Thinking of joining Celtic Manor...thoughts?

Sounds like a bit of a nightmare to play in winter and having to play along side and behind guests every weekend would be a nightmare.

Sounds to me like it's a great place to play a few times in the summer months. (A good away day)

I have three great links courses just over a hour away from me been thinking long and hard about joining them. But taking into account say 2 amd half hours of travel and unpacking car etc and then even a 4 hour roumd. Its a long day away and wouldn't get any golf in during a the week
 
It's like we only have 6 months of golf. I live near Blackwood so no links golf close to me. Radyr would be the next option, but £500 joining fee is holding me back.
 
1k jointing fee and need 2 not nominations to join Newport, don't see what all the fuss is about, played it and underwhelmed to say the least, played better munis in Scotland. very stuck up also.
 
chimpo1 said:
£1200 joining fee suggests a not very welcoming atmosphere to me. No chance I'm stumping up that cash just to get in the doors.
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Sorry but how does a joining fee of that amount suggest it's not very welcoming ?
 
I havent heard great things about Celtic Manor member wise. The one course a day members only statement it supposedly a myth and it seems as though they focus on the hotel and visitor side of things.

Radyr is outstanding, I thought they had done away with the joining fee?
 
chimpo1 said:
A joining fee of that amount does not suggest all are welcome to me. It suggests that only the wealthy can afford to play here.
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It's the same sort of joining fee for clubs around here and that I had to pay and I'm not wealthy. Many regular members clubs that charge fees also allow them to be paid for over a number of years and they aren't being charged just to allow the wealthy to join.

Have you even spoken to them ? Very harsh to judge a club like that
 
I take your point. It was a harsh comment and not based upon any facts. (Public forum apology to Newport GC) It is uncommon to see joining fees in this area though, especially of that amount.
 
chimpo1 said:
I take your point. It was a harsh comment and not based upon any facts. (Public forum apology to Newport GC) It is uncommon to see joining fees in this area though, especially of that amount.
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Just seen this ...what did you do in the end??

When I moved to S Wales in 2009, I was told to avoid Newport as it was very snobby. Heck, I grew up in Surrey and I know what snobby looks like! I live near St Pierre and rejected that and Celtic as hotel courses. I was moving from one (Bowood , Wilts) so I know what that is like. (I also worked on the golf side at Celtic for a couple of months between contracts in 2015 so I've seen both side of it) It may have been snobby 30 years ago, but not now.

I went to Newport for a look round. The Sec came out the office and drove me round in a buggy for a look. Went in for a beer and was really friendly. That was 2009.

In the past 2 years, its gone from old committee/capt ruling it to a management committee . Much more modern. Still traditional over dress , but socials are "wear jeans" etc if you like. There are some old fuddies who moan about this, but we all laugh at them. The membership includes barristers, actuaries and brickies and plumbers, so reqlly diverse.

Lots of course improvements in progress - new bunkers, greens drainage etc and the benefits are clear - a number of top am events are coming over the next few years....

Socially its excellent e.g. Winter League is "shotgun start" on Sundays... all in the bar at 1pm, lots of banter - no snobbery at all. Far from it. No starting times , just turn up and play. Folk learn when to avoid!

I found it hugely welcoming, except for when England beat Wales at Rugby! (etc etc etc!!!)

Joining fee of £1200 still in place. Quite wrongly in my view, but the "party line" is that everyone has paid it, people continue to pay it and it stops membership hoppers! That said, it can be paid in instalments over a number of years. Annual subs can also be paid monthly. £20 a week to play there is fine by me. Younger members play less (under 35s I think) And, the club is as full as makes no difference.

As for having to be nominated, you don't really need to be - as I didn't know a soul in Gwent when I arrived. There was a really informal interview, they just wanted to know what golf I played.

I think the joining fee excludes folk - any cost excludes some. My only problem with the club is it being a 25 min drive away!! (so I use the range at St Pierre to practice!)

.....just my view of course, anyone wanting a game to see for themselves, let me know! :D
 
Ian I live in Rogerstone and had that interview, must have got the old lot as I felt very uncomfortable with the whole thing, I know quite a few members up there, maybe something to consider in he future but enjoying tredegar park just now.
 
Was a member at Whitchurch(Cardiff) as a junior up to the age of 22. Great course traditional mens bar with 2 snooker tables. Never managed to find a course to match it for atmosphere in a number of courses i joined in Surrey/Hampshire however the Army G.C in Aldershot my current club comes closest. Would love to play Newport never played it.
 
Parky24 said:
Was a member at Whitchurch(Cardiff) as a junior up to the age of 22. Great course traditional mens bar with 2 snooker tables. Never managed to find a course to match it for atmosphere in a number of courses i joined in Surrey/Hampshire however the Army G.C in Aldershot my current club comes closest. Would love to play Newport never played it.
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South Wales has some smashing old parkland courses and the linksy stretch west of Cardiff is excellent, right along to Tenby and beyond.... and all the English come and play Celtic Manor. When worked there Marshalling and saw the Senior Tourists struggling up the hills on the Monty, I used to tell them about Newport, Radyr, Whitchurch etc..:D
 
There is an offer on at the moment at Radyr regarding the joining fee. Think its been reduced to £100 for a limited time. Briefly saw a poster in the locker room on Saturday.
 
Matty6 said:
There is an offer on at the moment at Radyr regarding the joining fee. Think its been reduced to £100 for a limited time. Briefly saw a poster in the locker room on Saturday.
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Hi,
To be honest Radyr is my preferred choice if I am going to move. I am tied until the end of summer to current club, if i move it will be during the summer, ready for September. £100 joining fee is a great offer though.
I have a lesson booked in with Christian in a fortnight, I will take a look then.
Thanks
 
chimpo1 said:
Hi,
To be honest Radyr is my preferred choice if I am going to move. I am tied until the end of summer to current club, if i move it will be during the summer, ready for September. £100 joining fee is a great offer though.
I have a lesson booked in with Christian in a fortnight, I will take a look then.
Thanks
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Let me know if you do end up joining and we'll have a knock.

Christian is a fantastic coach. Nothing but praise from everyone who has lessons with him.
 
too right, after 3 lessons i went from 6.4 to 4.5. i have one every 4 weeks now. i can't wait for the summer now for more progress. i can't recall being this optimistic about my game for a long time and i'm as obsessed as the best of us.
a knock sounds good, perhaps we could get together in february half term holidays if it suits.?
 
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