Golf club membership cork

Tippman10

Hi all,

Just wondering if any clubs in cork don't require 2 signatures from current members to join. Ive only 1 buddy that plays golf and he's joined in Douglas which is currently closed to new members and is fairly pricey.

I live in Douglas so long-term id like to join Douglas but for the next few years I want to join a club with little or no joining fee just to get the handicap and get back into the game but each club I contact requires you to be proposed by 2 members.

I played a lot when I was younger but gave it up until last year, I'm after getting hooked again!

I love Castlemartyr and would pay the 2k joining fee they're looking for but they're insisting on 2 signatures.

Do any golfers out there in cork know where I might get in without member signatures or know any way around this?

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers

big_drive

I'd say the majority of clubs wouldn't want any signatures. Once you are willing to pay money they'll be happy!
If you explain your new to the area and don't know anyone I would presume its fine. I couldn't see too many clubs being sticky on it. If they are they don't sound like clubs that are worth joining, not very welcoming!

kiers47

Tippman10 wrote: »

Hi all,

Just wondering if any clubs in cork don't require 2 signatures from current members to join. Ive only 1 buddy that plays golf and he's joined in Douglas which is currently closed to new members and is fairly pricey.

I live in Douglas so long-term id like to join Douglas but for the next few years I want to join a club with little or no joining fee just to get the handicap and get back into the game but each club I contact requires you to be proposed by 2 members.

I played a lot when I was younger but gave it up until last year, I'm after getting hooked again!

I love Castlemartyr and would pay the 2k joining fee they're looking for but they're insisting on 2 signatures.

Do any golfers out there in cork know where I might get in without member signatures or know any way around this?

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers

Seems a bit backward for castlemartyr considering they are just out of NAMA.
I'm sure if you went down to the pro shop and had a chat with Brady he would sort you out!

Tippman10

Cheers lads, I was on to Brady but as soon as I mentioned I didn't know any members that was the end do the email thread.

I rang a few times but haven't got the call back, I got the impression they're not interested in me!

I'm not set on Castlemartyr, I just like the course. The other courses I like all have high joining fee, fota/cork, there's no point in paying that if in the long term I probably will pay the 6.5k for Douglas.

The only course I haven't played is blarney, heard its a lovely course, do ye know if they're strict?

Thanks

denishurley

Tippman, Bandon doesn't have any hello money, I'd be more than happy to round up a proposer and a seconder for ya

Tippman10

Cheers Denis, i haven't played Bandon but have heard its a good course and club. I suppose it's not much further from Douglas than Castlemartyr is.

Ideally I'd like it to be closer to home but realistically I only play On the weekends so the drive time doesn't matter too much. It's nice to get 9 in during the longer evenings in the summer so a half hour drive either side wouldn't be ideal but I'd get over it 1 or 2 evenings a week!

What's the sub in Bandon?

kiers47

Tippman10 wrote: »

Cheers lads, I was on to Brady but as soon as I mentioned I didn't know any members that was the end do the email thread.

I rang a few times but haven't got the call back, I got the impression they're not interested in me!

I'm not set on Castlemartyr, I just like the course. The other courses I like all have high joining fee, fota/cork, there's no point in paying that if in the long term I probably will pay the 6.5k for Douglas.

The only course I haven't played is blarney, heard its a lovely course, do ye know if they're strict?

Thanks

Blarney is a grand course. Some don't like it but I don't mind it tbh.

One of the mods here ssbob used to be a member there and I'm sure he would be able to put you onto someone if you were interested. Have no idea how strict they are but I wouldn't say it would be an issue.

peepee

Cheers lads, I was on to Brady but as soon as I mentioned I didn't know any members that was the end do the email thread.

I'm not sure where the awful attitude in castlemartyr is coming from. Its well known around Cork that someone joined there recently from East Cork and left because he couldn't get anyone to play with in the opens due to there being so few members. TBH until something changes down there you're better off elsewhere.

Bandon is a fine course as is Lee Valley. Don't be put off by one clubs refusal.

denishurley

Tippman10 wrote: »

Cheers Denis, i haven't played Bandon but have heard its a good course and club. I suppose it's not much further from Douglas than Castlemartyr is.

Ideally I'd like it to be closer to home but realistically I only play On the weekends so the drive time doesn't matter too much. It's nice to get 9 in during the longer evenings in the summer so a half hour drive either side wouldn't be ideal but I'd get over it 1 or 2 evenings a week!

What's the sub in Bandon?

