Please suggest some Clubs - I have specifics listed within - Thanks

pocketdooz

Hi, I'm going to join a club in 2009 but would like some help in choosing one please. Here are the criteria I am using to narrow down the choices. Thanks.

1) Within a 45 minute / 1 hour drive of RTE.

2) No or low (< €2,000) joining fee.

3) Good social scene - restaurant etc - members pref. youngish, working in Dublin (IFSC etc.)

4) Annual Fee under €3,000 per annum.

5) Members-owned club (as opposed to private club, so it can't be shut down so easily as Luttrelstown was).

I know there are some great deals available now - if you know of any, please suggest.

Thanks !



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copacetic

thats a tough ask, not sure such a club exists, if you find it, let us all know!
The really difficult bits are looking for a member owned one with young membership and cheap to join. Most of the best offers are not in member owned clubs so far and most have a waiting list anyway. None have a young membership imo.

Pen1987

Might want to check out Donabate. Bit outside your range but ticks all the other cirteria pretty well.

pocketdooz

Thanks for the suggestion of Donabate - it looks like it is within my range though - it seems to be only €1,565 per annum for 7 day membership with no joining fee or am I reading that wrong ?

I suppose I should put my priorities in order of importance to see if others have suggestions. Thanks again for your help.

1) Members-owned club

2) Annual Fee under €3,000 per annum.

3) Within a 45 minute / 1 hour drive of RTE

4) No or low (< €2,000) joining fee.

5) Good social scene - restaurant etc - members pref. youngish, working in Dublin (IFSC etc.)






.

Pen1987

They have a (rather entraprenuerial) offer on to beat the golf-industry recession. You don't pay a membership fee, you get all the benefits of membership except a vote at the AGM for the first two years. Then after those two years you have the option of becoming a voting member but if so you have then to pay the entry fee.

Basically it means you get the membership without the entry fee for the first two years, then after that if you've found you've not got value for your membership you haven't lost out on the 2000e worth of capital and you just let your membership lapse.

That's at least what I took from the IT article from when they first started the offer.

Boden08

Looks a very good deal for a good track if you can get there!

pocketdooz

Thanks for the suggestion on Donabate. i have contacted them but have not heard back yet.

Any other suggestions out there from anyone?

Does anyone know anything about South County or Dun Laoghaire ?

kingshankly

pocketdooz wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion on Donabate. i have contacted them but have not heard back yet.

Any other suggestions out there from anyone?

Does anyone know anything about South County or Dun Laoghaire ?

sheet would be the man to ask about south county

Boden08

Since the Kilternan membership deal, the original members in South County have been allowed to invite new members in for €5000 as well. If you know a Sth County member, I'd give them a buzz if you're interested. It's on a non share basis, just as the Kilternan members were offered too.

ShriekingSheet

kingshankly wrote: »

sheet would be the man to ask about south county

South County is in the €5k ball-park but there's a type of leasing/annual membership that has no joining fee, €1,600 per year + €300 bar/food which goes on your card and you can spend throughout the year. Again, it's 100% playing rights, the only difference being a vote at the AGM.

Good competitive golfers in the club at all h'cap levels and it has the generally good social buzz that comes with that. This was a big factor in my own decision to join. Interclub comps and Captain's days etc are the days in the calender if you ask me. The club is moving in the right direction anyway, with a ProAm being planned for '09 and hosting the metropolitan qualifiers for the Junior Cup in May aswell.

I work just up the road from you near Bewley's and get out there in 20mins once I can get out of work before 4.20pm, or in the summer after 6pm. Even with a bit of traffic it's never really more than 35mins.

fearandloathing

hi folks, just a quick question about south county..

whats the policy for taking in new members? i dont know anyone who plays there, at the moment my student membership in my club has expired and i cant afford to join as a full member so im clubless.

i havnt played seriously in a few years due to travel/exams but im playing off 5 at the moment and played a load of golf as a youngster in all the boys/youths tournaments, junior cup and all that. does anyone know whether or not i would be accepted if i applied as a total randomer or would i need to know someone to get my foot in the door?

ShriekingSheet

fearandloathing wrote: »

hi folks, just a quick question about south county..

whats the policy for taking in new members? i dont know anyone who plays there, at the moment my student membership in my club has expired and i cant afford to join as a full member so im clubless.

i havnt played seriously in a few years due to travel/exams but im playing off 5 at the moment and played a load of golf as a youngster in all the boys/youths tournaments, junior cup and all that. does anyone know whether or not i would be accepted if i applied as a total randomer or would i need to know someone to get my foot in the door?

There is an interview and you do have to be proposed and seconded by members but I'm sure the club would be happy to help you out. Just call them up and explain your situation.

colin2503

hi there,
i would suggest lucan golf club http://www.lucangolfclub.ie/

member owned
45 mins from rte
annual fee is €1,050 (plus €200 bar levy)
the joining fee is €12,000 but (i'm told) this can be paid over four years therefore reducing your fee to €3k per year. this may also be coming down in 2009.
most members aged 25-50
new clubhouse with restaurant
unlike many clubs the members don't have their head up their backsides

failing this, if you were willing to travel a little bit further out of dublin you would get much better value for money.

good luck

bogmanfan

Rang Lucan Golf Club myself yesterday, and they are still charging a 12,000 entrance fee! It's either the full whack up front, or 6,000 up front and the remaining 6,000 over 2 years. Oh, and you pay interest on the remaining 6,000 :eek:! Eh hello, there's a recession on...
Anyway, I just told the guy that when the likes of Druids Heath aren't charging any entrance fee, that I wish him luck in recruiting members at this price point.

1stuey1

around wicklow the prices in SOME are coming down. but Wicklow golf course still says its 9000 entrance fee and 850 sub aint changing..... EH NO THANKS. when the likes of some clubs scrapping there entrance fee's wicklow will suffer and good.

Mr. Larson

1stuey1 wrote: »

around wicklow the prices in SOME are coming down. but Wicklow golf course still says its 9000 entrance fee and 850 sub aint changing..... EH NO THANKS. when the likes of some clubs scrapping there entrance fee's wicklow will suffer and good.

Wicklow's membership fees have come down this year.

You can propose an extended family member (Parents, Children, Grandparents, Grandchildren, Nephews, Nieces, Spouses (including Partners), Direct In-laws (Sons/Daughters in Law, Mother in Law, Father in Law, Brothers and Sisters in Law) 1st Cousins) for €3,000. That includes the 09 sub.

€6,000 for new members which includes the 09 Sub - or - €4,000 which includes the 09 sub + 4 additional payments of €500 each year for next 4 years.

No change to 5 day membership.

I should be sick as I joined a few years ago for €9,000 but that's the way it is these days. Everyone's lost a bomb on cars, houses etc. this is no different. If I had the time back, I would join again for the same amount... no regrets.

thegen

There is a deal going in South County if you know a member where it will cost you €3,250.00 plus your annual sub of €1,900.00 which includes a €300.00 bar levy.

Sandwich

Check out www.gui.ie.

There is a page listing details of clubs open for membership. Probably not complete, but you might find something worth investigating.

MiniGolf

I am pretty sure Roundwood is opening for new members with no "Hello" money and €1400 subs........ Play there regularly with a friend who is a member... can find out details if you like! I know a lot of people don't like it... don't know why as I find it a tough but fair course... has improved my game by making me be straight and pays to know your club distances!!
As for social scene... don't think it it great but I am sure with some "new" blood it should improve. the Club House is fab and the people who run it are really friendly.
If I get a bit busier with work (self employed) I will join myself as I live very near.:)