When should clubs time renewals?

[SVB]

From the other thread on standing orders etc, it seems most clubs have renewal in January or March when it is cold and wet and the 'don't think I'll renew' option must be to the fore in anyone's mind who is marginal?

Would it it not be better to have renewals in June for example, give folks the spring / early summer to get back into it and then perhaps fewer will decide to leave if they are enjoying themselves again and the course is back in shape?

thoughts?

simon.

 

[chrisd]

Good post. We changed from October to April and I hope it helps retain members

 

[Hobbit]

1st Aug for me.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have to say at the moment, given the improvements to the course over the last few years, especially the greens, I'm happy and it doesn't enter my head not to renew and that if we do have temps, have to close a nine for excessive rainfall etc, it's winter and one of those things.

 

[LIG]

March or April are the best months imho.
The days are becoming noticeably longer and minds tend to look foward to playing in bright sunshine. Positive thoughts that usually lead to a willingness to spend. No-one would look favourably on making a large outlay at the start of winter when the propsects of even getting a game are somewhat diminished due the poor weather and reduced daylight.

 

[davidg2010uk]

Having them early in the year also helps with financial planning for the coming season.

 

[pbrown7582]

Ours was moved to April first and we pay over 9 months on D/D so no payments jan feb and march.

 

[Lanark_Golfer]

My last club was 1st March, current club is 1st April. I pay with 9 standing orders July-March. Start of the new season is a positive time for me

 

[patricks148]

ours has to be paid by the 31st Jan, paid mine before Christmas, i prefer to get it out the way.

 

[CMAC]

From the other thread on standing orders etc, it seems most clubs have renewal in January or March when it is cold and wet and the 'don't think I'll renew' option must be to the fore in anyone's mind who is marginal?

Would it it not be better to have renewals in June for example, give folks the spring / early summer to get back into it and then perhaps fewer will decide to leave if they are enjoying themselves again and the course is back in shape?

thoughts?

simon.

Good idea, plus January is a tight -usually 5 or 6 week pay month - just after Christmas, worst weather so when the invoice arrives it's harder to say yes quickly. April would be a good month to possibly retain more members and get fees in quickly as people playing more.

 

[Blue in Munich]

We used to be calendar year, paid 16 months subs at the last renewal & will be due 1st May this year, accompanied by a rule change; apparently under the old system some less scrupulous members were going to social membership in January because of the old war wound or such similar cobblers, only to miraculously recover when the weather improved & revert to full membership, thus saving themselves a few quid over the winter months.

 

[ScienceBoy]

January/Feb is probably a tough time to ask for most budgets, unless you have decent money to play with all year round.

I would prefer a March/June for my finances but only because of how family events stack up in late summer and over the winter, which is different for everyone. Winter bills do kick you when you are down too unless you pay a standard DD.

 

[Bobirdie]

My old club asked for them in decmber which was no good. February now which is better. Ideally april for me would be great

 

[louise_a]

We get letters at end of March and have to be paid by the end of April.

 

[SAPCOR1]

On the anniversary of the date joined, which also helps with regular cash flow for the club..

 

[julsk10]

My club renews in February, although I pay 12 monthly payments. Club moved from 10 instalments to 12 a few years ago to ensure there was some cash flow all year round

 

[DCB]

I'd have thought that since the season usually gets going at the start of April, then march would be the ideal time to renew.

We put out the renewal letters after the AGM in early Feb with payment due by end of March.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Said it before by middle of the summer should be a no brainer if you are looking to retain as many members as possible.

Studies have proven people are more likely to renew subscription in the summer when the weather is good and people generally are feeling better about themselves. Add into this that in the middle of summer golfers would have been out a lot and feel like they are getting value for money. Also they may well not want to stop membership as they are on a roll and their handicap is (hopefully) coming down, it is a lot more difficult to stop something when you are half way through it than before you even start.

 

[John_Findlay]

I'm not a golf administrator so I don't know what time of year best suits golf clubs to renew... but I'd agree with the others on here who say that during the summer would seem to be the best time to encourage new renewals. Let's face it, if you're getting in to your golf nicely again by June, playing in the sun and having a ball then you're not going to give all that up if you're obliged to renew at the beginning of July. I'd have my cheque book out in a flash.

As it is, my own situation is that I paid a whole year's membership in advance on 29th May last year. Edinburgh Leisure were doing a 25% discount deal. I only paid £216 for 6 courses. So I'll renew again at the end of May.

 

[duncan mackie]

Said it before by middle of the summer should be a no brainer if you are looking to retain as many members as possible.

we moved to June from 1/3 for the reasons you cite.

it's probably easier to look at when it's daft to have your renewal/decision date than definitely when's the best - anytime 1/11 - 1/3 being blindly obviously a poor choice!