Welcome Pack

[Lord Tyrion]

I know there was a thread on here a few months ago about welcome packs for new members but I can't find it. Anyway, when I joined my new club the introduction and information given was non existent so now that I have joined the men's committee I want to try and introduce a basic welcome and information sheet. Plenty on here are at clubs that do this so I would like your help please. The things that spring to mind are as follows:

Noticeboard location
Club Website
How to book tee times
How to book a competition time
How to enter on the day
How Did I Do
How to find upcoming competitions
Friendly matches inc sweeps etc
Details on the practice area
How to buy range balls
Bar hours
Catering hours
Key club officials

Anything I have missed that springs to mind? We no longer have a pro shop so we can not give a pitch repairer, ball marker etc that I know some clubs give out.

 

[Capella]

If you have code locks (like on toilets, changing rooms, caddie room etc.) you should include the codes for that. Also emergency telephone numbers (club office, pro shop, bar). Information on dress code, local rules and etiquette (like where to put the bloody bunker rake and where not to change your shoes) if those exist. Do you have a local pro? In that case information about that, including contact details, would also be good.

 

[Capella]

Oh, and maybe you can give out a small rule book? They can be ordered via randa to hand out/lay out at your club, I don't know how much they charge for those, though.

 

[ADB]

Bag tag with your name
Club diary with all competitions
Details of any reciprocal arrangements and how to use them
Details of how to obtain a handicap (for new members)
Which members to avoid playing with at all costs

 

[jim8flog]

We have both a Club Rules and Regulations book and a Rules /Handbook for the Course, Comps, Range Times, Local Rules and similar so our welcome pack just has to point out where to find them.

All key club officials have there photos on the notice board (still amazing that some members cannot recognize or name the Current Captain some years).

All our noticeboards are really obvious but there is a very large percentage of the members who do not read them, including the Board specially used for Temporary Local Rules.

 

[PaulyMcK]

Information on how to book their mates or visitors up for a round to show off the new course they have joined.

 

[Coffey]

Lockers/Changing rooms if you have them. What time they close, how to get a locker key (costs etc.)

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

When I joined my club pretty much everything in the OP was covered at my interview ( yes THAT interview that people seem to have an issue with but which clearly had it's uses!)

Do you have an interview process at your club LT?

 

[Orikoru]

When I joined my club I just went down there and met the club secretary, he told me all of that information face to face. Showed me around the place, told me what sort of competitions they have on, told me about their website where the fixtures are, and Howdidido as well. He pretty much covered everything in half an hour.

 

[Slab]

We have both a Club Rules and Regulations book and a Rules /Handbook for the Course, Comps, Range Times, Local Rules and similar so our welcome pack just has to point out where to find them. .......

Not being picky (well maybe a bit) but the phrases 'Welcome Pack' and 'Club Rules & Regulations' seem to be a little conflicting

i.e getting a sheet of rules & regs when you first join might not be the most welcoming experience

(I don't doubt having the club regs is important, just highlighting that it might not be the best way to issue them)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

When I joined my club pretty much everything in the OP was covered at my interview ( yes THAT interview that people seem to have an issue with but which clearly had it's uses!)

Do you have an interview process at your club LT?

Nope, I had a hand over your cheque and your in process . One of the issues at my place is it is privately owned, not a members club. The new owner, the club was taken over in March, is not very people friendly and there is an issue of what is his responsibility as the owner of the overall club and what is the members responsibility. We currently have a state of flux where no one is taking charge of certain aspects and so they are being neglected.

I would like a system where when you joined someone took you around the club and showed you how everything worked. That is not going to happen at the moment however so the next best thing is for the members to provide a sheet with all relevant information on it to help a new member settle in and not have to ask the endless questions I have had to ask. Not ideal but a step forward from where we are at the moment. Baby steps D4S, baby steps.

 

[Capella]

Not being picky (well maybe a bit) but the phrases 'Welcome Pack' and 'Club Rules & Regulations' seem to be a little conflicting

i.e getting a sheet of rules & regs when you first join might not be the most welcoming experience

(I don't doubt having the club regs is important, just highlighting that it might not be the best way to issue them)

I think it is much more welcoming than not telling the new member of those rules and then expecting him/her to abide them. If the rules and regulations are of a nature (or presented in a way) that would make anyone feel les welcome, then maybe it is time to change those rules, not to shut up about them but keep them in place.

