Golfing Handicaps

jamesbondings

I just wondered, having looked about for cheap membership in clubs around Dublin i realized that at this moment in time it is not an option for me to be a member of a club. This i find unfortunate as even though im not a great golfer i do love the buzz around a club on comp days, and prefer playing in comps. So because i cant join a club and am not really interested in society golf i cannot obtain a GUI handicap.

My question is why not? I mean why is it not an option for a person to go and play 3 rounds of golf with a GUI handicapped player and have them sign your three rounds?(in any club) You could then be deemed an independent golfer (not attached to any club). Then should you wish to play comps just pay green fees and the comp entry and your away.

I am not sure if I am being very clear but it makes sense to me....

James

Benny Cake

So I fork out 800 sods a year to contribute towards the maintenance and upkeep of the course and club facilities so you can rock up and play comps whenever it suits you? There wouldn't be a club left in the country of that was the case.

For 120 euro you can join somewhere like scarke and mountain view if all you're interested in is a gui handicap....

Almaviva

jamesbondings wrote: »

So because i cant join a club and am not really interested in society golf i cannot obtain a GUI handicap.

My question is why not?

Nothing in theory.

But in practice golf clubs cannot afford to let you do that. Handicap golf costs more than what you would be paying if they were to allow you to do it - so they, through their union, the GUI, do not offer it. Clubs earn the necessary income to run courses predominantly through the subs of those who can afford/choose to afford to be members because they want a GUI handicap.

jamesbondings

Benny Cake wrote: »

So I fork out 800 sods a year to contribute towards the maintenance and upkeep of the course and club facilities so you can rock up and play comps whenever it suits you? There wouldn't be a club left in the country of that was the case.

For 120 euro you can join somewhere like scarke and mountain view if all you're interested in is a gui handicap....

Calm down..... When I am financially in a position to join a club I will. I am NOT only interested in a GUI handicap.
Besides I mentioned in order to play the comp I would need to pay green fees plus comp fees.

Let it be said that I would be no where near contention of any prizes or anything (last handicap I held was 23.6) but prefer the buzz around the clubs on comp day than going paying green fees in an empty club.
I just feel golf could be more inclusive especially in these times and with funds being tight for alot of people out there but also for people who want to play the likes of golf digest events.

You seem a tad bitter to the idea, I dont know why clubs benefit by me playing extra golf in a year..... as it is I play about ten rounds a year it would increase more if there was any life in the clubs. The only time there is life in the clubs is when theres a comp on but because I cant afford a membership and in turn a handicap I am unable to partake in the fun! It also gives people an opportunity to sample club comp days for future memberships even if you could only do it for a set period like 4 years while im in college. (First thing I plan on doing when I graduate is join a club)

I really am miffed at your dismissiveness of it. From your language you seem offended by the thoughts of it!

PARlance

Wow, over react much James?

He's saying it how it is. Your idea is nice in theory, but it's not practical for clubs to survive.

As Benny kindly suggested, why not look into a country/distance membership. It's beasically what you're looking for.
Many clubs also offer a pay and play option. This is very close to what you are looking for. My own club is €210 pay n play.
Costs have to be covered, you can get something very close to what you need for an extra €100-250 a year.

Almaviva

jamesbondings wrote: »

The only time there is life in the clubs is when theres a comp on but because I cant afford a membership and in turn a handicap I am unable to partake in the fun!

You want a pay-as-you-go membership 'experience'. That is not a sustainable economic model for clubs. The real costs of running an 18 hole club/course is roughly €500-€1000 per member depending on standard, number of members, and location. Competition fees go mainly towards prizes. Your greenfee to play in those competitions at say €15-€25 would only net a club €200 per year for your 10 games. Which is not enough to permit people to do so.

No such thing as a free lunch unfortunately. As aj says, some clubs, who dont have a great rep since they are bucking the market in a sense, are minimal standard 9 holes ones and do offer membership for 150-250 : effectively for people who want to pay that just for a GUI handicap. But then you would have the costs of the greenfees on top of that, so up to €400 a year or so would be about the best you could do at the moment for your 10 games per year of handicap golf.

Felexicon

How much do you have to spend on membership. My club offers a student rate of €309 for the year and it gives you full 7 day membership. There's also an offer for people between 20 and 30 that works out at €600 a year but they do prorate that if you wanted to join from now until the end of the year (it's even less if you're under 24). Would make much more sense than throwing a couple of hundred quid away for a country membership just for a handicap

Gin77

Well I could save a fair few quid if I joined Slieve na mon. Plus you can do it all online, so I hear. They have 5k + members most of who never set eyes on the place.