Cheap Golf Club membership 2013?

flannan76

New to boards and heres my situation, I am pulling from my local golf club in Offaly for 2013, i aint getting the value from it as I dont play there much. I am a sales rep and am on the road most of the time, the clubs are always in the boot and I play open days regularly in gort, lahinch, shannon, castletroy, nenagh. What i am looking for is cheap membership to a club to keep my handicap intact. I have a 200 euro budget and am not exactly looking for a 9 holer in the back end of nowhere which I will never play.

If anyone knows of good deals out there please let me know clubs and a figure if possible, any region considered as I have relations in dublin and elsewhere that I visit regularly and can get a game in........ thanks!

Peterdalkey

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056422136 you might find something here!

slave1

€99.99

golf nut

Mountain View Kilkenny 150

YOUNGGUN

I see Tulfarris are €899 for 15 months (Dec 2012 - Feb 2014). Anyone been down there recently, what sort of condition is it in? I haven't played there in a couple of years but I know it didn't hold much rain in the past.

Dr_Colossus

YOUNGGUN wrote: »

I see Tulfarris are €899 for 15 months (Dec 2012 - Feb 2014). Anyone been down there recently, what sort of condition is it in? I haven't played there in a couple of years but I know it didn't hold much rain in the past.

That's word for word the same post Weetabix posted here, too much of a coincidence. What's going on?
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056422136&page=18
Your post is answered in the above thread if interested.

Milkers

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

That's word for word the same post Weetabix posted here, too much of a coincidence. What's going on?
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056422136&page=18
Your post is answered in the above thread if interested.

lol nice spot

leeze

Try Slievenamon Golf Club in Tipperary. I've been a distance member with them for years - they really look after you and its a good quality course - €150 for distance members www.slievenamongolfclub.com

cackhanded

leeze wrote: »

they really look after you

How exactly do they really look after golfers who are only joining to get a GUI handicap and never frequent the course?

leeze wrote: »

and its a good quality course

Sure it is:rolleyes:

Lawless2k12

cackhanded wrote: »

How exactly do they really look after golfers who are only joining to get a GUI handicap and never frequent the course?


Sure it is:rolleyes:

The whole atmasphere is very friendly as the place isn't full of pompous, stuck up @$$holes like many courses (Clonmel and Thurles for example, in my opinion of course) And they have always accommodated anything I requested.

And no, the course is not good quality. In summer it's good but I have played it in winter and it was shocking. But that won't matter to someone looking for distance membership will it :pac:

leeze

When you are a distance member you may not know many others in the club - any time I'm in the area and want to play in a competition the office staff are very good to organise people to play with me. In some courses I find that the office staff are only there part time - you can ring Slievenamon any day and there will be someone there to help with a query - I forgot my GUi card one day and needed my GUI number, for example.

I haven't played the course this winter but a friend of mine was down there and the report back was that the greens were great for this time of year.

Dayor Knight

You could consider Hibernian Golf Club based at the K club for €225.... gives you the option to play on the Smurfit course any Sunday morning on a pay as you play basis (a phone call gets you a spot) - currently €40 for the winter, probably €45 next Summer. Great course layout. Friendly club. I'm a member there ... feel free to P.M. me if you'd like an introduction, or to try it out over the next couple of weeks - should be able to arrange a visit.

Barnaboy

flannan76 wrote: »

New to boards and heres my situation, I am pulling from my local golf club in Offaly for 2013, i aint getting the value from it as I dont play there much. I am a sales rep and am on the road most of the time, the clubs are always in the boot and I play open days regularly in gort, lahinch, shannon, castletroy, nenagh. What i am looking for is cheap membership to a club to keep my handicap intact. I have a 200 euro budget and am not exactly looking for a 9 holer in the back end of nowhere which I will never play.

If anyone knows of good deals out there please let me know clubs and a figure if possible, any region considered as I have relations in dublin and elsewhere that I visit regularly and can get a game in........ thanks!

I live in Offaly myself. You don't mention which club you are leaving. I am biased but my own club, Castlebarna in Daingean is superb value for money. Full membership is 595 for the year, including GUI affliation, no joining fee and no additional subs for bar/restaurant. Not only that but if you were to join now you would get 3 months golf free- our year runs from 1st April. And you can pay in installments.

And if you're still not sure you can join for 90 euro for 3 months to try it out.

Full details here: www.castlebarna.ie

It's an excellent course for what you pay. Well maintained, excellent drainage and course rarely closed. Sales pitch over

ArielAtom

Scarke GC @ €99.99 per year looks the cheapest I've seen.

