I have decided to bite the bullet and join a club the problem is the club that i would like to join is way out of my price range.

The courses i can afford would be a compromise and i know i would be always wishing i was playing at my 1st choice.

The thing is i need to join a club to make sure i play on a regular basis and get my handicap down.

I bet im not on my own in this predicament the course i want to join is horsley lodge as i play there with my friend who is a member.

Great course Jason, if slightly nearer to Nottingham one I would also love to join.

I agree that Horsley Lodge is a cracking course, I know a couple of members there and do get the occasional round with them.  However, the one thing that would put me off is that the course is effectively closed over the winter.  OK, I understand that they want to look after the course, and the quality does show in the summer, but having 4 months of the year playing off temporary tees, some temporary greens (especially the cracking 17th) and a mats or tees rule off the fairway just wouldn't do it for me.  Probably the best summer greens I've come across in Derbyshire though.

Still, if you do sign up feel free to give me a shout if you need a partner! 

I'd agree with Tim that Horsely Lodge is a nice course, but there is much better value for money to be had in the area.

If you can afford a £1200 joining fee and £900 a year then go for it, but you'd have to play a heck of a lot of golf to get your money's worth at those prices.

There are plenty of courses in the area around the £500-£700 mark, although compared with other areas of the country, I think membership in our area is over-priced.  I've played loads of great courses this year where I've left thinking "if only I lived a bit closer"

Thanks for the feedback guys.

There is no way i can justify joining so it will have to be a cheaper alternative.

I have been looking at ashbourne gc played there a few times and they have an offer on at the minute for an associate membership for 7 days a week at a price of about £400.

Does anybody know what an associate membership is?

I would imagine that you would have to pay some form of reduced green fee everytime you play.

£400 still sounds like quite a lot for Associate membership, but it depends what the terms are.  If you've still got to pay say £10 for each round you play, you've still got a fairly significant outlay.  The advantages are though that you get a club-maintained official handicap and entry into their competitions, albeit on payment of the reduced green fee as John says.

I'd be interested to know the terms of it Jason if your going to find out more.

Whereabouts do you live?

Think you might be right John about the reduced green fees.

I have also been told it might be if you are a member of another club.

Im going to get in touch with the club as the website didnt explain what associate membership was.

James i live in Derby and Ashbourne is only about 20 mins from my house so it is not too far to travel.

I will keep you posted when i find out.

I'm guessing that's about Mickleover then Jason.  I work in Ashbourne so know the area quite well.

Have you tried Mickleover GC?  I don't know what sort of cost membership is there or for a slightly cheaper option Allestree?  I was a member there for a few years about20 years ago and, once you get past the problem of it being a muni, it's not a bad place.  After I'd been playing golf a while I moved to a better course in Chevin which is another option, but i'd imagine now that would be around the £800 mark.

James you were nearly right i live in mackworth.

Ive not played mickleover yet and its only about 1 mile from my home and i dont know how ive managed that lol.

I have checked out the prices pf mickleover and chevin and they are also out of my price range at the minute.

I play allestree on a regular basis and i know what u mean about getting past the problem of it being a muni course.

Have you played maywood 1 of my friends is a member there and i have played there quite a few times problem is its nottingham and traffic to and from there can make the trip a bit to long

Jason, what do you think of Maywood ?   

Hi Darren.

Maywoods ok but it could be a lot better it just needs some money spending on it like a proper golf pro shop that is open more and is also not a portacabin.

Its a friendly club and the clubhouse has just been revamped but the course just needs a bit of tlc.

Think the problem i have mate is i want to be a member of a really good club but cannot justify spending that sort of money.

I think, unfortunately, you largely pay for what you get Jason.  I do however think membership in the Derby area is quite overpriced.  You're generally looking around the £600-£800 mark for clubs that have one course and a bit of a practice area, while if you look at neighbouring areas there's a lot better value for money to be had.

Gainsborough in Lincolnshire is £594 for full membership giving you access to two cracking courses and they've also got a range and practice area and a cracking club house.  Myself and a mate went up to Flamborough Head last week, a cracking links course, and were amazed to find full membership could be had for £421.  There was a house for sale on the boundary of the course, i even went home and looked that up on the Internet!

It sounds like associate membership for £400 at Ashbourne may not be that cheap if you're paying green fees as well.  Your other option is to spend the money playing regular golf in a nomadic way.  For example, I've played 25 different courses this year and loved every minute of it.  I've knocked over 5 shots off my handicap just simply by playing regularly (and a course of lessons last winter).  If you're interested in regular golf, take a look at the county golf league pages in the groups section: http://www.golfshake.com/society/groupView.php?groupID=2871 or our own web site: http://www.countygolfleague.com There are games every month through the winter and social games organised by members most weeks.

It's true what you say James, never really figured out why it's so expensive around here, but if I were looking to join a club I think I would have to plump for Ormonde Fields.  The course has got to be one of the best all round tests of golf in the area.  If you've never played it Jason get down there, it's got the lot.  Not the easiest of places to get to from Mackworth (but is anywhere?).

Have played Maywood a couple of times recently (in disguise) and the course is much better than it used to be - it's actually quite well looked after now and the greens were very good - it's just not that interesting. 

don't do it, read my post.

SDS 

I agree Tim, I'd also go for Ormonde Fields, but even that's £650 a year for just the one course, albeit a good one.

The only things that stops me is all the different courses we've played this year, something I'd never have done if I'd been a member somewhere.

Hi Tim

Yes i have played Ormonde Fields before and i agree it is a good course £650 would be at the top of my price range and it is a bit of a treck straight down a38 but its an option for me cheers.

Hi guys.

Been in touch with Ashbourne Golf Club and the associate membership is the same as full membership only on a saturday and sunday you can only tee off after 12 noon.

No joining fee. 18 months membership for the price of 12. Fixed subcriptions for 10 years. Cannot believe all this for £395.

Sent them an email wednesday night and the pro replied first thing thursday morning saying he would send me the details. Knock at the door today hand delivered by 1 of the members.

Finally found somewhere that does not want to rip you off and its a really friendly club too.