Thinking about joining my first proper club!!

Parmo

Tour Winner
Joined
Oct 3, 2007
Messages
5,004
Location
Yorkshire
www.roundhaygc.com
Well the time has come... Sick to the back teeth of 4hr rounds on a 2x9 hole 5200 yard municipal course, not forgetting the club house now like a social club but without the prices. Time to step up with the big boys :D

I looked at some pay and play courses, but they seem to just let anyone join, its a worry about getting on the course in good weather though they are generally cheaper.

I think Headingley golf club is the future for me, got a meeting on Monday and a round the following Sunday. Just need to try and get the joining fee either off or down (though they let you add it to the DD over 3 years).

Any suggestions on questions I should ask? Also any advice on trying to lower the joining fee? (under 32 and no joining fee's I believe)
 
Just ask them straight abourt waiving the joining fee, lots of clubs are doing it.

Q's -
Are there practice facilities?
Are medals drawn or do people pick own partners?
What tee times are reserved for members on weekends?
Big tv with Sky sports in the clubhouse?
etc etc

The club is there to serve your needs as a golfer not t'other way about.

If they seem overly stuffy or awkward give them a miss.

It's a buyers market presently!
 
got to agree with birdieman, i would not join a club that was too stuffy, what you want is forward thinking club with the interests of the members at hand, not all commitee,commitee,commitee etc.
As for the joining fee,clubs cannot afford to do without members dues, and some flexibilty on joining fees are required from ALL clubs!
 
The reason I am near on this one is that I think it might be a little stuffy. There are two pay and play courses near by, one has had a trolley ban since November and in winter you have to use them damn mats on fairways due to huge drainage issues, the the other is on the market for £1.95m and I called and asked about membership and was told "yeah just pop down and fill in a form and within the hour you will be a member", just think of all the members + societies and pay and players, I'd never get a game.

Headingley is a cracking course, the oldest in Leeds. Living in North Leeds I really have rich pickings from Moortown (never be able to afford it), Alwoodley (same as previous), Sandmoor (not sure on that one), Cobble Hall (no practice area & a tad too far, Moor Allerton (need to look into that one) + the two pay and play courses all within 5 miles.
 
I have just joined South leeds GC at £630 for full membership and no joining fee, I played there before 18 years ago and had my first round back this Sunday gone. Everyone has been really friendly,the membership director told me it was his personal duty to make sure I am integrated into the club and true to his word I'm straight into the morning fiddle with no trouble at all. The course is good, greens all open and fast even for the time of year.In summer they should be very very good.Great clubhouse facilities No locker charges, £25.00 per year to store and charge the trolley & battery and pre pay beer card that gives 10% off at the bar.I think that's a good package.Worth a look Leodis.
 
Cobble has a practice ground at the rear of the clubhouse Leodis. My friend is the comp secretary there.

Its only 150 yards between fairways though.

I have just joined South leeds GC at £630 for full membership and no joining fee, I played there before 18 years ago and had my first round back this Sunday gone. Everyone has been really friendly,the membership director told me it was his personal duty to make sure I am integrated into the club and true to his word I'm straight into the morning fiddle with no trouble at all. The course is good, greens all open and fast even for the time of year.In summer they should be very very good.Great clubhouse facilities No locker charges, £25.00 per year to store and charge the trolley & battery and pre pay beer card that gives 10% off at the bar.I think that's a good package.Worth a look Leodis.

The problem is I don't drive, so North Leeds within Taxi distance is needed. Headingley is only 2 miles from my house!!
 
Cobble has a practice ground at the rear of the clubhouse Leodis. My friend is the comp secretary there.

Its only 150 yards between fairways though.

I have just joined South leeds GC at £630 for full membership and no joining fee, I played there before 18 years ago and had my first round back this Sunday gone. Everyone has been really friendly,the membership director told me it was his personal duty to make sure I am integrated into the club and true to his word I'm straight into the morning fiddle with no trouble at all. The course is good, greens all open and fast even for the time of year.In summer they should be very very good.Great clubhouse facilities No locker charges, £25.00 per year to store and charge the trolley & battery and pre pay beer card that gives 10% off at the bar.I think that's a good package.Worth a look Leodis.

The problem is I don't drive, so North Leeds within Taxi distance is needed. Headingley is only 2 miles from my house!!
I hope you really enjoy it.
 
I've played at moor allerton we get free green fees through a recipricol agreement with my club and i wouldn't hesitate in joining there.

Each 9 well looked after and challenging too, well stocked pro shop and all round very good facilities.

Whatever you do, don't rush into it cos its a very big outlay especially if your paying a joining fee aswell.
 
If there is a recession on, surely golf clubs need money too?

If Headingley is only 2 miles down the road, and you don't drive, it sounds like the course for you.
 
I wouldn't worry about "stuffyness" my clubs full of that. I still swear like a trooper and throw clubs if I want too! Golf clubs like this need to realise that they are not a "middle class badge" anymore and require working class members like me (and you or if I'm being presumptive I apologise!)in order to survive.

We have members who still believe the smokers room should be re-instated and blazer and tie worn at all times in the club house.

I say just go for it, join it enjoy it, use it and be yourself.
 
Looks a nice course and a decent finish on 17 and 18! I am sure plenty of good rounds have been spoilt on those two.

It looks to be a quality set up but as everyone has mentioned, you are interviewing them as much as the other way around. No matter how much they may assert otherwise, they still want your hard-earned. By the sounds of it, you have a few options - albeit less attractive - than Headingly so use those options to your advantage.

Wish I had a course like that 2 mins from my house :(
 
Remember you have the power as its your money they are after. Ask about the competitions (when, drawn and any restrictions) and about inter-club matches. If you like to practice ask about their facilities and ask about the social side too.

I hope Headlingly works out as it'll be ideal just down the road.
 
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