round with a member and those that don't, while you think they should just be happy they need to have one regardless and if it intimidates or puts people off well that's tough.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Can somebody please explain why they think having an interview to join a golf club is an issue?

 

[Reemul]

Been thinking about this and I really don't see it from this point of view. If you really want to join a golf club you aren't going to be put off because someone asks you to sit down to have a chat.

Again, I don't agree, there are many people who are nervous in general, getting out meeting new people etc is tough. I play golf with 2 guys who will only play 2 local courses because doing anything else is outside their comfort zone, they don't want to join they just want to turn up, pay heads down and play nothing else at all. Me I work in management and spend all day dealing with people, couldn't give a crap, would have no issue sitting in front of 100 strangers and speaking up.

The problem is we all use our feelings as if they are everyone else's and sadly they are not. Take today, my 10 year old son is excited because he is doing a reading at church in front of the whole congregation, yet my wife would never do that yet is a school teacher and has no issue dealing with 30 kids every day. My wife won't do refunds and anything at all that deals with strangers unless she really has too, she would choose the no option. For people that don't feel that way mostly have no understanding of this and dismiss it out of hand. That is the issue.

I am speaking to the guy next door to me as I type this and he is the shy and retiring type and he just said, he wouldn't do an interview, first thing he said was what would I wear, it is not the same for everyone and the real issue is who do we make it manageable for those that are not used to the situation rather than those that are.

 

[ger147]

Can somebody please explain why they think having an interview to join a golf club is an issue?

IMO it's the term "interview", as the normal connatations are with applying for a job and therefore being judged etc.

I wouldn't join a club now that doesn't have an "interview" as there are several things that are key to my enjoyment that I would want to ask about, but perhaps the name needs changed as of course in most cases it isn't an interview at all.

 

[Qwerty]

There's no way I'd join a club without having an interview, I'll be asking them more questions than they're asking me.

For me a reasonable course is just part of it, I want to make sure there isn't ...low numbers in the comps, lack of comps, poor sign up system, too many car park Golfers, poor food or caterers that are never there, lack of roll ups, Duration of mats in winter, packet of crisps policy..Bowl or bag.
Questions need to be asked!

 

[CMNI]

Been thinking about this and I really don't see it from this point of view. If you really want to join a golf club you aren't going to be put off because someone asks you to sit down to have a chat.

In your opinion. When I have to pay, when I have a wide open choice, why should I need interviewed?

 

[Coffey]

Can somebody please explain why they think having an interview to join a golf club is an issue?

You need to think of this from the point of view of someone who is taking up the sport. They have maybe played a few par 3 courses and spent time at the range but are not confident in their ability and the rules etc. They now want to take up the game a bit more seriously, they have heard all of the stories about golf being elitist and how clubs can be very picky etc. They try and join and club are told of the process. As a new golfer this is completely off putting. Having to go through all the stages as if you are going for a job when in reality you are paying to be there.

I have been playing golf for 3 years now and went through this exact thought process before joining my club. Obviously looking back on it now, there was nothing to worry about.

I feel interview is a strong word and should be changed to welcome chat or something as interview comes across as if you are going to be questioned about everything and all your answers written down and graded. (which was not the case for my 'interview')

For people who are already golfers and have experience of being part of a club they know this process is not difficult and 99% of people will be accepted but from the outside this is not the perception, people see joining clubs to be difficult and always see them as being posh and elitist.

There is a massive difference between moving between clubs and starting golf afresh and looking for your new club. From personal experience, trying to convince a casual golfer to get involved in a club is difficult as they feel they are not good enough. Trying to explain that everyone is there to have fun and not judge (well may be some) is very difficult.

My club has an 'Introduction to golf' membership which makes the whole joining process a lot more friendly and we had around 75 new members last season and is being run again this season.

 

[Reemul]

Can somebody please explain why they think having an interview to join a golf club is an issue?

That's the thing, because it isn't issue for you, you cannot see why it may be an issue for anyone else either, that is why some clubs seem unapproachable to some.

Golf as a beginner c an be tough, all the gear, all the rules, etiquette etc, add in stuffy club, interviews, knowing or not knowing members and so on and it becomes more than one thing that can and does put people off.

All I think is the more approachable we make it for everyone the better, more members, more players and a healthier game.

 

[londonlewis]

3 months after joining they will probably complain that nobody explained the booking system/how to enter comps/frequency of rollups etc to them, all things you get the chance to ask at an interview

I agree entirely.
I've been spoiled for choice in Surrey for places to play so have never joined a club. But I am going to be moving house this year to Cambridgeshire so will have more limited range of places to play. So my plan is to join a club. But I want to make sure it is right for me, so I'd like to have the opportunity to sit down with someone to understand what the club is like.

Things like;
What's the make up of the members?
When do people typically play?
Do people tend to socialise or just play golf then go home?
How do things work - like the booking system / comps?
If I rock up on a weekend, how likely is it there will be someone to play with?
how does the course hold up in the hot of summer / cold of winter? Ever have to use temporary greens? Does the course drain well?
What can I expect if I join this club?
Is there anything else I should be aware of as I have never been a member of a club before...