It's somewhere around €1100 for new members I think, I'll check

Tippman10

Cheers lads, I wouldn't be put off by that, Brady might still come back to me but it's not looking too good!

I often end up going out on my own so a good friendly club where you can join up with a few other players would be good.

cairny

Mallow is another option (my home club), €699 for newbies, about 50% of the members are from the city. They use the BRS online time sheet so never any problem getting playing partners. Again I'd say about half the members play with regular buddies and half put names down on own with different fellas each week.

Tippman10

Cheers cairney, I've played mallow and it's a good course and to be fair was a very friendly club. It's an option it's just I'm on the wrong side of the city for it. It could easily take me an hour to get there by the time I get through the tunnel or the city.

It wouldn't matter too much on the weekends I suppose and I like the idea of being paired up. €699 is good for that club in fairness

big_drive

Blarney have two options

- €100 per month direct debit you get golf membership, gym membership, €20 voucher for bar/restaurant

Or

- €850 for golf only membership

Friendly club, would welcome a new member no problem.


As mentioned above Bandon and Lee Valley nice clubs as well. Have heard Lee Valley timesheet can be very busy


Bad aditude from Castlemartyr, not the first time I've heard something negative about them. At times they seem to think they're something special, not sure why

Corkblowin

I know a few who have joined Lee Valley recently due to the monthly payment option. Another possibility if you don't mind hills is Muskerry. They've done away with their upfront payment and whatever people think about the course there seems to be a good club atmosphere there.

big_drive

Corkblowin wrote: »

I know a few who have joined Lee Valley recently due to the monthly payment option. Another possibility if you don't mind hills is Muskerry. They've done away with their upfront payment and whatever people think about the course there seems to be a good club atmosphere there.

How're they getting in in Lee Valley?
I've heard some people joined but left again due to problems getting on timesheet. Also I've heard some long term members have not been too welcoming to newcomers.
Very nice course though!

Tippman10

Cheers big drive, that's the feeling I get from Castlemartyr. I thought they would welcome a new member as I've heard they have less than 200 but apparently not!

I just like that course, always seem to play reasonably well there! There's something about lee valley I just don't like, can't put my finger on it. Muskerry is nice but hilly, quite busy there I always found, can be tough to get out I'd imagine.

I'll try to get out in blarney tomorrow and Bandon next weekend and see what they say.

Corkblowin

big_drive wrote: »

How're they getting in in Lee Valley?
I've heard some people joined but left again due to problems getting on timesheet. Also I've heard some long term members have not been too welcoming to newcomers.
Very nice course though!

They did mention the sheet is tricky, but they're flexible enough about their times so no issue. As for the long term members - heard nothing but it wouldn't be surprising - when I joined Fota it was much the same with some the old lads feeling entitled. They get over it.

grip n rip

Tippman10 wrote: »

Cheers big drive, that's the feeling I get from Castlemartyr. I thought they would welcome a new member as I've heard they have less than 200 but apparently not!

I just like that course, always seem to play reasonably well there! There's something about lee valley I just don't like, can't put my finger on it. Muskerry is nice but hilly, quite busy there I always found, can be tough to get out I'd imagine.

I'll try to get out in blarney tomorrow and Bandon next weekend and see what they say.

Castlemartyr is a great course but they have big ideas on themselves no doubt about it ! If you are willing to pay douglas 6-7k why not join fota for 5 ? 27 holes and use of academy (I'm
led to believe) also less of a drive than both bandon & castlemartyr .

As for blarney its an average course , feels like a big field where you just walk up and down all day , but in fairness the greens are always good .

big_drive

Ya I suppose most clubs are like that. Older established members don't seem to like a high influx of new faces, they seem threatened by it or something!
Also I think in certain clubs some members resent the fact that they may have paid high entrance fees while new members have no entrance fees and may be paying monthly by direct debit! But that's just the times we're in, clubs need to get the money! Except castlemartyr maybe, they seem to have enough if they don't bother following up people willing to give them €2,000

Tippman10

I've seriously thought about joining fota grip n rip but Douglas just makes more sense for me long term. I can walk there from my house so I could have a pint after a round, leave the car and walk home.

Corkblowin

grip n rip wrote: »

C If you are willing to pay douglas 6-7k why not join fota for 5 ? 27 holes and use of academy (I'm
led to believe)

Academy is included plus reduced fee for the hotel gym. Year sub includes all competition fees bar the the captains & presidents.

