Open Competitions Questions

couerdelion

I've done a search on 'Open' competitions on the board but have been able to find an answer to my questions so I thought I would start a new thread, so here goes. I'll warn you some of them may sound a bit basic and you may wonder if I should actually be allowed onto a golf course unsupervised

A little bit of background. I class myself as a newbie. I've played golf in the past butnever more than 2-3 rounds in a year then several years break in between. Last year without any other sporting distractions I got bitten by the golf bug and joined a golf club. This week I finally got my first handicap - 22. A few friends and family have said that the next step should be to start playing 'Opens' and this was also one of the reasons they suggested joining a club and gaining a handicap in the first place.

Now it all sounds great but in all honesty I'm pretty clueless as to what to do next. So my questions...

I've seen the competition listings on the GUI website. Is this a definitive list? Do clubs advertise elsewhere too? Non-Gui affiliated clubs?

How much do they cost to enter? Now I know that they are all different prices but do they advertise the cost anywhere or is it a case of ring and ask?

What time does play take place? Again I can guess that there are various times but again are they displayed anywhere or do I just ring and ask? Is it a case of playing a round between x:00 o'clock and x:00 o'clock?

So, I've found a course where the cost and time suit. Other than ensuring proper atttire and bringing my clubs what else do I need with me? GUI card? Picture Id?

If my friends want to play too would we play in the same group or would we be split up?

Do the club organising the open enter my result into the computer to return a score or do I need to hand the card in to my handicap secretary?

Anything else I need to know?

MiniGolf

couerdelion wrote: »

I've seen the competition listings on the GUI website. Is this a definitive list? Do clubs advertise elsewhere too? Non-Gui affiliated clubs?
From my experience not all clubs advertise their opens on the GUI website... some are "semi" open competitions i.e. they are by invitation of a member only etc.

How much do they cost to enter? Now I know that they are all different prices but do they advertise the cost anywhere or is it a case of ring and ask?
If you check their websites, most of them have on-line booking that gives you the cost as you book

What time does play take place? Again I can guess that there are various times but again are they displayed anywhere or do I just ring and ask? Is it a case of playing a round between x:00 o'clock and x:00 o'clock?

As above, all that info is usually on their websites... the start times are very strict (mostly!) so don't be late!!

So, I've found a course where the cost and time suit. Other than ensuring proper atttire and bringing my clubs what else do I need with me? GUI card? Picture Id?
Gui card... and money to pay for round/food/drinkies etc:D

If my friends want to play too would we play in the same group or would we be split up?
If you book online you can fill a line if you like or if you are on your own just pick an available slot and off you go!

Do the club organising the open enter my result into the computer to return a score or do I need to hand the card in to my handicap secretary?

Most opens require you to swipe your card before your round and input your scores after. This usually takes care of the return to your club but it might not be a bad idea to note your scores etc in case of a computer fault etc.

Anything else I need to know?
Yes, Enjoy!!

Here is a link to an open in Edmonstown Golf Club on Monday next that I entered online this evening....€20!
http://www.brsgolf.com/edmondstown/opens_day.php

Hope that helps??

derra

couerdelion wrote: »

I've seen the competition listings on the GUI website. Is this a definitive list? Do clubs advertise elsewhere too? Non-Gui affiliated clubs?

How much do they cost to enter? Now I know that they are all different prices but do they advertise the cost anywhere or is it a case of ring and ask?

What time does play take place? Again I can guess that there are various times but again are they displayed anywhere or do I just ring and ask? Is it a case of playing a round between x:00 o'clock and x:00 o'clock?

So, I've found a course where the cost and time suit. Other than ensuring proper atttire and bringing my clubs what else do I need with me? GUI card? Picture Id?

If my friends want to play too would we play in the same group or would we be split up?

Do the club organising the open enter my result into the computer to return a score or do I need to hand the card in to my handicap secretary?

Anything else I need to know?

The list on the GUI would not be the definitive list.
Go to a clubs website and select online booking-visitors-open days and see what is on.

Some vary, maybe a 2 man team, 4 man team, singles competition etc.
The cost will be on the online booking sheet and yeah it does vary from place to place.

Again the timesheet is available when booking online so choose your own slot which suits ya.
Yes bring your GUI card or write your number number down and leave it in bag in case ya forget it.

You will swipe it and it be enetered into competition, then when you finish your round,enter scores into same machine and your scores will be uploaded to golfnet database and your handicap secetary will do the rest.

You and your friends can book together if there is room on the timesheet and they have GUI cards.

Alot of clubs have semi-opens where you would have to be invited by a member of that club to play.

Probably missed a couple points there but ya get the gist of it.

PhilipMarlowe

It's generally only in the case of singles[/b[ competitions that you'd need to swipe in and enter your scores on the computer.
Other event types (such as an open fourball) you'd just 'register' in the shop/office before you go out to play and then hand in your card afterwards.
Report your scores to your home club (usually a sheet on the notice board). For singles where you use the computer the scores will be returned automatically but it's technically your responsibility to report them anyway (most people don't).

If you don't have partners to play with you can use the online booking system or just call the course and ask them if there's a spot available for you to join up with someone.

A lot of courses will have open singles on during the week... you could pretty much play a singles competition every day of the week without having to travel too far from home.

Enjoy the golf... competitions is where it's at really. If you think you have the bug now, just wait:)

golfwallah

The GUI site provides a free facility for clubs to promote their open competitions but not all clubs are organised enough to avail of this facility. It's just a good way for golfers to find opens in the part of the country they want to play in and on the dates they want to play.
As said in other responses to your threads, you should being your GUI card - if you haven't got this yet, enquire with your club.
Another alternative to find opens is to search for them on Google, e.g. "golf opens dublin" or similar word search should bring up a few for you to choose from.

couerdelion

Thanks for all the answers.

I did try a couple of clubs and the ones that use the golf booking systems are great. A few don't allow you to book online though and I guess I'll have to try and remember to ring during the day.

Right, now to find one during the week I can play

MiniGolf

This lot any help for next week??

Beech Park Senior Open - Over 50's 26/04/2011

Hollywood Lakes Senior Open - Over 50's 26/04/2011

The Links Portmarnock Pro-Am 26/04/2011

Roganstown Singles/Special Category for Seniors 26/04/2011

Balcarrick Senior Open - Over 50's 26/04/2011

St. Margarets Singles Stableford 27/04/2011

South County Singles 27/04/2011

Elmgreen Singles 27/04/2011

Balbriggan Singles 28/04/2011

Castleknock Singles 28/04/2011

Hollywood Lakes Fourball 28/04/2011

Balcarrick Singles 28/04/2011

Corballis Links Singles 29/04/2011

couerdelion

Thanks. I might take a look at Corballis.