So many things you can't find out by just doing a bit of research

 

[CMNI]

Can somebody please explain why they think having an interview to join a golf club is an issue?

It's not an issue, this was brought up as it is something new people to golf find intimidating and off putting.

 

[londonlewis]

Nope, you obviously didn't read the post in it's entirety or understand it.

I say it should be an OPTION in my post, not a must, that way it caters to both sides, those that want an interview or look round with a member and those that don't, while you think they should just be happy they need to have one regardless and if it intimidates or puts people off well that's tough.

Banks should give customers the option of providing financial data or not when they are making a decision as to whether to award a mortgage. Otherwise it might put some people off applying.

What are these golfers worried about? Being turned away? Not being allowed to join the club? Are they that afraid of rejection?

 

[Reemul]

I just want to add another thing from personal experience. I belong to a local par 3 golf course and sports club. I am a member, my father in law and mother in law are members. On 28th of December I took my 2 sons aged 6 and 10 to the club for a round with the in laws.

I went in paid for the kids, both have golf clubs, bags, trolleys and the correct gear. When we were on the first Tee the elderly club captain turned up in his car and got out and stomped over. He started asking had we paid, had we paid for this kids and what were we doing. Now 3 of the 6 players were members and were displaying membership badges on our bags and the other 3 had paid tags on their bags. Both the in laws play in the weekly comps and Texas scrambles so are known yet the attitude sucked.

If I wasn't a member I certainly would not want to become one with the attitude shown. It really sucked

 

[Reemul]

Banks should give customers the option of providing financial data or not when they are making a decision as to whether to award a mortgage. Otherwise it might put some people off applying.

What are these golfers worried about? Being turned away? Not being allowed to join the club? Are they that afraid of rejection?

It doesn't matter what puts them off, the fact it does is enough isn't it even if it is a stupid reason or even an unreasonable reason it is still off putting for some.

To be fair I feel I am banging my head against a brick wall, those that don't understand don't seem to want to and the guy sat next to said, you are wasting your time replying.

Which maybe sums up some of the issues failing golf clubs maybe have in attracting new members who may be new to golf.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

In regards the "interview process" some clubs may have during the membership introduction if someone is really worried about then surely the simple thing to do is - ask the club Sec what it entails - mainly its more about the club officers getting to know the new member.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

It's not an issue, this was brought up as it is something new people to golf find intimidating and off putting.

Good, I'm glad it's not an issue. Even as a beginner it didn't put me off joining a club.

 

[Radbourne2010]

Titleist 905d. Best driver I've ever used to date... ne:

This...a mate wanted to start playing again after selling his gear some years back, recently he bought a Titleist 905d,Titleist 980f,Titleist 975f,Titleist 735cm's 3-pw,52,56 vokeys and a Scotty platinium,all in really good nick and bought seperatly for a total cost of £150,all quality equiptment and would have cost around £1500 when new,add to that local 7 day membership at a decent course for £60 a month where there was no joining on fee done to encourage membership and his golf starts to be a very inexpensive pastime.

 

[londonlewis]

Again, I don't agree, there are many people who are nervous in general, getting out meeting new people etc is tough. I play golf with 2 guys who will only play 2 local courses because doing anything else is outside their comfort zone, they don't want to join they just want to turn up, pay heads down and play nothing else at all. Me I work in management and spend all day dealing with people, couldn't give a crap, would have no issue sitting in front of 100 strangers and speaking up.

The problem is we all use our feelings as if they are everyone else's and sadly they are not. Take today, my 10 year old son is excited because he is doing a reading at church in front of the whole congregation, yet my wife would never do that yet is a school teacher and has no issue dealing with 30 kids every day. My wife won't do refunds and anything at all that deals with strangers unless she really has too, she would choose the no option. For people that don't feel that way mostly have no understanding of this and dismiss it out of hand. That is the issue.

I am speaking to the guy next door to me as I type this and he is the shy and retiring type and he just said, he wouldn't do an interview, first thing he said was what would I wear, it is not the same for everyone and the real issue is who do we make it manageable for those that are not used to the situation rather than those that are.

So what do these people do when they want to get a job? Send in their CV and just say 'please hire me without interviewing me in person because I just can't face having to speak to someone about the role and my skill set'.

You can't live your life without having to do things that you aren't comfortable with.

I'm not a fan of talking to my neighbours as I spend my whole working life having to speak to people constantly so I like a break when I am at home. Doesn't mean I don't talk to my neighbours at all though

 

[londonlewis]

In your opinion. When I have to pay, when I have a wide open choice, why should I need interviewed?

Same theory for getting a job though. You have lots of choice as to where you work but you still need to find out if the company and role is a good fit for you. It's a two way process. The golf club is assessing you and you are assessing the golf club.