Cheapest Club Membership in Ireland

ohdatlewis · 20-06-2011 4:23pm #1

Just wondering if anyone knows where i could get information on membership rates nationwide.
I want to join a club this week in order to get my handicap and am wondering where would be best?
At the moment Clonmel is looking the best at €140 for long distance membership.

bigeasy · 20-06-2011 4:35pm

Scarke 99 Euro

http://www.scarkegolf.com/index.html

PhilipMarlowe · 20-06-2011 4:38pm

6 minute Abs. :rolleyes:

mike12 · 20-06-2011 5:59pm

Depends what u are looking for if u are in Dublin and factor in 3 trips to clonmel to get your handicap how cheap will that work out, not sure if there is a rule where you have to play 3 times in comps in your home club to keep a handicap so it may be 6 trips.
U have options around Dublin Where you will get a handicap for around 300, Swords open and Stilouge plus Corballis not sure of the exact details or prices. Then u have Bellewstown 20 mins north of the airport think it's 270 for the year.

jedwardreally · 20-06-2011 11:37pm

Maybe I am grumpy but I get really brassed off with this long distance handicap lark. When a lot of people have inaccurate handicaps donated by clubs they never play it puts the whole idea of handicapping into disrepute and is completely against the spirit of the game. I suggest you join the excellent Corballis links. Play frequently and you will have a lot more enjoyment for your buck than posting cheques to Tipperary!

ohdatlewis · 20-06-2011 11:43pm

Well I'm based in Cork and am under an hours drive from Clonmel. I'm a student and am just looking to get a handicap to be honest.

mike12 · 21-06-2011 8:56am

Most clubs do a really cheap student rate, no point having a handicap in a club where u can't play,playing in opens will cost you more in the long run than joining a local club as a student and playing loads of free golf.
Mike

C.O.Y.B.I.B · 21-06-2011 9:32am

I joined Swords Golf Club this year and its €300 a year with €100 joining fee . Then its €15 for members to play weekends and €10 midweek which is great value as its kept in great condition. There was a big intake this year of members and I think theres a waiting list no.

Vanbis · 21-06-2011 9:36am

mscull wrote: »

I joined Swords Golf Club this year and its €300 a year with €100 joining fee . Then its €15 for members to play weekends and €10 midweek which is great value as its kept in great condition. There was a big intake this year of members and I think theres a waiting list now

I've played this course a few times last summer, its not bad and was kept well as you say. I did look at joining with a few friends but acutally forgot all about it once the winter came along.

bucks777 · 21-06-2011 9:47am

Frankfield in cork is around 250 quid, think they might have a cheaper rate for students also

Niall09 · 21-06-2011 1:55pm

ohdatlewis wrote: »

Well I'm based in Cork and am under an hours drive from Clonmel. I'm a student and am just looking to get a handicap to be honest.

Dunno where in Cork you are, but Charleville do student memberships for something like €220.

Edit: It's €200 according to GUI website.

k.p.h · 21-06-2011 2:13pm

You should be able to get a cheap student membership somewhere. Mine is 125e although I do pay between 7 and 14e a week for competition entry. Only restriction is you can only place in he major competitions. Not much of a consideration though. If it was somewhere close you could get out as often as you like at no cost. The way I am going this year it's going to cost me less than a euro a round. Now thats value

Actually know of guys playing at some other courses around the area that have been students for the last 6 or 7 years. :rolleyes:

technodub · 21-06-2011 11:44pm

Just today i sent off 80e for membership to slievnamon in tipp til the end of the year! I cant afford to join a golf club at the moment deffo not in dublin but plan to play in may opens and send my cards back as i wont to keep my handicap updated!

mike12 · 22-06-2011 8:51am

technodub wrote: »

Just today i sent off 80e for membership to slievnamon in tipp til the end of the year! I cant afford to join a golf club at the moment deffo not in dublin but plan to play in may opens and send my cards back as i wont to keep my handicap updated!

