Club memberships

Hello

I'm still a relative newbie to the game since buying my first set of clubs in August 08....I've been bitten by the bug, so much so that myself and a friend (who's been playing much longer than me) are looking at becoming members of a course local to us in the Hampshire/Surrey border.  I have a few courses in mind but a couple of them want to charge a joining fee, a fairly hefty joining fee too!

I presume this is standard practice for private clubs...but my question is, why charge a joining fee when you already have to pay higher annual membership fees than a public pay and play course?.  It seems like money for old rope...or are you buying into the exclusivity of the club etc.  In this financial climate, who's going to have the extra cash tucked away to cough up a joining fee?  Seems really strange or is that just the way that some golf clubs work?

 Your thoughts? or club recommendations in Hampshire/Surrey area.

I suggest you join Sherfield Oaks, which is part of the Crown golf company whereby you can play alll the other coyrses in their group for free any weekday.

Pop down and mention my name and I am sure they will look after you.

Hi Jon

Thanks for your offer.  I know where Sherfield Oaks course is, my sister in law lives at the bottom of the lane where the course entrance is!.  The course is about 30 mins away from me though : (.  My predicament is that we will mainly be playing at the weekends (we work full time) and some twilight golf in late spring/summer, do the crown golf courses give you preferred tee times at weekends etc?  We were looking at Pine Ridge the other day after a session at the range, and it looked as if you paid £750 annual membership, but never got any advantage over a general pay and play golfer at weekends....we might have got that wrong though.  Oak Park is very close to me too!

Hi Richard

I'm in Fleet, Hants.  My closest course is Southwood, but gets hammered at weekends and the drainage really is a problem during wet weather.  They are offering a good membership deal £675 annual subs no joining fee..but with its drainage problems the 18th hole i believe is quite often closed.

Another course I've looked into that's very close to me is the Army Golf club in Farnborough/Aldershot.  Course looks lovely, but they want £800 to join, plus close on a grand annual subs.  I wasn't expecting this!  but, if its good golf, competitions, well mannered people (?) and a nice clubhouse, i guess those are the sorts of figures you have to pay in the South...

I might look into Puttenham too....but its a bit further over for us.  That's not a Crown Golf club then?

Matt, Pine Ridge is a very nice course and only a recent addition to the Crown Golf Portfolio so it has not had the time to build up a really strong membership, and it is still very much a play and pay, because of this.

The Army club is excellent, have not played there for many a year butwas always nicely kept. North Hants in flleet is a great course butjoining there would probably be out of the question as you do not have recognised handicaps yet.

You will not have any trouble getting a tee time at the week-end if you are a member at Sherfield, don't forget there are two very nice courses. I am sure I could get you a deal that you would be pleased with and we have members who live in Fleet.

I am surprised that Richard has not joined a local club in Woking, of which there are some great courses, having played all of them.

Gotcha, Richard, can see your thinking. Three great courses in Woking, I love Worplesdon and West Hill (Played there many times in the sixties. I used to drive my artic in and park alongside the railway lines, Get out of my overalls, have a shower and then have a nice relaxing game. The secretary was a woman and I made a lot of friends there, It did help of course being a scratch golfer.) I notice now that they have gates and a security system just to get into the car park.

Thanks for your information chaps.  I'm going to see what develops with the Army Golf club, play a few courses that are near to us and see what packages they can offer us really.  I'll keep you posted!

 Thanks

I think if you haggle they will drop the joining fee.

This is another example of 'Rip-Off Britain.'

There is no reason for any club having a joining fee, other than to charge you a bit more for the pleasure of being a member of the club.

Always ask about a complimentary round of golf for yourself and a couple of friends.

Most clubs will allow this as it gives them a chance to show you the course/club.

Good luck finding the right club.

Russ

Cheers Russ

I agree that any Joining Fee should be dropped too, it just seems pointless! I'm working with one club secretary who may reduce the joining fee at a particular club, but wont remove it entirely! grrr.  Lets see what happens.

Matt