Joined club, now what?

Bits_n_Bobs

I holiday in the west a few times a year and last year decided to take the plunge and join the local golf club. We generally keep to ourselves down there so I don't really know any of the locals, and was wondering what the best approach is to get involved in the club with a view to meeting some play partners?

I have not got my handicap yet either, so would like to get that sorted out too - is the best thing just to stick your name down for competitions? Bit clueless as to how the whole thing works. I don't want to be overbearing in terms of getting involved and put peoples noses out of joint, but I figure I do need to get pro-active about it! Any idea's on what the best approach to take is?

mike12

Hi,
Depends on the club best thing to do is hang around on a saturday and a get a round in with someone who can sigh your card most clubs if they are busy sunday morning usual Comp day its usually just for those playing in the comp. Do u mind me asking which Club.
Mike

Bits_n_Bobs

Thanks for the information, so basically mope about the place and hope someone takes pity on me? Will kiss my ego farewell and give that a go

I would of thought it would be ok just to put my name down and go round with some of the players who are playing in one of the competitions and ask them to sign my card - and not enter into the actual competition? Or would that be seen as the pleb (me) disturbing the serious business of the competition?

The club is Kilkee btw.

hades

I asked the same question here a few months back, and the advice given to me has helped me greatly and i'm on the course every weekend now.

Get onto the club, either the pro or the handicap officer and let them know your story. They will know guys who will gladly play with a round with you. The pro usually knows the lads who are really easy going, and just go out and have fun.

Don't be afraid to ask for the number of your playing partner after the round, or just casually drop a hint during the round, as to wether you could join them again. "of course, we play every sunday at the same time, just throw your name on the sheet" was a response i got.

Put your name down for competitions once you have your handicap, don't be worried if its for a four ball or singles, most folks just want to get out and play. I was nervous of playing in a 4 ball, as i didn't want to let the other person down, but this was only tom foolery on my part.

Maybe ask to see if there's a local pub who holds the majority of their outings on the course in question, that will give you an abundance of playing partners.

BoardsMember

The thing I would do is let my playing partners introduce me to new people each time I play, so stick your name on the timesheet as often as possible, make sure you have an hour or so afterwards to have a drink with your playing partners - if they have to rush off then maybe dont bother going up to the clubhouse afterwards by yourself, wait til the next time.

Killed

It's no problem going out in the competition in order to get your card signed. Just get your name down on the timesheet and off you go.

PhilipMarlowe

hades wrote: »

I asked the same question here a few months back, and the advice given to me has helped me greatly and i'm on the course every weekend now.

Get onto the club, either the pro or the handicap officer and let them know your story. They will know guys who will gladly play with a round with you. The pro usually knows the lads who are really easy going, and just go out and have fun.

Don't be afraid to ask for the number of your playing partner after the round, or just casually drop a hint during the round, as to wether you could join them again. "of course, we play every sunday at the same time, just throw your name on the sheet" was a response i got.

Put your name down for competitions once you have your handicap, don't be worried if its for a four ball or singles, most folks just want to get out and play. I was nervous of playing in a 4 ball, as i didn't want to let the other person down, but this was only tom foolery on my part.

Maybe ask to see if there's a local pub who holds the majority of their outings on the course in question, that will give you an abundance of playing partners.

+1

Halfprice

+2.

you'll always meet new people when you put your name down and then you'll know when not to put your name down with some clowns that wreck your head and know everything:D:D:D

k.p.h

Remember getting paired with 3hc in first 4ball. was ****ting it. he was class though learned a lot and he showed us how to mark cards properly and everything. I think some people forget that if you throw your name on the time sheet and end up with someone they were in need of a playing partner also so everyone is happy.

WHIP IT!

k.p.h wrote: »

Remember getting paired with 3hc in first 4ball. was ****ting it. he was class though learned a lot and he showed us how to mark cards properly and everything. I think some people forget that if you throw your name on the time sheet and end up with someone they were in need of a playing partner also so everyone is happy.

Also, most people forget that that 3HC player is well used to playing with 'inferior' golfers because they're better than probably 90% of the golfers they play with so, unless he/she is a bit of a tool, they're going to be fine playing with the average hacker. Therefore - no need for nerves at all really!

hades

I actually find playing with the better golfers, the only way to play. Most seasoned high handicappers (in my experience) are mainly sunshine players and are full of the usual "keep your head down" advice. Whereas, most of the low handicappers i play with are excited about the game, and are only too delighted to be playing with an eager beginner. They seem to feed off your excitment and it ends up being a great experience.