Hi,
So you have to take 3 trips to Tipp or stay overnight to play your 3 rounds to get your handicap that would be 150/60 quid, if you want to play many opens what is that 20/30 say 25 at a 20 quid each thats 500 quid plus green fees you are up over 800 quid. You will get membership in a few clubs around Dublin for that. If you joined a club you could play as much golf as you like for that.
Mike

Tones69 · 22-06-2011 3:41pm

Leinster hills on wexford road in Carlow is 150 weuro i think

technodub · 22-06-2011 10:59pm

mike12 wrote: »

Hi,
So you have to take 3 trips to Tipp or stay overnight to play your 3 rounds to get your handicap that would be 150/60 quid, if you want to play many opens what is that 20/30 say 25 at a 20 quid each thats 500 quid plus green fees you are up over 800 quid. You will get membership in a few clubs around Dublin for that. If you joined a club you could play as much golf as you like for that.
Mike

Dont know were ur getting 160? Il stay overnight in tipp in a b&b maybe 40 e 20 e for petrol thats 60!All the money i will spend will be in small amounts at different times as i dont have the money to join somewere straight up and Personally id rather spend the money playing opens in different courses then playing one course all the time! The 800e you mentioned will get u membership to a fairly shabby golf course which doesnt interest me believe me iv done my homework! Even at that i dont have the 800 payment or even enough to pay half up front!Each to the own!:D

heavyballs · 22-06-2011 11:35pm

jedwardreally wrote: »

Maybe I am grumpy but I get really brassed off with this long distance handicap lark. When a lot of people have inaccurate handicaps donated by clubs they never play it puts the whole idea of handicapping into disrepute and is completely against the spirit of the game. I suggest you join the excellent Corballis links. Play frequently and you will have a lot more enjoyment for your buck than posting cheques to Tipperary!

agreed
this argument has been done over and over again
i am a country member
playing off 5
i wish i had the cash to join a club so i could play at least once a week and if i got my 1 or 2 .1's at least i would know i'm playing off an accurate hcp
as it is i play about 2 times a month,beleive me this idea of country hcp minders being bandits is bull...........look at the results in the captain's prize in the paper during the summer of all those normal golf cliubs and look at the mad scores comimg in.............talk about babdits
it's great though as those bandits are the one's giving out about country memberships
they serve a purpose and provide revenue,for eg i'm playing in Powerscourt this week,€45 a bit steep me thinks but if i didn't have my gui i wouldn't be playing

brick tamland · 23-06-2011 8:39am

technodub wrote: »

Just today i sent off 80e for membership to slievnamon in tipp til the end of the year! I cant afford to join a golf club at the moment deffo not in dublin but plan to play in may opens and send my cards back as i wont to keep my handicap updated!

e80 til the end of the year? Did you have to negotiate for that or is that the going rate?

golfwallah · 23-06-2011 9:30am

As the man said, “you pays your money and you takes your choice”. It all depends on what you want, how often you play and how you want to dole out your money.
Aside from personalised “slagging” matches between the Full and Country membership camps, let’s look at some of the most pertinent facts:
Assuming annual Membership = €1,200 (Full) and €180 (Country), costs are roughly the same if you play about 35 comps/rounds/year. More than 35 times a year – Full membership starts to become cheaper. Easy payment plans can help spread cost over the year.
Aside from cost factors and a wish to play at lots of different courses, membership of a local club in Dublin / Cork offers certain advantages, including:
• Location of the golf course is a huge factor in determining how often you play. The closer the golf course, the easier to get there, practice, improve your game.
• You have priority tee time access – subject to slot availability on club timesheet system, e.g. certain times may be restricted to competitions, booked before you by other members, etc.
• Easier to get out and play when you want than having to ring around for green fee slots.
• Discounts on buggies / guest green fees / practice balls.
• Member only tee times / competitions.
• Almost unlimited use of clubhouse, locker room and practice facilities
• Opportunity to meet, play golf with and get to know other members
• You feel you are part of a club – opportunities to socialise, social events, member competitions / leagues / have a say in running the club.
Whether you opt for full, 5 day, country or any other form of membership:
• Find a club that fits your lifestyle, where you will feel both comfortable and welcome, with friendly staff and a friendly atmosphere.
• Find a course to fit your skill levels - challenging but not so much that you will become frustrated.
• Being a member at a club you will want to play a lot more.
• Before becoming a golf course member, "shop around", each club will have its own particular feel and membership costs.

jedwardreally · 23-06-2011 10:17am

I think that in the States you have to enter every golf score for every round of golf. This is then divided by the rated difficulty of the course(Slope?) to create a moving handicap. The issue with bandit handicaps is really one of having a system which is
A Not responsive to the now huge differences in Golf courses in Ireland
B Requires only Three cards
C Excludes most rounds of golf.

I haven't golfed in the states. Does anyone on the Board have any experience of the American system?

f22 · 23-06-2011 10:42am

The American system as you said includes all golf, including casual rounds so you can have huge discrepencies in handicap during the year depending on form and home/away play.

