What do you look for in a golf club?

[fastmover2]

As the title suggests what do you look for/expect from a golf club/course when you play as a visitor or member?

To get things started my main considerations are the following:

Overall Condition
Quality of design (challenge and playability)
Quality/Speed of greens
Pleasant locality (i.e not in the middle of a housing development like many USA courses)
Value for money

 

[TonyN]

To be quite honest I don't look for anything. I play a course based on peoples advice. I make my mind up when I am there. A good score usually helps with a thumbs up.

 

[bobmac]

Good greens, interesting holes, good practice facilities, friendly members, good selection of members wanting lessons and draught cider and good food served by friendly bar staff.
Does that place exist?

 

[TonyN]

Bob,Yeah my club sounds like that, not sure about draught cider though, maybe, they have alot of stuff there.

Only one thing our course ain't got is a range. We have a pitching area for wedges, we have a bunker and chipping green and a seperate putting green. The pro said In The summer the greenkeepers mow an area on the 5th to use for longer shots like a range so it's not to bad!

 

[theeaglehunter]

Good greens, interesting holes, good practice facilities, friendly members, good selection of members wanting lessons and draught cider and good food served by friendly bar staff.
Does that place exist?

My place would seemingly fit all your criteria in choosing a club Bob

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It depends on whether it is a club to join or to visit. If it is a club to join it must be a good year round challenge and ideally on tees (if not greens all year). It must have a full competition diary including stableford, medals and inter-club matches. Ideally the competitions will be drawn each time. It should have a grss practice area, chipping area, practice bunker and a putting green. The clubhouse should be well maintained and the atmosphere in the bar warm and welcoming. Hold on that's just described Ascot.

If I am visiting a club it should be value for money, in good condition, particularly the greens and tees and be welcoming to visitors. A decent changing room and a friendly welcome in the 19th

 

[Imurg]

To join?
Good course with tees and greens in good condition. Holes need to be well designed with some thought, not just plonked down. Sometimes overlooked but I think a decent car park is needed - too many times I've had to struggle through puddles and potholes. Good changing facilities and a good bar with friendly staff. A practice area to include green, bunker, and long game areas. Plenty of friendly members, drawn competitions (plenty of them) and a good atmosphere in the club.

To visit?
See above........

As well as that I want value for money........

 

[fastmover2]

Imurg, how do your drawn comps operate? Just wondered as our comps are frequently undersubscribed so I was wondering if this might be something we could look at.

 

[fastmover2]

It depends on whether it is a club to join or to visit. If it is a club to join it must be a good year round challenge and ideally on tees (if not greens all year). It must have a full competition diary including stableford, medals and inter-club matches. Ideally the competitions will be drawn each time. It should have a grss practice area, chipping area, practice bunker and a putting green. The clubhouse should be well maintained and the atmosphere in the bar warm and welcoming. friendly welcome in the 19th

Pretty much describes my club too. Very interested in this drawn competitions thing seems a good way of getting people to mix and avoid cliques!

 

[HarryMonk]

Good course,is a priority, also a friendly and welcoming inviroment and value for money IMO

 

[mattdeeks]

I'm not a member anywhere and havn't been but normally I look for golf courses that been recomended by friends or courses that are fairly local to get to.

I would like to see more practice chipping areas at clubs though.

 

[Smiffy]

An interesting mix of holes, a challenge, and a course that is in good condition. You could have the best bar, the best changing rooms, the friendliest staff in the world. But if the course is crap, I wouldn't go back there again.

 

[Imurg]

Imurg, how do your drawn comps operate? Just wondered as our comps are frequently undersubscribed so I was wondering if this might be something we could look at.

Fastmover - there is a sheet up on the board in the changing room with different slots for times. If you want to tee off between 8 and 8.30 you put your name in that slot etc etc.
The Sec then randomly draws cards from each slot in 3 balls and you 3 play together. Obviuosly if there are only 3 in the slot and its the same 3 every time there's not much you can do about it but there is an element of mystery as to who you are playing with. 4 times between 8 and 8.30 mean up to 12 players to draw from.

 

[Cernunnos]

Accessability has to be the first issue. How easy & quickly can I get to the course I wish to play?

Do I like the course I am looking at.?
Does the course offer a challenge? Are there a good variety of hole designs & hole lengths, yet feeling as if it is one complete course rather than simply a collection of holes? Does the course drain well? Are the greens of a quality I like of a reasonable speed? Is there good quality sand in the bunkers? Are the tee boxes well kept.
Is the course long enough to make it worth playing, yet not so long to become a slog?

Value for money. Does it make sense to become a member rather than turning up to play?

Is the club friendly. Do I get a friendly reception from the proshop & the other members. I need to feel welcome.

Is the club free from too much politics? Does the club a relaxed atmosphere.? Are there no silly rules & restrictions to spoil the enjoyment of playing?