Joining a club dilemma

Dr.Rieux

Hi all,

I am looking at joining a club in the new year but have a bit of a dilemma about where to look.

I am currently working in Athlone and living there midweek, but due to circumstances beyond my control I am only in Athlone about one weekend every 3 months or so, the rest I am up in Dublin. I can guarantee that this will continue until June at the very earliest and I would say sometime in the following 6 months it is likely that I would be moving full time to Dublin but realistically that wouldn't be until October/November at the earliest.

Ideally I'd like to get out at the weekends and mid-week evenings (once the days start to get a bit longer).

For looking at memberships what you do if it was you? Athlone or Dublin?

dan_ep82

Dr.Rieux wrote: »

Hi all,

I am looking at joining a club in the new year but have a bit of a dilemma about where to look.

I am currently working in Athlone and living there midweek, but due to circumstances beyond my control I am only in Athlone about one weekend every 3 months or so, the rest I am up in Dublin. I can guarantee that this will continue until June at the very earliest and I would say sometime in the following 6 months it is likely that I would be moving full time to Dublin but realistically that wouldn't be until October/November at the earliest.

Ideally I'd like to get out at the weekends and mid-week evenings (once the days start to get a bit longer).

For looking at memberships what you do if it was you? Athlone or Dublin?

It looks like you'll have to pay green fee's either mid week or weekend with the membership covering the rest.

If it was a case of money, and both memberships cost the same, I'd pick Dublin membership and use green fee's mid week in athlone, providing the weekends in Dublin are more per game than mid week in Athlone.

Dr.Rieux

Cheers Dan, I was thinking something similar alright and will have to start looking at clubs

Would I be eligible for a distance membership in this case? Given my main residence would be Athlone I would assume, given I'm there 5 days of the week?

charlieIRL

I take up the new member deal in athlone and pay green fees in dublin. If your first handicap is over 18 there is a plumbers league on a monday and wednesday is open day. You won't get a better membership deal for under €500

slave1

Halfway house maybe, like New Forest?

Jimdagym

Is there any argument for waiting till your situation becomes more settled and you spend the money on green fees?

PARlance

Dr.Rieux wrote: »

Cheers Dan, I was thinking something similar alright and will have to start looking at clubs

Would I be eligible for a distance membership in this case? Given my main residence would be Athlone I would assume, given I'm there 5 days of the week?

I think you'll find it hard to get clubs in Dublin that offer distance membership Doc.

Are you available to play morning golf at the weekends? It looks like your schedule is that of someone doing a weekend college course?
If this was the case then you might not be able to take advantage of club comps at the weekend.

If I was you I'd go for Athlone, you're spending 5/7 days there and paying a lot less that you would in Dublin. The only drawback is that weekend golf will be casual rounds, you'll struggle to get an Open on at the weekend.

Dr.Rieux

Jimdagym wrote: »

Is there any argument for waiting till your situation becomes more settled and you spend the money on green fees?

That is what I was also thinking but would like to get myself a handicap to be honest.

PARlance wrote: »

I think you'll find it hard to get clubs in Dublin that offer distance membership Doc.

Are you available to play morning golf at the weekends? It looks like your schedule is that of someone doing a weekend college course?
If this was the case then you might not be able to take advantage of club comps at the weekend.

If I was you I'd go for Athlone, you're spending 5/7 days there and paying a lot less that you would in Dublin. The only drawback is that weekend golf will be casual rounds, you'll struggle to get an Open on at the weekend.

I'm from Dublin but working down in Athlone and am committed to be there until June at the earliest (as far as I can work out Rikand would know my situation regarding that). My girlfriend is working in Dublin for the foreseeable future (3 years) and has classes weekend mornings so weekends for me will be in Dublin. So weekday mornings are the most suitable for me in fact.

Dr.Rieux

Cheers to all for the comments, a lot to weigh up I know but all advice and opinions are very welcome and appreciated

PARlance

Dr.Rieux wrote: »

That is what I was also thinking but would like to get myself a handicap to be honest.



I'm from Dublin but working down in Athlone and am committed to be there until June at the earliest (as far as I can work out Rikand would know my situation regarding that). My girlfriend is working in Dublin for the foreseeable future (3 years) and has classes weekend mornings so weekends for me will be in Dublin. So weekday mornings are the most suitable for me in fact.

Ha, well I know where he works so I know where you work
If you're just starting out, I'd go for the club that you can get most practice in with. If I was down there by myself I think I'd be out everyday.
A bit of a risk if you mightn't get the full year down there, all the more reason to be there as much as possible outside of work.