Just like here you will have several false handicaps, players that purely play at home, say to a handicap of 5, away from home that could be realistically a 9 to 12.

I have played quite a bit over there and can honestly say there is around a 4 shot difference between a GUI and GHIN handicap. While playing off 5 I played a couple of scratch handicappers several times that would struggle to play off 4 or 5 here (that's not to say there aren't alot of legitimate scratch playeres there too).

At the top end of the scale a +2 or +3 handicapper here would realistically be +4 to +5 there. They have a ton of + college players who are seriously good though.

downthemiddle · 23-06-2011 11:01pm

Associate membership is available in Blessington Lakes Golf Club for 150 euro if you already have a GUI handicap or 175 euro for those seeking a handicap. This membership runs to February 29th 2012.

charlieIRL · 24-06-2011 9:23am

could someone explain country memebership please?

PhilipMarlowe · 24-06-2011 9:26am

Country is where you already have a home membership at a club where you live and you get a 'country' membership at another club that is a chunk of distance away from you, somewhere that you obviously have some connection with or spend some time there.

charlieIRL · 24-06-2011 9:38am

cheers for that Licksy.

technodub · 25-06-2011 3:32am

brick tamland wrote: »

e80 til the end of the year? Did you have to negotiate for that or is that the going rate?

On the website it says 180 but i rang them and they said at the mo there doing it for 160 full year 80 half! Jus download the form off there website and send 80 in the post!

Milkers · 25-06-2011 1:34pm

jedwardreally wrote: »

I think that in the States you have to enter every golf score for every round of golf. This is then divided by the rated difficulty of the course(Slope?) to create a moving handicap. The issue with bandit handicaps is really one of having a system which is
A Not responsive to the now huge differences in Golf courses in Ireland
B Requires only Three cards
C Excludes most rounds of golf.

I haven't golfed in the states. Does anyone on the Board have any experience of the American system?

The biggest difference with the American system is that they average your best 10 of last 20 submitted rounds. This is why a GUI handicap is conservatively 2-3 shots tougher/better than the U.S. equivalent. They think your index should represent your best golf; here it is your average.

dk00 · 30-06-2011 2:23pm

Does anybody know the membership rate for templemore golf course in Tipp?

f22 · 30-06-2011 2:59pm

dk00 wrote: »

Does anybody know the membership rate for templemore golf course in Tipp?

I'm sure they could tell you directly if you phoned them, it's good to talk!

dk00 · 30-06-2011 3:23pm

Sorry but I cant use a phone as I have a hearing problem and is why I using this post, they don't have a web site so cant find email for them.

L.O.F.T · 30-06-2011 3:31pm

dk00 wrote: »

Sorry but I cant use a phone as I have a hearing problem and is why I using this post, they don't have a web site so cant find email for them.

You should look a little 'harder'

http://www.golfinginireland.ie/fairway.ie/site/Tipp/Templem4.htm

Alley cat · 19-07-2011 5:11pm

bigeasy wrote: »

Scarke 99 Euro

http://www.scarkegolf.com/index.html

Hi not sure if male or female in the thread, but Scarke does not have a ladies society currently though they are keen to get one, just need 5 ladies to go on commitee . I think a technicality but means not affliated to the ILGU so you won't get an offical handicap.:(

_DMac_ · 14-10-2011 10:11pm

Sorry for digging up an old thread but I am thinking of joining Swords Open in the next few weeks and was wondering if anyone on boards is a member of the place?? Just looking for a few words of wisdom on what the procedure is for getting a handicap after joining and if there are better places to join for around the same money?? North Dublin preferably. Thanks

board.eddy · 15-10-2011 10:20am

130 quid for a student in slievenamon, 160 quid for a member living 50km away

C.O.Y.B.I.B · 15-10-2011 10:40am

opcowner2007 wrote: »

Sorry for digging up an old thread but I am thinking of joining Swords Open in the next few weeks and was wondering if anyone on boards is a member of the place?? Just looking for a few words of wisdom on what the procedure is for getting a handicap after joining and if there are better places to join for around the same money?? North Dublin preferably. Thanks

Hi ,

I joined Swords Open this year for 400 which is 100 joining and 300 membership , it s then 10 midweek or 15 weekends. Find it to be a great club . Ive no interest in club scene etc...I tend to play early on Sat or Sun and its usually 4 1/2 hours door to door for me which is brilliant. Course is always in good condition and the head greenkeeper plays most weekends so he has a personal interest

ANy members Ive met are sound and rarely any issues getting out tho i usually play on my own wherever i can squeeze in.
Only slight problem is there is a waiting list for membership , but if interested , now would be the time to get your name down.
Any more info let me know .

holdemfoldem · 15-10-2011 11:43am

Is there any site where you can do a comparison?

