Should I join a club?

kavo87

Just recently taken up playing since July playing par 3 courses close by. Played my first ever 18 holes on Friday on a full course and loved the whole experience shooting 118. I've been thinking of joining a club as I really want to improve and once i get my hc aiming to get it as low as possible which I know can be a slow progress. I love my sports and do get very competitive and determined to do the best as I can and love the thoughts of the challenges of playing golf. The problem is I'm in college and work as well so I could only play Mon-Fri till the summer when college is over, and of course the bad weather is starting to come in.

Anyone one any suggestions for me would it be worth joining a club? Or what other options would I have? I was thinking of maybe joining bray doing the 5 day membership. I live in the dun laoghaire area if that helps.

charlieIRL

If your a student you can avail of a student membership somewhere.

kavo87

charlieIRL wrote: »

If your a student you can avail of a student membership somewhere.

I was thinking that and had a look at the local clubs and none seem to offer student membership unfortunately

Senecio

Don't be afraid to ask, student memberships often aren't advertised.

Not trying to discourage you, but one round of 18 holes is probably too early to be deciding to join. It can be a considerable investment. Just get out there and play in what ever form is available to you (par 3, nine holes). Hopefully you'll still enjoy it and you'll be more comfortable handing over the money for a membership.

kavo87

Senecio wrote: »

Don't be afraid to ask, student memberships often aren't advertised.

Not trying to discourage you, but one round of 18 holes is probably too early to be deciding to join. It can be a considerable investment. Just get out there and play in what ever form is available to you (par 3, nine holes). Hopefully you'll still enjoy it and you'll be more comfortable handing over the money for a membership.

I'll send them a mail today asking if they offered that sure no harm in trying.

Ah no not at all I know what you mean it is a lot of money. I'm just thinking about it at the moment, my two uncles play and one is a member in bray. One is saying join it'll be worth it and the other saying wait of till I'm finished college which will be in 4 years time so I'll get most out of it.

I've been getting out as much as I can as you've suggested. I can get green vouchers to play in bray, so I can do that for a while to keep me interested. I do like the idea of getting my hc and trying to improve it which I can only get if I'm a member of a club?

First Up

kavo87 wrote: »

I'll send them a mail today asking if they offered that sure no harm in trying.

Ah no not at all I know what you mean it is a lot of money. I'm just thinking about it at the moment, my two uncles play and one is a member in bray. One is saying join it'll be worth it and the other saying wait of till I'm finished college which will be in 4 years time so I'll get most out of it.

I've been getting out as much as I can as you've suggested. I can get green vouchers to play in bray, so I can do that for a while to keep me interested. I do like the idea of getting my hc and trying to improve it which I can only get if I'm a member of a club?

Almost every golfer wishes he had taken it up earlier. If you are in to it now and have the time and means to play even a bit, your game will be all the better for it by the time you can take it more seriously.

But I wouldn't bother joining a club at this time of year, unless they are offering knock-down deals. Better to try to play a few places and see where you like. The handicap can wait.

What is your transport situation? Hard to play this game without having a car.

kavo87

First Up wrote: »

Almost every golfer wishes he had taken it up earlier. If you are in to it now and have the time and means to play even a bit, your game will be all the better for it by the time you can take it more seriously.

But I wouldn't bother joining a club at this time of year, unless they are offering knock-down deals. Better to try to play a few places and see where you like. The handicap can wait.

What is your transport situation? Hard to play this game without having a car.

Yeah very true I do wish I started early always said I'll love to learn and play, maybe I was too caught up with my football at the time. Glad I've started now finding it great to distress myself from my worries for those few hours.

Yeah your right with the bad weather and winter setting in probably is the worst time to join and invest so much as prices haven't dropped from what I can tell.

I do have a car so can travel to play only problem is I don't really have a partner to play with. I play par 3 by myself no problem as I'm able for it, but a full course is a different story. I will play a round by myself tho if need be as I just want to improve.

First Up

kavo87 wrote: »

Yeah very true I do wish I started early always said I'll love to learn and play, maybe I was too caught up with my football at the time. Glad I've started now finding it great to distress myself from my worries for those few hours.

Yeah your right with the bad weather and winter setting in probably is the worst time to join and invest so much as prices haven't dropped from what I can tell.

I do have a car so can travel to play only problem is I don't really have a partner to play with. I play par 3 by myself no problem as I'm able for it, but a full course is a different story. I will play a round by myself tho if need be as I just want to improve.

Maybe you should just work on it over the winter and look at joining somewhere in the Spring. Most clubs run open competitions during the year. Strictly speaking you should have a GUI handicap but most will be happy to let you play (they will take your money!). You won't be able to enter the competition but you should be able to join up with some others.

kavo87

First Up wrote: »

Maybe you should just work on it over the winter and look at joining somewhere in the Spring. Most clubs run open competitions during the year. Strictly speaking you should have a GUI handicap but most will be happy to let you play (they will take your money!). You won't be able to enter the competition but you should be able to join up with some others.

Yeah I'll look into that thanks. At the end of the day I just want to play and enjoying doing so. The more I can play hopefully the more ill improve. I do want to get the best value for my money so not going to just throw it away on a membership I won't use.