Travel time to play golf

redeal

I'm considering joining a golf club that is 40/45 minutes drive away from me. This would be an hour and 20 mins drive there & back in total.
My question is,
Do people feel this is to far to travel to become a member of a club?

Other details:
I do like to play a quick few holes of golf after work. I'm not much of a person to spend an entire day on the course.
All the courses around me are either to expensive to join or just lacking in development & maintenance.

I'd really appreciate other opinions on this.

copacetic

40/45 isn't too bad, assuming you can get there in that time after work/in rush hour.

phkk

redeal wrote: »

I'm considering joining a golf club that is 40/45 minutes drive away from me. This would be an hour and 20 mins drive there & back in total.
My question is,
Do people feel this is to far to travel to become a member of a club?

I used to be a member of a club about the same distance from home for about two years but got fed up of the commute..I didn't play it that often the second year so joined a different club..found it hard to play with the reliable 2/3/4 ball so unless you have afew friends there,I wouldnt encourage you to join

heavyballs

phkk wrote: »

My question is,
Do people feel this is to far to travel to become a member of a club?

I used to be a member of a club about the same distance from home for about two years but got fed up of the commute..I didn't play it that often the second year so joined a different club..found it hard to play with the reliable 2/3/4 ball so unless you have afew friends there,I wouldnt encourage you to join

i agree with the above,was in a similar situation and left,although it has to be said if i didn't have kids and had no major commitments i would consider it,especially if it was a good course and just as importantly a good club

carnsoreboxer

I too spent hours on the M50 commuting to my club, it was a complete pain, whereas I will travel anywhere for 18h on a good course and make a day of it I believe your club golf should be close enough to let you use it for practice or even just play a few holes if you have limited time.

I recently joined a club 8 mins from my door and I'm sorry I didn't do it 2 years ago.

Just my experience!

fred funk }{

I used to travel an hour to my coarse, for the first year I traveled a good bit but after a while I got pissed of with the commute. In the end I only turned up for the big competitions etc.

scrubber72

my home club is 45 mns away (Ballinrobe) and I live in Galway. I get to play about 3 times a week as i work nights but I am considering joining a place closer to home or if my future wife likes the idea we will move closer to the course:p

redeal

Interesting replys, Thanks.
I wasn't banking on most feeling that after a year or 2's commuting that you'd end up wanting to change to a more local club.

Really have know idea what I'll do now. My local club is not capable of developing onwards which really frustrates me as the greens are just so bad.

The only real options I have is to either stay with this place which is close to me but in a poor standard or to drive 40 mins to a club which is really great and offers most things I'm looking for in a golf club.

My club = Poor greens & no develpment potential. 8 minute drive.
or
Other club = 40 minute drive.

jimbling

redeal wrote: »

Interesting replys, Thanks.
I wasn't banking on most feeling that after a year or 2's commuting that you'd end up wanting to change to a more local club.

Really have know idea what I'll do now. My local club is not capable of developing onwards which really frustrates me as the greens are just so bad.

The only real options I have is to either stay with this place which is close to me but in a poor standard or to drive 40 mins to a club which is really great and offers most things I'm looking for in a golf club.

My club = Poor greens & no develpment potential. 8 minute drive.
or
Other club = 40 minute drive.

Join the better club. 40 minutes isn't that much. Majority of people are at least 20/30min from their club.
The only thing I'd ask is if rush hour traffic effects you. If it takes an hour+ to get there after work then it might not be worth it.

Webbs

Spoken to few people at our club who have moved from a club that was 40mins away to current club that is nearer as they never/rarely got out during the week and no social aspect. The courses are of roughly same quality so as you say that can make a difference to decision.
Its a toss of a coin thing - play less good course, play more ok course. A tough one to choose

Emelio

I thought this was about time travel and was consequently most confused.
Now I realise you mean the duration it take to get from point a to your golf course.
For me it is problem, I must get flight back to spain.

Mister Sifter

Emelio wrote: »

I thought this was about time travel and was consequently most confused.
Now I realise you mean the duration it take to get from point a to your golf course.
For me it is problem, I must get flight back to spain.

Make it a single.

GorHugh

I live in navan and play in Mannan castle co.monaghan , 40 min drive ..

Into my 2nd yr of membership and won't be changing clubs anytime soon ,

In fairness there are a group of 10 to 15 of us living in Navan all members and usually get 2 or 3 set of 3 balls at the weekend and take turns driving ,

BUACHAILL

I guess in one way or another frustration of some description is going to set in:

If you join your local club your commute is easy but you will be frustrated in the course conditions, development of the place and in the end probably wont do your game any good at all.

If you join the distant club you will be frustrated with the drive yet when you get there you will be more than happy with the course and the club ( to me this would be the most important aspect of it ).

Go with the club that will enhance your game more and give you more enjoyment in the long run. Practicing after work can be a pain but there is always driving ranges etc, I know its not ideal but its the price you pay for joining a good club !!

All else fails move house and your sorted in every aspect ha ha

I live 45 mins away from my club and it would be on poor roads, I honestly dont mind it at all and I am in my 5th year there. It can be a pain for practice but I go to the range also, I also play other local courses for 10-15 euro during the week rather than the drive to my own place, well worth the money rather than the drive and my time.

Dont sacrafice club for distance would be my advice !!

redeal

Cheers everyone for your comments, all helpful.

I'm leaning towards joining the club 40 mins away. Practice during the week or a sneaky 9 holes in the evening is important to me so maybe as Buachaill says I could pay to play some local courses at the cost of 10/15euro if I'm not in the mood for the drive.
As some had asked "would it take longer to drive to in rush hour"?
I shouldn't think so at most 45mins.
Still a tough decision to make unfortunately.:(

Swingguru

I pondered all winter what to do about my membership. My club is 35 mins away, I have 2 young kids and by the time I get home during the week, have tea, get them to bed etc. theres no way I'm in the mood for driving 35 mins for 9 holes!
I love my course and club, and really enjoy it at the weekends. I have ended up joining a course of lesser standard as a 5 day member for ¢350. The accepted some GUI vouchers I won last year and combined that with some Xmas money to make up the fee. I can now nip out there and be standing on the 1st tee in 10 mins.
Thats the best of both worlds this year, but will have to make a permanent change next year. There's a good club and course about 20 mins away so am seriously thinking about that.
As someone said earlier the other option is to move house or get divorced!

Dammo

I'd advise against it. I did it for a couple of years and you just get fed up of the commute. One of the great things about a local club is the chance to nip out and play 6 or 7 holes when the opportunity arises.

Just my experience mind you. Best of luck whichever way you go.