What Would Entice You to Spend More Time/Money in the Clubhouse

[GB72]

We have had the debates on whether you should use the clubhouse more so, for those that do not use it that often, What little things would you change that may get you to spend more time or money at the club. I am not talking dress code here, that one has been done already, nor am talking major structural changes that would cost the club a fortune. What I am looking at is small, simple changes that could make a difference. For example, for me they would be:

1. Open earlier. The club sells a really nice bacon roll and very nice fresh coffee. The only problem is that they do not serve them until 10.00 when the bar opens. At my old club I would often go up early for a spot of breakfast and a couple of cups of coffee and I miss that. I like good coffee and am happy to pay extra for it over using a machine.

2. If I have to use the coffee machine, please move it. I like to head up, have a bit of a warm up then have a coffee. Problem is that, even though we have a spike bar, the coffee machine is in the other bar and so if I want to hit some balls then have a coffee I have to change my shoes. Annoying.

3. Speed up the service just a little. None of the food is that complicated but there is often a half our wait for even basic fodder.

4. Have some more relaxed, comfy chairs rather wooden ones. It creates a more relaxed environment.

5. Have the option to buy a drink in a takeaway cup. On a cold day I would happily take a large cuppa on to the first tee with me.

Small things that would encourage me to spend more. Do not get me wrong, the cubhouse at Belton is pretty good but some small changes would certainly extract more money from me.

 

[Rooter]

More time is the big thing for me, however, my place does have a coffee machine that is coin operated and has takeaway cups, and its in the spike bar, so thumbs up for that!

But for example, i played last sunday and teed off at 8, finished by 11, went to go in for a coffee and dissect our game, no. the bar was closed. yes we could of got a coffee from the machine, but just didnt bother in the end.

we now have free wifi which is good, i think the only thing is point 4 from above, more relaxed needed, our spike bar is a bit 80's cafe like, need a few sofas etc.. but would that make me stay and spend more? probably not, but it would be nicer while i was in there. my biggest issue is time, thats life full stop! not just golf!

 

[Andy808]

The range open longer in the winter would be nice. It's flood lit but too few people use it after dark so it's never open after dark.
No problem with taking drinks out on the course, I've taken a mug of coffee off the the tee on many occasions when I've been running late.
Having the bar open later in the evening would also be good but not profitable unfortunately.

 

[GB72]

More time is the big thing for me, however, my place does have a coffee machine that is coin operated and has takeaway cups, and its in the spike bar, so thumbs up for that!

But for example, i played last sunday and teed off at 8, finished by 11, went to go in for a coffee and dissect our game, no. the bar was closed. yes we could of got a coffee from the machine, but just didnt bother in the end.

we now have free wifi which is good, i think the only thing is point 4 from above, more relaxed needed, our spike bar is a bit 80's cafe like, need a few sofas etc.. but would that make me stay and spend more? probably not, but it would be nicer while i was in there. my biggest issue is time, thats life full stop! not just golf!

I was going to mention free Wi-Fi but I could already hear the sounds of pitchforks sharpening at the mere suggestion of using a tablet or a phone (not to make calls) in the clubhouse.

 

[Pin-seeker]

This :cheers:

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Nothing, I go to the course to play golf....not to socialise.

 

[tsped83]

View attachment 7520
This :cheers:

Yahoo!

 

[Curls]

View attachment 7520
This :cheers:

We have a winner.



For me the limiting factor is how far away I live. If I could walk home or even ask the wife to pick me up after golf I'd be in there a lot more but as it's close to an hours drive I have a coke if I'm driving, a pint if my partner is and then we're on the road.

Shame, it's a nice clubhouse.

 

[pheel88]

As Andy said opening times is the biggest one but unfortunately it isn't profitable for them to do it. I played a twilight session at a club near me so headed out at 4. Back to the clubhouse at 7:30ish and the bar is shut and the clubhouse is all locked up. In fairness they do warn you to park your car outside the barriers if you are finishing after 6:30 at the weekend but it does mean you can't chillout after a game.

