Cheap Golf?

jamesbondings

Im a student living in the city. (Dublin)
I want to play more golf and regain my gui handicap that i had as a juvenile. What i wondered is why is it so expensive? I havent the income at the moment or for the foreseeable future to be able to justify spending a vast amount of money on membership. I dont understand why golf clubs dont have student memberships to allow students like myself get out and compete. I get out to driving ranges and public courses every now and again but would much rather a "home club" where i can just show up and play.
I ideally want to play week in week out playing comps and getting my handicap down but feel i wont be able to until finishing college at 28 (mature student).

What i am asking i guess is, what is the cheapest way to get a gui handicap and play regular golf? Is it possible to do it without spending a fortune preferably around the meath dublin area.

Cheers in advance
Jamesbondings

Pdoghue

Try Corballis in Donabate - good membership deals.

Not sure about student rates though.

P_1

The bigger colleges would have golf clubs themselves.

Where are you studying OP?

jamesbondings

In DIT, have emailed the "golf society" months ago can only presume its extinct as i havent heard back from them. The societies seem to be a bit of a joke so i wouldnt be surprised if i get an email back next year!

Cheers PDoghue i wouldnt be in a position unfortunately to pay even their memberships! I have very little disposable income, but should i come into money i would definitely take a closer look.

GreeBo

Golf is an expensive game, from both the player and the clubs side.
It takes a lot of money to maintain a course and a student takes up just as much room on a course as anyone else. Lots of places have cheaper rates based on age, if you still cannot afford these then maybe you are not in a position to play the sort of golf you want at the moment, in the same way I cannot afford to join a yachting club.

Your best bet is to find a "local" society of some description (boards.ie golf society?) and play casual golf until you can afford the junior/adult rate at a club that suits your location.

jamesbondings

Yea looks that way GreeBo, why wouldnt clubs have student memberships where you just pay green fees but can get your handicap that way, gives students a chance to maintain it but also bring income in through otherwise untapped markets.....would be ideal for me anyway.

J6P

You could get a distance membership for around €150 somewhere and play in open competitions. This is what i done the last 2 years and is a good way of trying out various courses until you have the funds to buy full membership somewhere.

jamesbondings

Cheers man that may be my only option and as a student would be able to get down off peak!

Ronney

Most Dublin clubs do Student membership. The main problem is the qutoa for that category is filled from junior members etc.

In my club (Dublin not to far from the city) Categories of membership went as follows

Junior 12-18 10% of full fee
Student till 25 12.5% of full fee
U30 50% full fee (equal playing rights but unable to win Mayors).


With the trend of the 25-30 age group to emigrate there would no harm ringing round all clubs and asking if they have any ability
If you happen to be a low single figure potential Senior/Junior cup player clubs could be a bit more interested.
5 Day and Social Membership could be options depending on the privileges they come with. GUI website lists clubs with current vacancies.

If your only in Dublin for College would you get value if your not here during the off term which is the main golfing season. Might be better keeping the handicap "back home" for the summer and play opens in Dublin

As mentioned there are plenty of open comps on the gui site and cheap tee times on teetimes.ie

Have a look at some of these too
http://www.hollystown.com/mysitecaddy/site3/golfmembership.htm

Alot of clubs do student rates but dont activly advertise them, get on friendly first name terms with the local pro

jamesbondings

Cheers Ronney, wouldnt be a low handicapper, was 23 when i left golf years ago, but i played once or twice over the summer and was extremely surprised at my golf first eagle and 2 birdies in one round! ( Im the type of golfer who struggles to get pars on my good days! The eagle should have been a birdie but for some reason the putt dropped it never should have and i was lining the birdie up and all!)

I live in Dublin full time and have to country home like the majority of students.

I may ring around, its probably a very good idea. I was a member in Garryhinch GC in portarlington for most of my youth and just loved the course the people and the whole atmosphere around the club......

Phonecalls shall be made during the week!!

just checked out that link, oooohhh my mouth is watering at the prospects! saving commencing now!

slave1

Appreciate some licence to give an option without the flamers.

Here's an option for you.
Join Scarke Golf Club for €99 and then search out cheap green fees, open days and web offers.
That's what I'm doing this year as I get bored playing the one course over and over again and am willing to travel around an hour or so.
So far I have 30rounds of golf prepaid from picking up deals. My courses this year so far are The Heritage, Mullingar, Moyvalley, New Forest, Athlone, Citywest, Beech Park, Esker Hills and Knockanally and my average cost per round (exc. Scarke annual fee) is €6.
Granted a lot of these are not Dublin based but they are an indication.

spacecoyote

Grange Castle do student membership:

Student Full Membership
COST: €350- Payment Plan Available
PAYMENT PLAN DETAILS: 1st Payment: €80 2nd Payment: €40 3rd Payment: €40 4th Payment: €40 5th Payment: €40 6th Payment: €40 7th Payment: €40 8th Payment: €40 Total Payment: €360

INSURANCE: €20 extra (must be covered in the first payment of the payment plan)

COMPETITION FEES: €2

VALID: Until 28th of February 2014

TERMS: Must Be Aged Between 18 - 24 Years. Must Be In Full Time Education. ID Required and Proof of Educational Course.

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES

Affiliation to Golfing Union of Ireland - Official GUI Handicap

All Green Fees Paid

Reduced Rate for Guests

Reduced Buggy Hire

Free Bag Tag

Free Fixture Diary

Free Rules of Golf Book

Free Equipment Check

Or Pay & Play Deal is:

Student Pay & Play Membership
COST: €175- Payment Plan Available
PAYMENT PLAN DETAILS: 1st Payment: €45 2nd Payment: €20 3rd Payment: €20 4th Payment: €20 5th Payment: €20 6th Payment: €20 7th Payment: €20 8th Payment: €20 Total Payment: €185

INSURANCE: €20 extra (must be covered in the first payment of the payment plan)

COMPETITION FEES: €2

VALID: Until 28th of February 2014

TERMS: Must Be Aged Between 18 - 24 Years. Must Be In Full Time Education. ID Required and Proof of Educational Course.

MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES

Affiliation to Golfing Union of Ireland - Official GUI Handicap

Reduced Green Fee Rates (Monday - Sunday)

Monday – Friday €12 (Excluding Bank or Public Holidays)

Monday – Friday 9 Hole €10

Weekend / Bank or Public Holiday €17

Weekend / Bank or Public Holiday 9 Hole €14

Reduced Rate for Guests

Reduced Buggy Hire

Free Bag Tag

Free Fixture Diary

Free Rules of Golf Book

Free Equipment Check

Hope that might help (taken from http://www.grangecastlegc.com/members-area/ )