Student Membership

galwayboss

I am currently in the process of applying for student membership of a local golf club in this i taught as being a mature student (26) i could use the advantage of the student rate of around e250 instead of e1000 but as i went to pay this i was told my application was being held up as i was over 25 and not considered a student, was wondering is this a rule in most clubs or does this club whom i won't name at the moment just not want new younger members.

k.p.h

galwayboss wrote: »

I am currently in the process of applying for student membership of a local golf club in this i taught as being a mature student (26) i could use the advantage of the student rate of around e250 instead of e1000 but as i went to pay this i was told my application was being held up as i was over 25 and not considered a student, was wondering is this a rule in most clubs or does this club whom i won't name at the moment just not want new younger members.

You see the golf clubs seem to get awfully caught out on this one, they call it student membership but they don't really mean that, what they mean is Youth membership but they don't really mean that either. !

They call it student membership so they don't have to allow younger members who work to play at the same rate.

A student is defined as some who is in full time education (no age requirements) Although when someone is over a certain age they seem to ignore this.

It's really just blatant money grabbing to be honest. They want the best of both worlds.

Three guys i go to college with (mature students) we refused student membership in a club down here on the grounds of their age. The membership was e250, they went elsewhere in the end. 12 months on that club is offering new membership deals for 350 in an effort to get people in. I can't see the logic in it to be honest, the lads are mad about the game and get out at every chance they get,they were not looking for a free ride but rather just the chance to play while things were tight and they were in college.

The lads are finished college in May and will have IT related degrees so will have no problems getting work, so basically looks like that club are just after passing up on 3 full members.

That club is not in a terrible way but they do have a significant amount of debt from work done a few years ago. But hey what can you do, it's a very Irish scenario. People often seem to forget you reap what you sow.

If I were you I would try to meet someone from the club and explain your situation and the fact that you are genuine, see how they feel once they meet you face to face.

Barring that I would just go elsewhere..

golfwallah

galwayboss wrote: »

I am currently in the process of applying for student membership of a local golf club in this i taught as being a mature student (26) i could use the advantage of the student rate of around e250 instead of e1000 but as i went to pay this i was told my application was being held up as i was over 25 and not considered a student, was wondering is this a rule in most clubs or does this club whom i won't name at the moment just not want new younger members.

My advice is to shop around.

There are lots of clubs out there looking for members.

Some recognise the lifetime value of a customer (member), some don't (either through ignorance or clinging onto their old ways).

I've listened to speeches by GUI officials on how certain long established clubs, with an aging membership and struggling to get new members, now regret past decisions on restricting youth and student members.

Moreover the GUI have also published booklets on the need for clubs to be more open to change to attract new and younger members into golf clubs - but this is advice and not compulsory. Every club is free to have their own management rules (other than the rules of golf) and ways of doing things.

Times change and some clubs change their ways quicker than others.

As demand for members now exceeds supply, we currently have a buyers market (as a general rule). That said there will always be exceptions - after all, it's a free market - but freedom of choice cuts both ways and the recession means that the balance of power has been shifting more in favour of the customer.:)

Gophur

galwayboss wrote: »

I am currently in the process of applying for student membership of a local golf club in this i taught as being a mature student (26) i could use the advantage of the student rate of around e250 instead of e1000 but as i went to pay this i was told my application was being held up as i was over 25 and not considered a student, was wondering is this a rule in most clubs or does this club whom i won't name at the moment just not want new younger members.

Clubs have the right to set any age as the limit for student membership. In my club it is 25 years. It is a constitutional definition and the committee do not have the right to overturn it.


(I don't know what you're studying but your spelling, grammar and syntax are atrocious!)

bustercherry

k.p.h wrote: »

You see the golf clubs seem to get awfully caught out on this one, they call it student membership but they don't really mean that, what they mean is Youth membership but they don't really mean that either. !

They call it student membership so they don't have to allow younger members who work to play at the same rate.

A student is defined as some who is in full time education (no age requirements) Although when someone is over a certain age they seem to ignore this.

It's really just blatant money grabbing to be honest. They want the best of both worlds.

Three guys i go to college with (mature students) we refused student membership in a club down here on the grounds of their age. The membership was e250, they went elsewhere in the end. 12 months on that club is offering new membership deals for 350 in an effort to get people in. I can't see the logic in it to be honest, the lads are mad about the game and get out at every chance they get,they were not looking for a free ride but rather just the chance to play while things were tight and they were in college.

The lads are finished college in May and will have IT related degrees so will have no problems getting work, so basically looks like that club are just after passing up on 3 full members.

That club is not in a terrible way but they do have a significant amount of debt from work done a few years ago. But hey what can you do, it's a very Irish scenario. People often seem to forget you reap what you sow.

If I were you I would try to meet someone from the club and explain your situation and the fact that you are genuine, see how they feel once they meet you face to face.

Barring that I would just go elsewhere..

Hmmm you obviously don't work in IT

acejeff

bustercherry wrote: »

Hmmm you obviously don't work in IT

Recession must be over

bustercherry

acejeff wrote: »

Recession must be over

Haha yeah forgot about that too

FixdePitchmark

k.p.h wrote: »

You see the golf clubs seem to get awfully caught out on this one, they call it student membership but they don't really mean that, what they mean is Youth membership but they don't really mean that either. !

They call it student membership so they don't have to allow younger members who work to play at the same rate.

A student is defined as some who is in full time education (no age requirements) Although when someone is over a certain age they seem to ignore this.

It's really just blatant money grabbing to be honest. They want the best of both worlds.

Three guys i go to college with (mature students) we refused student membership in a club down here on the grounds of their age. The membership was e250, they went elsewhere in the end. 12 months on that club is offering new membership deals for 350 in an effort to get people in. I can't see the logic in it to be honest, the lads are mad about the game and get out at every chance they get,they were not looking for a free ride but rather just the chance to play while things were tight and they were in college.

The lads are finished college in May and will have IT related degrees so will have no problems getting work, so basically looks like that club are just after passing up on 3 full members.

That club is not in a terrible way but they do have a significant amount of debt from work done a few years ago. But hey what can you do, it's a very Irish scenario. People often seem to forget you reap what you sow.

If I were you I would try to meet someone from the club and explain your situation and the fact that you are genuine, see how they feel once they meet you face to face.

Barring that I would just go elsewhere..

Should the mature students not be studying ?

leedslunatic

Gophur wrote: »

(I don't know what you're studying but your spelling, grammar and syntax are atrocious!)

Did he ask you for grammer advice?

bustercherry wrote: »

Hmmm you obviously don't work in IT

acejeff wrote: »

Recession must be over

Or ask either of you about job prospects?

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Should the mature students not be studying ?

I seriously doubt you ever wen't to college .

OP, I believe the reasoning behind the age limit is due to the number of fraudlent student applications some golf clubs receive. I myself have student membership in a couple of golf clubs. (One of the benefits of being a student I guess )

Anyway, as the golf club secretary explained it to me.... Apparently, each year, many people enroll themselves in college programs, with absolutely no intention of going to college, simply to avail of student membership packages in gyms, golf clubs ect. Seems extraordinary to be honest but when you consider the savings to be made... It's not beyond reason.

Milkers

Gophur wrote: »

Clubs have the right to set any age as the limit for student membership. In my club it is 25 years. It is a constitutional definition and the committee do not have the right to overturn it.


(I don't know what you're studying but your spelling, grammar and syntax are atrocious!)