For Paws

flannan76 wrote: »

New to boards and heres my situation, I am pulling from my local golf club in Offaly for 2013, i aint getting the value from it as I dont play there much. I am a sales rep and am on the road most of the time, the clubs are always in the boot and I play open days regularly in gort, lahinch, shannon, castletroy, nenagh. What i am looking for is cheap membership to a club to keep my handicap intact. I have a 200 euro budget and am not exactly looking for a 9 holer in the back end of nowhere which I will never play.

If anyone knows of good deals out there please let me know clubs and a figure if possible, any region considered as I have relations in dublin and elsewhere that I visit regularly and can get a game in........ thanks!

Scarke GC
087 2374444
Padraig Bailey - Sec.

Download the application form from their website www.scarkegolf.com
Send them your Handicap Cert (available from your present club)
& cheque for €99.99 (plus Insurance €20) and they will transfer your membership & send you out a new GUI card.

No need to go there (although I'm told it's a fine set-up)

Member there myself.

FixdePitchmark

For Paws wrote: »

Scarke GC
087 2374444
Padraig Bailey - Sec.

Download the application form from their website www.scarkegolf.com
Send them your Handicap Cert (available from your present club)
& cheque for €99.99 (plus Insurance €20) and they will transfer your membership & send you out a new GUI card.

No need to go there (although I'm told it's a fine set-up)

Member there myself.

Lol -

What is the story with his place , 99 euro - I love it. Photos with lads in their jeans and all, fine looking place - how is it only 99 euro.

Puts a good spin on the 5K in Dublin.

Lawless2k12

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lol -

What is the story with his place , 99 euro - I love it. Photos with lads in their jeans and all, fine looking place - how is it only 99 euro.

Puts a good spin on the 5K in Dublin.

Got a round in scarke a couple weeks ago for the first time. Lovely course! Bit young yet... lots of sneaky ponds. No facilities though. And the car park holds about 15 cars. Tee boxes were flat but not very recognisable. Plenty potential though! Defo be playing there again. Might leave it till summer though cos it's too cold and sh*tty at the moment :P

Rikand

I wonder how many members scarke has - as in, is it worth it to be charging 99 euros a head if they have 5,000 members

AdpRo

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

That's word for word the same post Weetabix posted here, too much of a coincidence. What's going on?
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056422136&page=18
Your post is answered in the above thread if interested.

I'm just after seeing this now, not sure what that poster was at but believe me it has nothing to do with me, I posted that on the other thread and he has jsut copied it in here for some reason.

For Paws

Rickylovesuall wrote: »

I wonder how many members scarke has - as in, is it worth it to be charging 99 euros a head if they have 5,000 members

That's basically the idea.

The Club is fundraising by providing cheap membership without having to cater to (the vast majority) them actually playing there.

Imo it's made for folk who (like the OP) aren't playing their local (500-1000 annually) course often enough to justify the cost.

Here's a further hint ; Check out what 'Country Membership' is a your local club.
If it's priced, as many are, at less than €100 less Full Membership then consider joining Scarke & becoming a 'country member' at your old club.

For example :

Your local Club Annual Full Membership Sub : €650
Your local Club Country Membership : €300
Scarke GC Annual Full Membership Sub : €100

650 less 300 + 100 = 250 saved.

onlyfinewine

For Paws wrote: »

That's basically the idea.

The Club is fundraising by providing cheap membership without having to cater to (the vast majority) them actually playing there.

Imo it's made for folk who (like the OP) aren't playing their local (500-1000 annually) course often enough to justify the cost.

Here's a further hint ; Check out what 'Country Membership' is a your local club.
If it's priced, as many are, at less than €100 less Full Membership then consider joining Scarke & becoming a 'country member' at your old club.

For example :

Your local Club Annual Full Membership Sub : €650
Your local Club Country Membership : €300
Scarke GC Annual Full Membership Sub : €100

650 less 300 + 100 = 250 saved.

Most clubs offering country membership have a residence clause included in the terms and you cannot live within a particular mileage of the club.
Distance membership may be an option however, but you are still going to be driving for a while to play in your home club, and any savings you are making have to be set against costs of travel and probably food. Savings if any will be minimal unless you play very infrequently.

cackhanded

For Paws wrote: »

Here's a further hint ; Check out what 'Country Membership' is a your local club.
If it's priced, as many are, at less than €100 less Full Membership then consider joining Scarke & becoming a 'country member' at your old club.

For example :

Your local Club Annual Full Membership Sub : €650
Your local Club Country Membership : €300
Scarke GC Annual Full Membership Sub : €100

650 less 300 + 100 = 250 saved.

What a great idea - if all the members get on board then we can financially support a club we have nothing to do with, while our local club quickly goes down the swanny. Brilliant!

PARlance

For Paws wrote: »

That's basically the idea.

