What would you do?

[Stub]

I play at a members' club and we have just been informed that next year's subscription is increasing by £50 or 7.7%. The club is making a profit this year on the existing subscription income and the increased revenue is stated to be for capital investment in the clubhouse etc. over the next five years.

Much has been invested in the playing facilities and they are among the best in the area, the clubhouse, pro shop etc. are modern and presentable although the locker rooms might benefit from a refurbishment. The nearest alternative club for me will be around £200 cheaper next year, their facilities are not as good although they have a challenging and well maintained course and a modern well presented clubhouse.

Many members who travel 20 miles or so to the club are muttering about looking for alternatives. What would you do?

 

[Deleted member 18121]

given that scenario....pay the money, no question.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I would look at it if they were not putting an increase on subs then what would you do?

 

[Duckster]

So you only pay £650 a year and the nearest other course would be £450. TBH, I'd seriously have a look at saving £200.

 

[pokerjoke]

I would pay no worries.
It sounds like your club is forward thinking and trying to get the best for its members,the
grass is not always greener elsewhere.
If it does come down to the extra £50 spend less in the clubhouse to compensate.

 

[Berger]

I play at a members' club and we have just been informed that next year's subscription is increasing by £50 or 7.7%. The club is making a profit this year on the existing subscription income and the increased revenue is stated to be for capital investment in the clubhouse etc. over the next five years.

Much has been invested in the playing facilities and they are among the best in the area, the clubhouse, pro shop etc. are modern and presentable although the locker rooms might benefit from a refurbishment. The nearest alternative club for me will be around £200 cheaper next year, their facilities are not as good although they have a challenging and well maintained course and a modern well presented clubhouse.

Many members who travel 20 miles or so to the club are muttering about looking for alternatives. What would you do?

It depends on the context and what is most important to you.

Your membership is increasing £50 but is this the first time it has increased for a few years? If they are making major improvements to the clubhouse with the money then £50 is not a big price to pay. My membership goes up around £20-30 a year and for the last 4 years we've had a development levy of £95 a year to pay for major renovations to the clubhouse.

You mentioned the cheaper club doesn't have as good facilities. If that's important to you then you need to weigh up if having an extra £200 in your back pocket will make up for that.

Personally speaking, if i was really happy at the current club and could afford the increase i would be staying put.

 

[guest100718]

A decent course for 200 less? Do it.

 

[Foxholer]

If you enjoy playing there, pay it this year.

But watch both clubs to see whether your particular focus has been improved and re-assess next year.

The above assumes that you chose the current club on similar basis originally and picked the current one for the better facilities.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Is there any saving on travelling a shorter distance to your current club (assuming it is closer). What facilities do you use at your current club, and balance them against the "other" club. Chances are, I'd just pay an extra £50. It works out to be £4ish per month...a pint or two. Is it worth leaving your current club, which you have said is one of the best in the area?

 

[pbrown7582]

if your current clubs suits you needs best stay for £1 a week. How far away is the other club in relation you may save £20o in subs but pay it out in petrol?

 

[Doh]

You say the money is for development for the next 5 years, I would want to know the clubs plans for subs increases over that period. If it going to be £50 each year I would be walking. if it's just a one off fine.

 

[Val]

Under a quid a week, no brainer but to stay

 

[CMAC]

I play at a members' club and we have just been informed that next year's subscription is increasing by £50 or 7.7%. The club is making a profit this year on the existing subscription income and the increased revenue is stated to be for capital investment in the clubhouse etc. over the next five years.

Much has been invested in the playing facilities and they are among the best in the area, the clubhouse, pro shop etc. are modern and presentable although the locker rooms might benefit from a refurbishment. The nearest alternative club for me will be around £200 cheaper next year, their facilities are not as good although they have a challenging and well maintained course and a modern well presented clubhouse.

Many members who travel 20 miles or so to the club are muttering about looking for alternatives. What would you do?

you usually get what you pay for- no brainer and at under a £1 per week

 

[Curls]

I'd pay for the better (and improving) course, but everyone has their own financial position to consider so if £200 makes a big difference then fair enough you have to go with your gut.

 

[Break90]

50 quid increase plus 200 quid cheaper elewhere, thats about a fiver a week.

Not worth moving IMO

 

[full_throttle]

I would be looking to stay, but keeping an eye out for any improvements, if them improvements were not forthcoming such as planning reg's if required or solid proposals in writing, then next year I'd be going elsewhere.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

If I could afford it and was happy to pay it I'd stay. (I wouldn't be driving 20 miles to get there though)

 

[Blue in Munich]

I play at a members' club and we have just been informed that next year's subscription is increasing by £50 or 7.7%. The club is making a profit this year on the existing subscription income and the increased revenue is stated to be for capital investment in the clubhouse etc. over the next five years.

Much has been invested in the playing facilities and they are among the best in the area, the clubhouse, pro shop etc. are modern and presentable although the locker rooms might benefit from a refurbishment. The nearest alternative club for me will be around £200 cheaper next year, their facilities are not as good although they have a challenging and well maintained course and a modern well presented clubhouse.

Many members who travel 20 miles or so to the club are muttering about looking for alternatives. What would you do?

Surely this is the answer? Even at £700 with the increase you are paying £14 a week for unlimited golf at a facility that is among the best in the area. The alternative is £9 per week. Are you actually saving that much when you factor in the inferior facilities and course? Obviously I don't know your financial circumstances, but a fiver a week hardly seems excessive for the difference; surely that could be saved elsewhere? Or are you unhappy for some other reason?

 

[Wooky]

Me & the Mrs are on our hols in the Canaries at the moment, playing golf.
We have played with couples of differing nationalities every day & I have come to the conclusion, that we are extremely lucky in the UK to have the vast choice of clubs that we do & also how little we pay for our golf in comparison to the rest of Europe.

The price's that the European's pay for their golf are eye watering compared to ours & they certainly don't have the same proliferation of nice member clubs that we have.
I live in the south west of the UK & pay around the £800 mark to be a member of a quite nice member club.
We have a local agreement with other clubs in the area, where we can play at each other's courses for £12.50
Most other local clubs charge between £800 - £1000 per annum.
I think the op is still getting a bargain, even with a £50 increase.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If the course is one of the best then for an extra quid per week I'd stay rather than go for a cheaper but not as good option