Getting a GUI without membership

Dun laoire

Was talking Golf with the father in law and he told me that in the near future you may be able to get a GUI without being a member. Now, how true this is is anyones guess but was just thinking had any of you heard anything?? I love golf, i really do but just can't afford a membership even at this time where memberships are at an all time low. I love getting out during the spring / summer months when you can play nearly most courses during the week at a very good price. Now with winter and evening games gone i'm very limited to where i can play at the weekend. It's either Dublin City or WIcklow golf course ( no disprespect to either, i love playing Wicklow golf course) but with a GUI i could get out and play in competitions where i'd have a great oppertunity to play in many different courses. So what you think? Is it possible that it could be?

pcasso

I would doubt it to be honest. Golf clubs would be up in arms as there would be a significant loss of membership and therefore revenue, as I suspect that there are a lot of members, myself included, who are solely attached to a club because of the GUI membership it brings.
Also it would be very difficult to monitor handicaps for non club member golfers.

Dun laoire

pcasso wrote: »

I would doubt it to be honest. Golf clubs would be up in arms as there would be a significant loss of membership and therefore revenue, as I suspect that there are a lot of members, myself included, who are solely attached to a club because of the GUI membership it brings.
Also it would be very difficult to monitor handicaps for non club member golfers.

That was my first taught alright, clubs could take a massive hit. In relation to the difficulty in monitoring non club members i don't think that would be a problem. If there are bandits out there which we all know there are they would be found out soon enough. If a fella keeps winning comps his handicap will just keep dropping, does that not sort itself out?

Sandwlch

Dun laoire wrote: »

in the near future you may be able to get a GUI without being a member.

No chance whatsoever.

princess poppy

Blessington Lakes Golf Club are offering "Minor Membership" for €150.

This includes three rounds of golf and GUI Membership with a GUI Handicap.

Its also a fantastic course within driving range of south and west Dublin. Full membership is only €600 from now until Feb 2013. Ladies membership for the same is only €450. They are seriously good rates:D

cackhanded

princess poppy wrote: »

Blessington Lakes Golf Club are offering "Minor Membership" for €150.

This includes three rounds of golf and GUI Membership with a GUI Handicap.

Its also a fantastic course within driving range of south and west Dublin. Full membership is only €600 from now until Feb 2013. Ladies membership for the same is only €450. They are seriously good rates:D

..........

tincup69

Played blessington lakes a couple of times over the summer. Havnt had a chance to get out in the last few weeks but will definitely be taking up that 150 deal to get my GUI handicap. Cracking course was especially impressed with the greens. Will suit me as can play in open competitions and get up there easy enough for a couple of rounds. Already looking forward to going back up. Highly recommend.

Tin_Cup

Tincup69????? My evil twin?

cackhanded

Tin_Cup wrote: »

Tincup69????? My evil twin?

Your kinky twin more like .

tincup69

Haha ill take either....

The Hippo

What's blessington lakes golf club like lads?? Anyone play it? Heard its suppose to be very good and at that price I'm thinking about joining up for next year.

Anyone any reviews or past experiences of the course??

Thanks

link_2007

The Hippo wrote: »

What's blessington lakes golf club like lads?? Anyone play it? Heard its suppose to be very good and at that price I'm thinking about joining up for next year.

Anyone any reviews or past experiences of the course??

Thanks

I played it a fortnight ago. I really enjoyed it and the members I met seemed very friendly.

Just to note; I am a complete beginner (that was only my second ever round) and while I found it challenging (I'm still at the stage where everything is challenging), I don't think it would be much of a challenge to a low handicapper.

Regardless of your level, I would say it's worth going to play a round (I was only charged €15 for 18 holes on a Saturday). It was in great condition considering the weather in the last month and it's in a lovely, scenic area.

Watch out for the 'canyon' on the 9th/18th

The Hippo

link_2007 wrote: »

The Hippo wrote: »

What's blessington lakes golf club like lads?? Anyone play it? Heard its suppose to be very good and at that price I'm thinking about joining up for next year.

Anyone any reviews or past experiences of the course??

Thanks

I played it a fortnight ago. I really enjoyed it and the members I met seemed very friendly.

Just to note; I am a complete beginner (that was only my second ever round) and while I found it challenging (I'm still at the stage where everything is challenging), I don't think it would be much of a challenge to a low handicapper.

Regardless of your level, I would say it's worth going to play a round (I was only charged €15 for 18 holes on a Saturday). It was in great condition considering the weather in the last month and it's in a lovely, scenic area.