Me and a friend are looking to get handicaps and were going to go down the cheap far away option but i agree with what people are sayin.

Part time college student so i could use the "free" rounds during the week etc a lot. In south Dub btw if there are any obv choices

blue note · 15-10-2011 11:43am

What's the difference between distance and normal membership. I'm living in Dublin since I went to college 8 years ago, but kept my membership in my home club. Are there restrictions on competitions you can play in and times you can play?

airguitar · 10-11-2011 2:52pm

Cheap Golf membership at Blessington Lakes Golf Club €150 from now until Feb 2013.

Taken from site

"Offer open to everyone of ALL AGES. Full GUI/ILGU Subscription & GUI Handicap entitles you to participate in any open competition around the country. First three games at Blessington Lakes are free. There after pay a €15 green fee to play the course. 18 weekend open competitions scheduled at Blessington Lakes 2012 (€15 entry). 24 midweek open competitions scheduled at Blessington Lakes 2012 (€15 entry). This category of golf membership entitles the minor member to no voting rights"

20 minutes form Tallaght so much closer to Dublin than Slievenamon

gggg · 30-11-2012 12:14am

Cheapest membership has to be Scarke? 99 quid for the year. I live in Louth and will be joining in 2013. You dont even need to walk through the gates of Scarke once throughout the year to maintain your official GUI handicap - just play opens all over the shop. Happy days.

mike12 · 30-11-2012 9:36am

gggg wrote: »

Cheapest membership has to be Scarke? 99 quid for the year. I live in Louth and will be joining in 2013. You dont even need to walk through the gates of Scarke once throughout the year to maintain your official GUI handicap - just play opens all over the shop. Happy days.

This is the problem with this type of membership, you get a handicap on a course then u are never seen again. Most guys improve when they start playing comps but if you are only playing team opens then your handicap may never be cut. in my opinion you should have to play at least 5 comps in your home club to keep a current handicap and u should not be able to win a prize in any type of open if you don't, there should be no issue with you signing up but no prizes. It's time the GUI got things sorted and have all open comps recorded on your GUI number even team events.
Mike

Unglika Norse · 30-11-2012 9:56am

gggg wrote: »

Cheapest membership has to be Scarke? 99 quid for the year. I live in Louth and will be joining in 2013. You dont even need to walk through the gates of Scarke once throughout the year to maintain your official GUI handicap - just play opens all over the shop. Happy days.

You obviously have no concept of what golf club membership is about.

link_2007 · 30-11-2012 10:10am

gggg wrote: »

Cheapest membership has to be Scarke? 99 quid for the year. I live in Louth and will be joining in 2013. You dont even need to walk through the gates of Scarke once throughout the year to maintain your official GUI handicap - just play opens all over the shop. Happy days.

blue note · 30-11-2012 11:46am

Unglika Norse wrote: »

You obviously have no concept of what golf club membership is about.

Or he knows exactly what he wants - the cheapest GUI handicap he can manage so that he can play in Opens around the place. I might be in a similar situation next year where I can't afford membership in a club that would suit me, so being able to keep a handicap so that I can keep up the game through green fees and comps seems a good option.

charlieIRL · 30-11-2012 12:40pm

I reckon there will be a lot of people looknig at this type of membership next year. While it has its negatives, the clubs which these lads play the opens are getting green fee's.

Now €15 or so isn't going to make the club up but its better than nothing.

mike12 · 30-11-2012 1:06pm

charlieIRL wrote: »

I reckon there will be a lot of people looknig at this type of membership next year. While it has its negatives, the clubs which these lads play the opens are getting green fee's.

Now €15 or so isn't going to make the club up but its better than nothing.

Why not just pay green fees or play in a society?
I think it the thing of not playing regular golf in your home club to maintain a handicap. If you just want to play golf try teetimes.ie. Distance membership was for people who had moved away from a club to stay a member for a reduced rate. Country membership was for people who were a member of one club to join a club where they might holiday. These have changed into ways for certain clubs to make money where they have no interest in the players handicap, they can't do annual reviews as the person has played zero comps there that year and it seems half the time they might not even be playing 3 rounds to get there handicap.
Mike
Mike

Almaviva · 30-11-2012 1:48pm

Unglika Norse wrote: »

You obviously have no concept of what golf club membership is about.