I have heard that the entrance fee might be going back up again soon - got a lot of new members the last 18months.

grip n rip

Tippman10 wrote: »

I've seriously thought about joining fota grip n rip but Douglas just makes more sense for me long term. I can walk there from my house so I could have a pint after a round, leave the car and walk home.

Priorities are right tippman , round of golf & a few pints hard to beat it !

Corkblowin

Tippman10 wrote: »

I've seriously thought about joining fota grip n rip but Douglas just makes more sense for me long term. I can walk there from my house so I could have a pint after a round, leave the car and walk home.

Yeah thats a big bonus - would love to be able to nip out for 3 or 4 holes late in the evening. I agree about Lee Valley too - just can't seem to score in the fecking place! Obviously it must the course & not me!!

cairny

Tippman10 wrote: »

I've seriously thought about joining fota grip n rip but Douglas just makes more sense for me long term. I can walk there from my house so I could have a pint after a round, leave the car and walk home.

Fota might make a good temporary home, they have a scheme where you can take an existing members place for up to two years , you pay the full sub but the joining fee only applies if you want to stay after the two years.

big_drive

Corkblowin wrote: »

Academy is included plus reduced fee for the hotel gym. Year sub includes all competition fees bar the the captains & presidents.

I have heard that the entrance fee might be going back up again soon - got a lot of new members the last 18months.

Interesting that the entrance fee could rise in Fota. If anything you'd be thinking entrance fees would keep going down in clubs. But with new owners and the publicity of the Irish Open the place should do well

big_drive

cairny wrote: »

Fota might make a good temporary home, they have a scheme where you can take an existing members place for up to two years , you pay the full sub but the joining fee only applies if you want to stay after the two years.

That's an interesting scheme, hadn't heard about that. Is this in place of members who aren't presently playing for some reasons or another?

Tippman10

Cheers cairney, that scheme would be perfect for me if I didn't need the 2 signatures. How does it work, do I have to find a member who wants to give up or do the club have a list or something?

cairny

Tippman10 wrote: »

Cheers cairney, that scheme would be perfect for me if I didn't need the 2 signatures. How does it work, do I have to find a member who wants to give up or do the club have a list or something?

I think the club does all that for you, a friend of mine was considering it, the application form is same affiliate one they use for range members, no proposer / seconded required.

Best bet is to send them an e mail to Info at fotaisland.ie

They phoned my friend back within five minutes (he thought that was a bit needy .

Tippman10

Sound for that Cairney, I'll give them a shout tomorrow. I'll let ye know how I get on. Thanks

razorblunt

Tippman10 wrote: »

I've seriously thought about joining fota grip n rip but Douglas just makes more sense for me long term. I can walk there from my house so I could have a pint after a round, leave the car and walk home.

Ah you're a Maryborough Hill man ;-)

Tippman10

I'm top of Coach Hill razorblunt so it's a 10 minutle walk.

To update ye, fota came back to me and said that scheme does exist but you do need 2 members to sign it and you'd have to pay the full sub now for 2014, that's €1,900, and only get til December out of it. Next January it's €1,900 again for the full year, after that you must pay the joining fee if you want to stay there.

Castlemartyr also came back to me and said I don't need the signatures of 2 members so I don't know where to go now! I'll prpbably go with Fota if I can get 2 signatures.

Cheers for teh help Lads.

bigtimecharlie

Tippman10 wrote: »

Castlemartyr also came back to me and said I don't need the signatures of 2 members so I don't know where to go now! I'll prpbably go with Fota if I can get 2 signatures.

Cheers for teh help Lads.

Delighted to see that Castlemartyr don't require 2 signatures. I would join in a heartbeat when finances allow but only 200 members is a bit low to get a regular game.

Mushy

Have you considered distance membership? I got it for Templemore, it was like 120e for the year. Handy if you just want a handicap and can play in opens, but if you want regular weekend comps its obviously a non-runner.

big_drive

Interesting membership trial in Blarney. Worth it even for the €1 round, better than a green fee!

Dbu

Tippman10 wrote: »

I'm top of Coach Hill razorblunt so it's a 10 minutle walk.

To update ye, fota came back to me and said that scheme does exist but you do need 2 members to sign it and you'd have to pay the full sub now for 2014, that's €1,900, and only get til December out of it. Next January it's €1,900 again for the full year, after that you must pay the joining fee if you want to stay there.

Castlemartyr also came back to me and said I don't need the signatures of 2 members so I don't know where to go now! I'll prpbably go with Fota if I can get 2 signatures.