Watch out for the 'canyon' on the 9th/18th

Sounds like a nice course, ticks all the boxes for me. Ive played golf for years but had to get an operation so was out of action for about 18 months. The 150 euro membership would suit ne as I don't work so I'm hoping to get cheap opens midweek around Dublin.

What's the canyon on the 9th/18th? Sounds interesting to say the least.

I might make a visit up there this weekend and I'll let ya know how I get on.

Thanks

airguitar

Dun laoire wrote: »

Was talking Golf with the father in law and he told me that in the near future you may be able to get a GUI without being a member. Now, how true this is is anyones guess but was just thinking had any of you heard anything?? I love golf, i really do but just can't afford a membership even at this time where memberships are at an all time low. I love getting out during the spring / summer months when you can play nearly most courses during the week at a very good price. Now with winter and evening games gone i'm very limited to where i can play at the weekend. It's either Dublin City or WIcklow golf course ( no disprespect to either, i love playing Wicklow golf course) but with a GUI i could get out and play in competitions where i'd have a great oppertunity to play in many different courses. So what you think? Is it possible that it could be?

I doubt it would ever be possible to get a GUI handicap without being a member of a club as a motion like this would never get the support of the clubs needed to carry it.

Blessington lakes is a very cheap way however to obtain a GUI handicap so close to Dublin

Unglika Norse

Never happen, the GUI can't give you a handicap, only a club affiliated to the GUI can issue a handicap.

Unglika Norse

Is Blessington Lakes a members club or is it a propriotary place

Orion

Dun laoire wrote: »

with a GUI i could get out and play in competitions where i'd have a great oppertunity to play in many different courses.

pcasso wrote: »

Golf clubs would be up in arms as there would be a significant loss of membership and therefore revenue

I don't believe there are as many people with membership purely to have a GUI as there are people who would love to play golf in many clubs but can't because they have no handicap. We're in a new world now and the GUI would do well to bear this in mind. A GUI issued handicap could actually be a revenue spinner to many clubs who don't have the local membership to stay afloat but could run open comps available to people with official handicaps.

As for the Blessington shills on this thread - read up on Boyle GC and see how well that went for them. :rolleyes:

mike12

Orion wrote: »

I don't believe there are as many people with membership purely to have a GUI as there are people who would love to play golf in many clubs but can't because they have no handicap. We're in a new world now and the GUI would do well to bear this in mind. A GUI issued handicap could actually be a revenue spinner to many clubs who don't have the local membership to stay afloat but could run open comps available to people with official handicaps.

As for the Blessington shills on this thread - read up on Boyle GC and see how well that went for them. :rolleyes:

They are called Green fees you can play almost any course in Ireland without a handicap. There is not much of a difference in the cost of a open and the cheapest green fee most clubs offer.
To play in competition during open days you have to have a gui handicap.
As far as i know Boyle were dishing out handicaps without ever seeing people u just rang up and said i want 18. Never played Blessington but i'm sure you have to play your 3 rounds to get a handicap.
Mike

princess poppy

Unglika Norse wrote: »

Never happen, the GUI can't give you a handicap, only a club affiliated to the GUI can issue a handicap.

Blessington Lakes id affiliated to the GUI ad ILGU. It is a relatively new club, used to be known as Boystown.

A small, extremely friendly club which has done very well in interclub competitions. Men have won Provincial Towns and ladies have several all Ireland and District pennants in the ILGU Interclub competitions.

The course itself is great with many challenging holes, it has natural drainage so is playable all through the year, the greens are among the best and the members are second to none

princess poppy

mike12 wrote: »

They are called Green fees you can play almost any course in Ireland without a handicap. There is not much of a difference in the cost of a open and the cheapest green fee most clubs offer.
To play in competition during open days you have to have a gui handicap.
As far as i know Boyle were dishing out handicaps without ever seeing people u just rang up and said i want 18. Never played Blessington but i'm sure you have to play your 3 rounds to get a handicap.
Mike

You definitely have to play three rounds in Blessington signed by a GUI member and submit your cards in the same way as in any other club. Your handicap is then maintained as normal by the clubs and all caord from opens etc must be returned to maintain your handicap.

PhilipMarlowe

I'm starting to get the message but what I'd really like is for another couple of newbie posters to come on here and sing the praises too... maybe even drag up a random thread or two. That kind of thing is what really convinces me.

link_2007

PhilipMarlowe wrote: »

I'm starting to get the message but what I'd really like is for another couple of newbie posters to come on here and sing the praises too... maybe even drag up a random thread or two. That kind of thing is what really convinces me.

