Trialing a new course

[jamielaing]

A couple of times I have posted on here about changing courses, tomorrow's the big trial at the favourite leader (out of 2). So, what would you be looking out for and what questions would you be asking when trying out a new golf course for membership?

 

[patricks148]

if you enjoy the course would be the main one for me

 

[FairwayDodger]

Access to the course, especially at weekends, booking procedures, practice facilities....

 

[chrisd]

What comps are there, can you find groups to play in. How often are they closed in winter.

 

[Curls]

What's the ale like?



For me the track comes first, if I thought I'd get bored of it I wouldn't join. Then friendliness of the membership. Then what the management of the club is like. Are people forever giving out because an ongoing issue with the course that could be resolved, isn't? Things like that. But yeah, track 1st and foremost, the other stuff you can live with (but it makes it more enjoyable if it's all good).

 

[Val]

3 essentials for me

A good course
Plenty of comps
Online booking facility.

Which ones are you considering?

 

[pbrown7582]

3 essentials for me

A good course
Plenty of comps
Online booking facility.

?

that's the main thing s for me too.

 

[jamielaing]

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. For me firstly it's the course then comps, then booking system then practice facilities.

It needs to be a long course for me so the selection process was quite limited to start with in central Edinburgh where land is at a premium!

Friendliness of the club is important too but I do feel that every club has it's good and bad members so I don't consider this one to try and judge. It will be strange leaving a club where I know everyone and can talk to most people to being annonymous elsewhere!

I can't belive I never thought about the ale!!!!

I think I do need to consider the access to the course and what it is like in the winter also!

 

[AmandaJR]

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses. For me firstly it's the course then comps, then booking system then practice facilities.

It needs to be a long course for me so the selection process was quite limited to start with in central Edinburgh where land is at a premium!

Friendliness of the club is important too but I do feel that every club has it's good and bad members so I don't consider this one to try and judge. It will be strange leaving a club where I know everyone and can talk to most people to being annonymous elsewhere!

I can't belive I never thought about the ale!!!!

I think I do need to consider the access to the course and what it is like in the winter also!

You're a guy - you'll be fine. It's the women who tend to be the problem in my experience!

Last time we looked to move I ranked a number of criteria out of 10 and hoped a clear winner would be revealed. Criteria such as:

Location/Ease of travel to and from the course.
Course Conditions (each marked separately) Greens, Rough, Bunkers, Winter Closure etc
Course Layout
Practice Facilities
Clubhouse Facilities (each marked separately) Changing, Bar/Food, Atmosphere
Mixed Comps
Standard of Lady Golfer (sadly couldn't find out the ratio of nice ones to...let's just say less than nice!)
Reciprocal Golf
Cost

Etc...

 

[duncan mackie]

Go to the clubhouse for a drink lunchtime Sat - this will tell you everything you need to know about the membership.
The course is the course.
Access booking and administration are important but also look at the otice boards when you visit - are they kept up to date, are their booking sheets and how full how far out. Knockout boards at this time of year tell a really strong story - good entries? Are rounds up to date?
While at the bar also keep an eye on the first tee - busy, structured etc all tell a story.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have a bit of a tick list.

Playability of the course (will it challenge me all of the time)
Condition of the course
Cost and access (can I afford it and how long does it take to get there from home/work)
Access to comps, roll ups and getting a game
Atmosphere in the clubhouse and decent food and drink
Good practice facilities
Neat functional locker room
Good professional and decently stocked shop

The first four would be deal breakers I think but it depends on what you're looking for. Go in there have a nosey and don't be afraid to ask questions