Pretty harsh. No possibility gggg's concept or how much he is willing to pay might be different to yours ?

PARlance · 30-11-2012 1:48pm

mike12 wrote: »

Why not just pay green fees or play in a society?
Mike

To get GUI and thus to be able to play in Opens etc.

It's not ideal for the future of golf in Ireland but there are some minor positives in that, clubs (other clubs, not the club that has offered a cut price deal) are getting a bit of additional income and another positive that some golfers are progressing from casual/society into getting a GUI, hopefully this will lead in time to people getting hooked and realizing they need a local club to practice/play regularly...and if there personal finances allow it, join this local club.

I've followed a similar path.
Started off casual and society.
Paid a deposit on a country membership during the summer (in my hometown club in Mayo, living in Dublin)
Haven't been down since I paid deposit, now realize that I need to join somewhere up here if I really want to get serious.
Will be joining a local club in Jan... just need to get finger out and decide on which course of my 2 shortlists that will be.

I know that some golfers who avail of these offers will never progress into full membership in a local club, but if it's a new opportunity to open up golf to the greater population, some of whom will then go onto join a local club, then it can't be all that bad.

mike12 · 30-11-2012 1:55pm

ajcurry123 wrote: »

To get GUI and thus to be able to play in Opens etc.

It's not ideal for the future of golf in Ireland but there are some minor positives in that, clubs (other clubs, not the club that has offered a cut price deal) are getting a bit of additional income and another positive that some golfers are progressing from casual/society into getting a GUI, hopefully this will lead in time to people getting hooked and realizing they need a local club to practice/play regularly...and if there personal finances allow it, join this local club.

I've followed a similar path.
Started off casual and society.
Paid a deposit on a country membership during the summer (in my hometown club in Mayo, living in Dublin)
Haven't been down since I paid deposit, now realize that I need to join somewhere up here if I really want to get serious.
Will be joining a local club in Jan... just need to get finger out and decide on which course of my 2 shortlists that will be.

I know that some golfers that avail of these offers will never progress into full membership in a local club, but if it's a new opportunity to open up golf to the greater population, some of whom will then go onto join a local club, then it can't be all that bad.

Where did u play in Mayo?
I know that the options around Dublin are a bit more expensive for the GUI but would rather see guys join one of those where they can play 4/5 times. The difference between the cost of green fees and opens is very little and often the same so by the time you spend your 100 plus you save very little.
Mike
Mike

charlieIRL · 30-11-2012 2:00pm

mike12 wrote: »

Where did u play in Mayo?
I know that the options around Dublin are a bit more expensive for the GUI but would rather see guys join one of those where they can play 4/5 times. The difference between the cost of green fees and opens is very little and often the same so by the time you spend your 100 plus you save very little.
Mike
Mike

there is prob about €10 a difference between green fees. You would need to play 90 open days to make that up (taking the €99 membership mentioned earlier)

With a GUI you can play any open day, anywhere but if you don't will you get on the timesheet?? Am not sure.

PARlance · 30-11-2012 2:11pm

mike12 wrote: »

Where did u play in Mayo?
I know that the options around Dublin are a bit more expensive for the GUI but would rather see guys join one of those where they can play 4/5 times. The difference between the cost of green fees and opens is very little and often the same so by the time you spend your 100 plus you save very little.
Mike
Mike

That's twice now you've signed off with "Mike Mike" Mike

Castlebar in Mayo is club.

I know the cost can be similar for opens v ordinary green fees and that the 100 euro might mean that nothing is "saved" over the year.
My logic is that if some has a GUI and is playing Opens, then they would be more inclined to / realize sooner that joining a local club is the only way to go if they can afford it.

Maybe my logic isn't correct, I just see it as a little forward in someone progressing to sign up to a local club.

PARlance · 30-11-2012 2:13pm

charlieIRL wrote: »

there is prob about €10 a difference between green fees. You would need to play 90 open days to make that up (taking the €99 membership mentioned earlier)

With a GUI you can play any open day, anywhere but if you don't will you get on the timesheet?? Am not sure.

90 * €10 = €900 Charlie

I might sell you that driver after all if that's the way you are with figures

It's yours for 70 Tenners

Cheapest Club Membership in Ireland

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