I'm not sure if that's directed at me but all I was doing was answering a question that was asked. As a 'newbie', there isn't a huge amount I can contribute to the board and I am mostly here to read and learn from the experiences of other posters. I certainly wasn't trying to advertise Blessington Lakes in anyway.

Tin_Cup

link_2007 wrote: »

I'm not sure if that's directed at me but all I was doing was answering a question that was asked. As a 'newbie', there isn't a huge amount I can contribute to the board and I am mostly here to read and learn from the experiences of other posters. I certainly wasn't trying to advertise Blessington Lakes in anyway.

I'm pretty sure Philip wasn't referring to yourself. Was more aimed at the posters with 5/6 posts and every one of them references Blessington Lakes €150

Dormy

PhilipMarlowe wrote: »

I'm starting to get the message but what I'd really like is for another couple of newbie posters to come on here and sing the praises too... maybe even drag up a random thread or two. That kind of thing is what really convinces me.

Thought you might do something about it yourself but just noticed you're not a mod anymore

Orion

Dormy wrote: »

Thought you might do something about it yourself but just noticed you're not a mod anymore

Hehe. At first glance that read like "come and take me if you're hard enough "

george67

While we are on the topic of "cheap" golf Killcoole are doing a Social Members package .

€350 +gui fees
10 free rounds of golf + entry into 5 comps reduced green fees thereafter.

Social members comps midweek + able to invite friends at guest rate.

not a bad deal for a beginner or "part time" golfer

Alrite Chief

princess poppy wrote: »

Blessington Lakes Golf Club are offering "Minor Membership" for €150.

This includes three rounds of golf and GUI Membership with a GUI Handicap.

Its also a fantastic course within driving range of south and west Dublin. Full membership is only €600 from now until Feb 2013. Ladies membership for the same is only €450. They are seriously good rates:D

Ill be taking advantage of this myself. This is the closest to non member GUI as you will ever get. Im sure courses are up in arms about this even. Maybe some more will follow suit.

PhilipMarlowe

Alrite Chief wrote: »

Ill be taking advantage of this myself. This is the closest to non member GUI as you will ever get. Im sure courses are up in arms about this even. Maybe some more will follow suit.

Great Idea. Every course should follow suit and then we could play opens on all the other... oh, wait.

downthemiddle

PhilipMarlowe wrote: »

Great Idea. Every course should follow suit and then we could play opens on all the other... oh, wait.

It is easy to be cynical but as we all know the nature of Irish golf has changed dramatically in recent times. We are a small club, but we have a strong cohort of loyal members. We have a golf course that is always presented in excellent condition and is a very good test of golf for golfers of all abilities.
When we made the decision to offer this membership we knew that it would raise some hackles. However there is a market for this membership and we have a responsibility to maximise the revenue that our club generates. We are next door to a NAMA owned golf course. Golf in Ireland is no longer a level playing field. I'm sure the members that paid 20,000 euro to join that club have their own issues with some of their membership deals.
We offered another incentive membership earlier in the year and quite a number of these members are opting to take out full membership for the coming year. I am certain that a number of people who join on this deal will transfer to full membership next year.
We have always run our handicap in a professional manner and have been praised by the GUI anytime we have been audited.
I was a founder member of the club in 1998 and I am very proud of everything we have achieved since. It is an excellent club with a proactive committee. We have a young membership reflected by the fact that next year's captain is only 24 years of age. It is a club where everyone gets an opportunity, whether to serve on committee or to play on teams. There are no closed shops or cliques.
The members who avail of this membership and our other forms of memberships will be assured of a warm welcome in our club. I am sure many of them will be members for many years to come.

FixdePitchmark

PhilipMarlowe wrote: »

Great Idea. Every course should follow suit and then we could play opens on all the other... oh, wait.

I Agree

I don't have a GUI , but don't think it is a great idea.

You are kind of just bypassing the handicap system, turn up on a course you don't know , play poorly and get a handicap, then don't set foot in the place again.

Unglika Norse

There is nothing new in this type of membership offer, it is Dublin/Wicklows answer to the Tipperary & Kilkenny bandwagon, it's not overly cheap either at E15 per round pay as you play on a 9 hole golf course it would be dearer than the other two, but could you say whether or not this is a members club, where the facilities are owned and run by the members or is it a propriatory course, just for information purposes,