Conversely I went to the range at a different local course on a Friday night and went in for a drink at around 8ish and didn't leave till 10:30. Me and my mate were the only people in there but they didn't rush us at all and had comfy sofas in there. The result is I would pay more to go back to the second club than the first however £10 green fees after 4pm in summer is a good offer.

 

[Slab]

I've gone from never using the clubhouse at old course to using 9/10 on current courses

The differences between the two couldn't be incorporated into the old course simply from a financial perspective as they are worlds apart in terms of available budgets etc so I wont judge them on that but what makes me spend now is mostly that absolutely every facility is open when the course opens, that's the reception, shop, range, restaurant, halfway hut, lockers etc etc

First rule in business...be open for business!

 

[Imurg]

Time is the biggest factor for me.
I play midweek only.
I tweak my diary so I get free mornings or afternoons to play. Often I have to get straight off to work or simply don't have enough time to go in to the bar, order food and a drink, wait for it to be served, then eat drink and get to work without rushing.
Sometimes I do have time and I'll partake of what's on offer.
So a lack of Time is what prohibits me from using the Clubhouse more.

 

[GB72]

I've gone from never using the clubhouse at old course to using 9/10 on current courses

The differences between the two couldn't be incorporated into the old course simply from a financial perspective as they are worlds apart in terms of available budgets etc so I wont judge them on that but what makes me spend now is mostly that absolutely every facility is open when the course opens, that's the reception, shop, range, restaurant, halfway hut, lockers etc etc

First rule in business...be open for business!

Totally agree with that. At my old course we used to meet up in the clubhouse for a coffee and a spot of breakfast and sort out the format we were playing, teams, bets etc before we headed to the first tee and we were not the only ones. Sadly, I went back to my old club last week and they are also shut in the mornings now and there is a coffee machine in the pro shop (which is very overpriced).

 

[Gazboy]

A phone signal so I can occupy myself while waiting for my partners. A coffee machine that has a swipe/pin system so you don;t have to worry about it accepting coins/having change. After the other thread where I worked out I was spending £70 a month in the club house I am going to use it less (spent nothing today) and move to a local club.

 

[fundy]

I use it more than enough already (just had a lovely all day brekkie ) Ours could do with a bit of redecoration, earlier start for brekkie too (though rarely affects me) otherwise they do just fine

 

[Darlophil]

Is there a possible market for alcohol vending machines?

When you're in the situation of finishing an early morning/ late evening round and the clubhouse bar isn't open you could still have a drink with you're playing partners and disect the round.

I'm sure most members at clubs could be responsible to put used glasses at a collection point to be cleaned when the bar reopens and its not like it needs to be stocked up with that much variety (generic larger/bitter/cider) then coffee machine to the side as most clubs seem to have.

 

[swanny32]

I tend to think our clubhouse has everything, except a coffee machine but waiting times at the bar aren't that big so doesn't make much difference and the coffee is probably better behind the bar than your average machine. Bar is open from 7am every day.

Just wish it was a bit bloody cheaper.

 

[fundy]

Is there a possible market for alcohol vending machines?

When you're in the situation of finishing an early morning/ late evening round and the clubhouse bar isn't open you could still have a drink with you're playing partners and disect the round.

I'm sure most members at clubs could be responsible to put used glasses at a collection point to be cleaned when the bar reopens and its not like it needs to be stocked up with that much variety (generic larger/bitter/cider) then coffee machine to the side as most clubs seem to have.

Complete non starter due to licensing/under age drinking

 

[JustOne]

After the other thread where I worked out I was spending £70 a month in the club house I am going to use it less (spent nothing today) and move to a local club.

:whoo:

 

[Jdb2005]

Really enjoy my pint in clubhouse after my golf and it is a nice sociable clubhouse. However I'd like nothing better than playing around on a Sunday into the clubhouse to watch super Sunday on sky sports , but we don't have it so I'd opt for that. It would save our lads heading into town for a few ales and soccer

 

[cookelad]

I've not had any food out of the clubhouse kitchen since I joined, mainly because I've not missed the halfway hut since I've been there either!