Bits_n_Bobs

Thanks for all the great replies. Plan on flinging name down on competition sheet next time I am down and seeing what happens.

Failing that I will put on my best hang-dog expression and mooch around club house till someone takes pity on me. Once they see me actually play the pity will be amplified greatly I suspect....

WHIP IT!

Few questions answered here for me as well, probably gonna join my third golf club in next week or two but first time joining a place where I dont know any members beforehand.

Dr_Colossus

I joined a club last month without knowing anyone at it, put my name down on the competition sheet a few weekends so as to get a member to sign my card for handicap purposes and also to get to know them.
Has been great so far, very impressed with the timesheet being all online with the members names shown. Alot of people seem to have regular playing partners which leaves plenty of single slots for others in the same situation to put down their name.
Submitted my three cards on Sun so hopefully should have my handicap soon and be able to enter in the competitions.

hades

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

I joined a club last month without knowing anyone at it, put my name down on the competition sheet a few weekends so as to get a member to sign my card for handicap purposes and also to get to know them.
Has been great so far, very impressed with the timesheet being all online with the members names shown. Alot of people seem to have regular playing partners which leaves plenty of single slots for others in the same situation to put down their name.
Submitted my three cards on Sun so hopefully should have my handicap soon and be able to enter in the competitions.

Looks into a crystal ball...... you'll get an 18 handicap

conno16

Kilkee club isn't up to much btw.
You should have gone for Spanish Point or maybe even Kilrush.

Dr_Colossus

hades wrote: »

Looks into a crystal ball...... you'll get an 18 handicap

Does your crystal ball indicate when I'm likely to receive my handicap? How long on average does it take the handicap secretary to issue a handicap. Also since alot of clubs seem to issue a handicap of 18 unless you're very good and consistent what's the point of the 3 cards since they don't seem to be taken into consideration in issuing a 21 or 24 etc handicap?

Jaysoose

conno16 wrote: »

Kilkee club isn't up to much btw.
You should have gone for Spanish Point or maybe even Kilrush.

Constructive and insightful post as always.

hades

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Does your crystal ball indicate when I'm likely to receive my handicap? How long on average does it take the handicap secretary to issue a handicap. Also since alot of clubs seem to issue a handicap of 18 unless you're very good and consistent what's the point of the 3 cards since they don't seem to be taken into consideration in issuing a 21 or 24 etc handicap?

I submitted mine and rang the Hanidcap officer a week later, voila, an 18

WHIP IT!

Lads, joining a new club soon but I anticipate playing a lot of 'Open' comps at other clubs. Never really did this before at the two previous clubs I was a member at. How does this work, when I enter an open or semi-open comp, I register before hand with my card as an 'away' player and then enter my score after the round and it is automatically sent back to my club, correct?

How often should I send back cards - should I just do it when I play in a comp or should I send back cards from casual rounds with friends at other clubs etc?

Thanks

PhilipMarlowe

Casual rounds don't matter.

Open singles - you'll swipe in with your card and the system will find you... your handicap may not be accurate on their system so you will be asked if it needs correcting.
You play your golf and swipe in and return your score & put the card in the box.
When the competition is closed, they upload the results to golfnet.
Your home club then downloads away scores for its players and they are processed...

You won't be dealing with a physical card but you should report your away scores to your home club. Usually they will have a sheet for that purpose. It helps in auditing.... but not many people do it to be honest because the automatic system tends to work.

The same sheet is used to notify scores in team events and manual competitions where the cards should be returned to the home club (but doesn't always happen). These kind of returns are noted for any general play or annual review type changes that may happen.

WHIP IT!

Licksy wrote: »

Casual rounds don't matter.

Open singles - you'll swipe in with your card and the system will find you... your handicap may not be accurate on their system so you will be asked if it needs correcting.
You play your golf and swipe in and return your score & put the card in the box.
When the competition is closed, they upload the results to golfnet.
Your home club then downloads away scores for its players and they are processed...

You won't be dealing with a physical card but you should report your away scores to your home club. Usually they will have a sheet for that purpose. It helps in auditing.... but not many people do it to be honest because the automatic system tends to work.

The same sheet is used to notify scores in team events and manual competitions where the cards should be returned to the home club (but doesn't always happen). These kind of returns are noted for any general play or annual review type changes that may happen.

Thanks for that, Licksy