Cheers for teh help Lads.

Living in Coach hill, i definitely would go for Douglas...remember its a members owned club as well

aster99

Heard that Monkstown agreed to remove the entrance fee at an EGM last night and are open for membership. Might be of interest to someone here

alxmorgan

Anyone know of Cork clubs with distance membership ?
Am a member of a club at home and plan to stay that way but would be handy to have a course in Cork over summer too as stay down quite a bit with work

charlieIRL

alxmorgan wrote: »

Anyone know of Cork clubs with distance membership ?
Am a member of a club at home and plan to stay that way but would be handy to have a course in Cork over summer too as stay down quite a bit with work

Would country membership not be a better option?

alxmorgan

charlieIRL wrote: »

Would country membership not be a better option?

Truth be told I've never understood the difference

charlieIRL

alxmorgan wrote: »

Truth be told I've never understood the difference

with country you won't be a "big bold bandit" like a lot of people stereotype distance members to be!!!! :D:D:D

alxmorgan

charlieIRL wrote: »

with country you won't be a "big bold bandit" like a lot of people stereotype distance members to be!!!! :D:D:D

Well it's before the watershed so I won't tell you what those people can do for a start

Plus I'm staying full member of home club. Anyway I've seen and heard about more banditry in the last 2 months than I expected in a life time and not a single distance member in sight

cairny

alxmorgan wrote: »

Well it's before the watershed so I won't tell you what those people can do for a start

Plus I'm staying full member of home club. Anyway I've seen and heard about more banditry in the last 2 months than I expected in a life time and not a single distance member in sight

Where in Cork will you be? If it's the city area then thre are loads of options.

Most clubs do country membership so pick a course you like and contact them. I know Cobh is €200 for country membership which is a very good deal for a pretty decent standard course.

alxmorgan

cairny wrote: »

Where in Cork will you be? If it's the city area then thre are loads of options.

Most clubs do country membership so pick a course you like and contact them. I know Cobh is €200 for country membership which is a very good deal for a pretty decent standard course.

Ya City basically. That's good for Cobh. I contacted a number of them this year but they were quoting quite high prices.

Muskerry was 520
Fernhill was 280
Raffeen which I joined this year is 150 (but I'd prefer a bigger course)

moycullen14

aster99 wrote: »

Heard that Monkstown agreed to remove the entrance fee at an EGM last night and are open for membership. Might be of interest to someone here

How times have changed. There was a time that you couldn't get in there for love or money.

Was talking to a member recently and he felt the imposition of levies to pay for the clubhouse debt had gone down very badly and they were losing a lot of members.

Loire

aster99 wrote: »

Heard that Monkstown agreed to remove the entrance fee at an EGM last night and are open for membership. Might be of interest to someone here

Sub is 1,450 though I believe which is quite steep IMO

HB2002

Loire wrote: »

Sub is 1,450 though I believe which is quite steep IMO

I believe the new membership is limited to 50, not sure if that is true or not.

Loire

Any Lee Valley members here? Have always heard that it can be difficult to get on the timesheet and just wondering if this is still the case?

Thanks,
Loire.

hades

Was talking to a lad last week and he mentioned that its after getting better about getting on the timesheet. But he said its tough to be able to get out with a buddy, so you're normally playing with a randomer. That wouldn't bother me, as its good to play with different people.

titlebearer

Loire wrote: »

Any Lee Valley members here? Have always heard that it can be difficult to get on the timesheet and just wondering if this is still the case?

Thanks,
Loire.

Im a new member to Lee Valley and the timesheets can be an issue sometimes. In the summer the members times were extended due to early morning sunrise. It will be interesting to see how busy the timesheet will be in the winter when the timesheet will be only open for a limited time. However, saying that generally you'll always get a game and talking to other members recently there is roughly about a 70% increase in new members compared to older members. The atmosphere around the club is great and the Guinness served is the best in Cork IMO.

Loire

titlebearer wrote: »

Im a new member to Lee Valley and the timesheets can be an issue sometimes. In the summer the members times were extended due to early morning sunrise. It will be interesting to see how busy the timesheet will be in the winter when the timesheet will be only open for a limited time. However, saying that generally you'll always get a game and talking to other members recently there is roughly about a 70% increase in new members compared to older members. The atmosphere around the club is great and the Guinness served is the best in Cork IMO.

That could swing it :pac:

titlebearer

Loire wrote: »

That could swing it :pac:

Its important to get the priorities right....