Why Force A Bar Tab Credit

[3PuttCharlie]

I've decided to leave my current club, so I've been checking out the membership options of a few clubs I fancy and I notice some clubs expect you to add additional funds to a card that you can use in the bar (and I assume pro shop / club restaurant etc)

I'm sure if the food & drinks & more importantly the service is good I will spend my money with them while I'm at the club.

but to force people to do it strikes a little of desparation

Am I missing something?

 

[brendy]

Its a more productive cloaked method of hiking membership, at least this way you are getting something extra for your money. Say the social levy is is £50, the club will probably still make 30ish out of that in profit so it beats putting prices up instead.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We did have a compulsory £50 levy but the club did away with it because there were members complaining that they weren't spending it and losing it at the end of the year. Perhaps if they ventured in after a round instead of changing in the car park and going straight off they would but that's another story.

With our bar card you get 15% on prices compared to paying cash so members do get a benefit. It makes buying food and drink easier and no need to carry that much cash around. I know other clubs like Sand Martins were asking for £200+ mandatory bar credit on top of the £1800+ fees so it makes the annual cost over 2K. I like the way we do ours now where you can put as much or as little on to start with when you join and then top it up as and when

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

I have seen that most places around me too. I thought that it might be a tactic to get you into the bar/clubhouse for a drink or food etc and then once you'v been in hopefully keep coming back!

 

[3PuttCharlie]

Cheers fellas...makes sense.

But maybe another thing golf clubs need to look at to attract more people...if I think it's a little off...I'm sure a lot of others do too.

In money terms: I wonder how many potential new members get put off by it (lost revenue) versus the money they make from their already fee paying loyal members

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Yes you are missing something. You are joining a golf CLUB, not a golf COURSE. If you just want to play golf then go home without any of the benefits of joining a club than that's fine. But if you join a club I think people should make the effort to integrate with other members by having a drink after their game, attend social functions etc.

The levy at most clubs is about £50, it's only a pound a week. Surely you are going to spend that much during the course of the year?

 

[thecraw's ghost]

It also gives the club an immediate cash injection straight into cash profits.

Very sensible way to get a fast profitable injection and most bar prepaid systems offer an incentive of a discounted rate on prices.

For a change I have nothing negative to say about their use.

 

[ventura]

We have it at our club but only £20 compulsory, you can use it to pay for comps or in the bar, plus it gives you 10-15% off food and drink.

I think £200 would be a bit much to comitt to up front but I'm probably not far off spending that since joining this year.

 

[Val]

It also gives the club an immediate cash injection straight into cash profits.

Very sensible way to get a fast profitable injection and most bar prepaid systems offer an incentive of a discounted rate on prices.

For a change I have nothing negative to say about their use.

Agree with this, it stops clubs having an overdraft for bar stock, basically you are paying for drinks up front.

As much as I understand it I'm not a fan as the fee is really part of your membership, you can't opt in or out. It wouldnt bother me in the slightest as I spend more than £50 a year in the bar anyway but I'd prefer the choice

 

[Andy]

Levvy's are great. Surely members cant be too tight to at least spend £50 in a season?

Club is the magic word when joining. None of the car park brigade.

 

[3PuttCharlie]

All good points and makes perfect sense now that I know

I do like the idea of being part of the club rather than just playing at a course which I can do with a pay & play fee

I guess I just like the option of deciding for myself

 

[Imurg]

Levvy's are great. Surely members cant be too tight to at least spend £50 in a season?

Club is the magic word when joining. None of the car park brigade.

It's not necessarily down to being tight.
People join clubs for other reasons than using the Clubhouse bar afterwards.

Some people only get 4-5 hours a weekend to play. That includes getting to and from the club.
Is it fair that they have to pay extra for something they either can't or don't want to use..?
OK it's only 50 quid or 20 or 100 but it's still extra outlay and in the case of SandMartins could potentially put somone off joining.
I understand the financial side of it and it makes sense from that perspective there are those who join a club purely to play golf, nothing more.

 

[brendy]

Another way of thinking about it is that you have prepaid a night out with the wife/lads in the club with meal and a few drinks paid for. Perfect for a mid month treat.

I suppose its relative too, for some clubs, it is a 15% increase, for others it is only a few %.

 

[thecraw's ghost]

It's not necessarily down to being tight.
People join clubs for other reasons than using the Clubhouse bar afterwards.
Of all the guys I know at my club, 50 doesnt last long even if only used for 4 pints/cokes/coffees every few rounds.
Some people only get 4-5 hours a weekend to play. That includes getting to and from the club.
Is it fair that they have to pay extra for something they either can't or don't want to use..?
OK it's only 50 quid or 20 or 100 but it's still extra outlay and in the case of SandMartins could potentially put somone off joining.
I understand the financial side of it and it makes sense from that perspective there are those who join a club purely to play golf, nothing more.

Golf courses don't want members like that as they are not profitable. Hence the bar levy. It captures people like that and makes a minimal profit.

 

[palindromicbob]

My clubs has it. Basically can be used to pay for comp entry fees or behind the bar. The bar is surprisingly cheap though so hard to burn through it quickly without a nasty hangover. Handy because it means you don't need to bring cash an can be very handy at times when cash flow is tight.

Only problem is you need to remember to spend it. Expires in December.

 

[Andy]

It's not necessarily down to being tight.
People join clubs for other reasons than using the Clubhouse bar afterwards.

Some people only get 4-5 hours a weekend to play. That includes getting to and from the club.
Is it fair that they have to pay extra for something they either can't or don't want to use..?
OK it's only 50 quid or 20 or 100 but it's still extra outlay and in the case of SandMartins could potentially put somone off joining.
I understand the financial side of it and it makes sense from that perspective there are those who join a club purely to play golf, nothing more.

If you join a golf club you should be willing to keep that club in good finances. Every member has to play their part.

 

[stevek1969]

£50 at mine goes on the first week in March and was spent the first Saturday in march ,same every year after our winter final.

 

[williamalex1]

If you don't intend to spend your bar tab levy , some of the more social members might buy it from you at a reduced price.:cheers:

 

[davidg2010uk]

£50 at my club but can only be used at the bar for drinks and not food. Waste of money for me as I always have the car with me so stick with soft drinks on the rare occasion I go into the bar. Usually loose a few quid on it.

 

[ludders]

We have a £50 levy at our club and is only really imposed on those who don't top their cards up throughout the year.
I think it's a good thing although I haven't paid it for the last 2 yars as my card is topped up by about £30 per month.
I was told the other ay by a committee member that we have a member at the club who has over £600 on his bar card and never goes in there. I was also told that it is against the law to take the money back if it is not used in the year