The worst fear for a new member, especially a beginning golfer, is usually to do something "wrong" the first few times they play on the course or in their first comps. So every guidance to avoid that should be more than welcome. And if it is something as stupid as: "shorts can only be worn with socks that go up to your knees" or "rakes have to be replaced one third inside the bunker with the prongs facing North", then I'd still would want to learn about it as soon as possible, before I make a mistake.

 

[SAPCOR1]

Is there a club website? If so you can have a new members section with all the relevant information on there. If it needs updating (contact numbers, opening hours etc) you only have to do it once for everybody.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Much of the information should be on the website but that is an issue in itself. Equally, there is something more friendly and welcoming about giving something helpful to someone.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We hold a welcome meeting for new members every 4-6 weeks and have introduced a buddy system where a committee or established member takes a new member under their wing. We make sure they know about the competitions, roll up groups and times, dress code etc. Seems to be working well

 

[TheDiablo]

When I joined my club pretty much everything in the OP was covered at my interview ( yes THAT interview that people seem to have an issue with but which clearly had it's uses!)

Do you have an interview process at your club LT?

Fully agree – people often forget than any interview (job/golf/other) is a 2 way process that allows you, the candidate, to ask questions to qualify whether the position/club is right for you. With the investment in joining a club not an insignificant one this is crucial.

Having just been through the process myself in joining a club I was impressed – as it allowed me to get a couple of answers that convinced me it was finally time to end the years of being a nomad and join a club. Not so sure on the requirement to be ‘Played in’ but that’s for another thread.

(I also got a decent enough Welcome Pack)

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Fully agree – people often forget than any interview (job/golf/other) is a 2 way process that allows you, the candidate, to ask questions to qualify whether the position/club is right for you. With the investment in joining a club not an insignificant one this is crucial.

Having just been through the process myself in joining a club I was impressed – as it allowed me to get a couple of answers that convinced me it was finally time to end the years of being a nomad and join a club. Not so sure on the requirement to be ‘Played in’ but that’s for another thread.

(I also got a decent enough Welcome Pack)

Good point well made. A lot of clubs have made the interview process far less daunting than it use to be many years ago and that's a good step. It is as mentioned the way you can find out more about the place and whether the place feels like home. It's a lot of cash to spend so you need to make sure (or as much as you can) that it's the right place for you. A good welcome pack and a warm welcome once you're in goes a lot way to reinforcing that

 

[flacofranco]

HI, everyone, i am new to the forum and i am looking for advice or a how-to guide to golf beginners as i am a complete novice.? any suggestions?

 

[Slab]

I think it is much more welcoming than not telling the new member of those rules and then expecting him/her to abide them. If the rules and regulations are of a nature (or presented in a way) that would make anyone feel les welcome, then maybe it is time to change those rules, not to shut up about them but keep them in place.

The worst fear for a new member, especially a beginning golfer, is usually to do something "wrong" the first few times they play on the course or in their first comps. So every guidance to avoid that should be more than welcome. And if it is something as stupid as: "shorts can only be worn with socks that go up to your knees" or "rakes have to be replaced one third inside the bunker with the prongs facing North", then I'd still would want to learn about it as soon as possible, before I make a mistake.

I'd agree with the bold bit and I think that's whats need to change

Providing a list of rules & regs certainly addresses the problem but it doesn't fix it so that the problem doesn't happen in the first place

The very fact some new members even have a 'worst fear' by the experience of joining a golf club means something is very wrong

Re the 2nd bit I bolded, again you should never be in the position of being so paranoid about making a mistake after joining a golf club. Too many instances of over the top reactions by self appointed course captains in response to instances where a new member might not comply with a rule/reg
Providing the rules/regs to say welcome only adds fuel to this

A welcome pack should be designed to cater for new members who are filled with excitement and anticipation not paranoia & fear

 

[shane329]

I just recently joined a club and as a beginner there are a few things I think would be good to inform new members of, particularly newbies to the sport like myself.

1. Simple explanation of the handicap system and what the club requires you to do in order to gain your first. ie, who must sign your 3 cards, what competitions you may play before in order to get hc etc.
2. A list of club members and their handicaps so you can book yourself into tee times with players of similar ability.
3. A tutorial on adding your score into the course computer
4. A guide or demo on how to correctly fix divots and pitch marks. (and how to put broken tees and cigarette butts in the bin!!)

but as Slab mentioned, its important that a new member is made feel welcome rather than inundated with do and donts. it can be an intimidating experience.