The Club is fundraising by providing cheap membership without having to cater to (the vast majority) them actually playing there.

Imo it's made for folk who (like the OP) aren't playing their local (500-1000 annually) course often enough to justify the cost.

Here's a further hint ; Check out what 'Country Membership' is a your local club.
If it's priced, as many are, at less than €100 less Full Membership then consider joining Scarke & becoming a 'country member' at your old club.

For example :

Your local Club Annual Full Membership Sub : €650
Your local Club Country Membership : €300
Scarke GC Annual Full Membership Sub : €100

650 less 300 + 100 = 250 saved.

I know house prices have fallen but you probably won't get one for less than €250.
Country or Distance membership usually requires you live 50km+ from the course.

For Paws

onlyfinewine wrote: »

Most clubs offering country membership have a residence clause included in the terms and you cannot live within a particular mileage of the club.
Distance membership may be an option however, but you are still going to be driving for a while to play in your home club, and any savings you are making have to be set against costs of travel and probably food. Savings if any will be minimal unless you play very infrequently.

See OP

My post was in response to his situation.
I wasn't suggesting it for all.

Secondly, Country Membership of your LOCAL CLUB is what I suggested.
Cost of travel to your local club ??

For Paws

cackhanded wrote: »

What a great idea - if all the members get on board then we can financially support a club we have nothing to do with, while our local club quickly goes down the swanny. Brilliant!

Would all the Members of your local Club resign in order to join a Club in New Ross ?

Doesn't say a lot about your local Club, or it's Members.

For Paws

ajcurry123 wrote: »

I know house prices have fallen but you probably won't get one for less than €250.
Country or Distance membership usually requires you live 50km+ from the course.

Correct. (distance requirement is not universal and varies).

And probably a response from Clubs to protect it's membership income.

onlyfinewine

For Paws wrote: »

See OP

My post was in response to his situation.
I wasn't suggesting it for all.

Secondly, Country Membership of your LOCAL CLUB is what I suggested.
Cost of travel to your local club ??

Glad you clarified your reference was to the OP, this thread has been hanging around a while and I believe he has got multiple suggestions back from the middle of December 2012 and onwards. Including Skarke, Slievenamon and Mount Temple for distance memberships. However he has not yet advised as to the option he went with.

Unfortunately country membership of your local club is not generally an option to my knowledge as you will live too close to the local club to qualify. So your suggestion for saving money is generally unworkable. Cost of travel is not an option either obviously with the membership not being available.

who what when

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lol -

What is the story with his place , 99 euro - I love it. Photos with lads in their jeans and all, fine looking place - how is it only 99 euro.

Puts a good spin on the 5K in Dublin.

Its quiet interesting actually. Scarkes pricing policy is aimed at basically robbing members from another more established course 4-5 miles away (New Ross for anyone that knows it). And its working too. New Ross have had to literally slash their membership rates and get rid of their hello money. This year they've even begun offering first time membership rates of €300. Rumour has it that I think in 2010 New Ross lost 100 members alone.

This battle is great for locals but unfortunately both clubs seem to be struggling financially. A race to the bottom I believe its called.

Golfclobber

Hi everyone on this thread , I am in the same situation with my club getting no value for money and bad weather all summer, found the info here useful, will look at Scarke Golf Club, Has any one joined there, and with this kind of membership can you play opens ever where and still be affiliated to the GUI. Robbie

arch staunton

who what when wrote: »

Its quiet interesting actually. Scarkes pricing policy is aimed at basically robbing members from another more established course 4-5 miles away (New Ross for anyone that knows it). And its working too. New Ross have had to literally slash their membership rates and get rid of their hello money. This year they've even begun offering first time membership rates of €300. Rumour has it that I think in 2010 New Ross lost 100 members alone.

This battle is great for locals but unfortunately both clubs seem to be struggling financially. A race to the bottom I believe its called.

I believe you are right it is a race to the bottom.But new ross did not help themselves by letting new members join for 300 ( this includes 50 bar levy i believe) and charging the current members the full rate of ( i am not sure what that is c750ish i thtink)

I also know of a club in the region that let new members join this year for 350 and charged last year members 550..Clubs will close if this continue because golfers will just move club to where the best deal is.

jokser250

I'm a first time member of a golf club and I joined scarke as a full member €349 and €20 for insurence .as I'm working Ina trade some weeks are less busy than others and the course would never be overly busy u just go and play no need to book a time . Course is in great nick 18 holes and also 18 par 3 holes the new back 9 par 3 will be open shortly it's just ready so there's plenty of variety on offer . As a poster said its still a young course front 9 tougher than back 9 but its improving every year ( played casually for few years) also option of paying €150 and .€10 per round