Etiquette/Protocol for leaving club

Pdoghue

I'm wondering what the protocol is for leaving a club. I've been a member of my club for about 25 years and am thinking of leaving to go to a club nearer where I live now. I have family members who are still members and I would know and be friendly with a good proportion of the membership.

Should I write a letter explaining why I'm leaving? Would it be considered bad manners if I don't? Do I have to tell them why I'm leaving? Do I just not renew my membership? Could I try and negotiate a reduced annual sub to compensate for living so far away? My reasons for leaving are mainly economic; the course itself is fantastic. I just need to find a club closer to where I live now. As I see it, my club are not cogniscent enough of the fact that with hello money not being asked for in most clubs, players have more freedom in moving around. Loyalty to a particular club should not be taken for granted.

SEORG

I was in the same situation at the start of the year. I left for economic reasons, with a baby arriving in February I couldn't justify doing 1.5hr round trip to play golf when my golf time would be limited.

I just wrote a letter informing the club secretary that I would not be renewing my membership, thanked the committee and staff and wished them well for the future and said I looked forward to playing open events on the course as I considered it a good test of golf.
Didn't get any acknowledgement of the letter or anyone contacting me offering a reduced rate but didn't expect it to be honest.

I joined another club through distance membership to allow me play open competitions.

Anatom

What happens then with your GUI handicap? Is that automatically transferred to the new club? Say you leave Club A on the 31st of December, having been already accepted into Club B from the 1st of January, how soon will you be up and running with your "new" handicap/GUI card?

SEORG

When you join the new club you give them your 2011 GUI number, your existing handicap is then brought forward onto your new GUI number by your new club.
Mine was sorted within a week.

Anatom

Thanks for that.

Supateer

Surely it would be helpful to the club to include in your letter the reason for leaving, so that they can improve (if that is the case) and/or not be concerned that they have done something wrong? Just good manners.

Dr_Colossus

SEORG wrote: »

I just wrote a letter informing the club secretary that I would not be renewing my membership, thanked the committee and staff and wished them well for the future and said I looked forward to playing open events on the course as I considered it a good test of golf.
Didn't get any acknowledgement of the letter or anyone contacting me offering a reduced rate but didn't expect it to be honest.

Poor form by the club in my opinion. The least they could do is acknowledge your letter after you were considerate enough to notify them of your intentions. If you hadn't stated your reasons for leaving then they should have contacted you to see if it was anything they could work on for future retention.

SEORG

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Poor form by the club in my opinion. The least they could do is acknowledge your letter after you were considerate enough to notify them of your intentions. If you hadn't stated your reasons for leaving then they should have contacted you to see if it was anything they could work on for future retention.

yeah it would have been nice to get some acknowledgement but wasn't that surprised.
I had given my reasons for leaving in the letter so I guess they felt that was my mind made up. Which it was to be fair.

SEORG

Supateer wrote: »

Surely it would be helpful to the club to include in your letter the reason for leaving, so that they can improve (if that is the case) and/or not be concerned that they have done something wrong? Just good manners.

I did include my reasons in the letter, probably didn't state that clearly in my post above. I didn't have a problem with the club and told them that.

irishtoffee

You don't have to give any letter at all,just get in touch with your handicap secretary by phone and tell him to send your handicap details to your new clubs handicap secretary.My Uncle left his club this year and it was sorted in a few days.

SEORG

That's true. I was a member of the club for 9 years and enjoyed my time there so just felt it was the right thing to do.

irishtoffee

Well anyway enjoy your new club.