The 'Members Bar' Poll

Kevinmarkham

Simple question: Are Members Bars still an important clubhouse facility or have they become redundant... or do they make no difference to you?

(Mod: Please delete previous thread of same title. Tks)

FixdePitchmark

I'm not a fan of them for separating members from non members - but now that I have been in a club a while I see that they add considerably to the options.

For example, you can have funerals / christenings / you name it, in main lounge. Lads coming in for a quick pint / post round meal are looking for something else. The members bar is it.

But it is seriously first world problems - there are very few clubs in the country that would operate their members bar in the traditional formal way. You will be very quickly invited in if you tried to observe that sort of formality in our place.

In Dublin I can think of very few places that it is formally imposed.

Seve OB

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I'm not a fan of them for separating members from non members - but now that I have been in a club a while I see that they add considerably to the options.

For example, you can have funerals / christenings / you name it, in main lounge. Lads coming in for a quick pint / post round meal are looking for something else. The members bar is it.

But it is seriously first world problems - there are very few clubs in the country that would operate their members bar in the traditional formal way. You will be very quickly invited in if you tried to observe that sort of formality in our place.

In Dublin I can think of very few places that it is formally imposed.

One place you would imagine that it would be strictly implemented I guess would be Royal Dublin. However, they have a door to the members bar and a door for the pilgrims, then when you are inside, it is all just a big open plan bar anyway!

I was going to suggest there is no need to separate a members bar. Sure ours is more or less like Royal Dublin with the doors pretty much always open and no strict enforcement on it being only for members. I do see Fix's point though regarding having somewhere to go after your golf if the club are hosting a function. Rather than a "members bar" though, I would see it working better if it were more like a traditional pub with a bar and a lounge seperation, with no restrictions on the bar being for members only.

I didn't go last night Kevin, but I heard a whisper of some of the ideas. I'll get the low down from the old man later on. I take it you attended? What are your thoughts?

the lawman

If I had my way I'd remove all bars altogether. Replace with something that would suit everyone.

I don't drink and I know there are loads like me. Make a culture change and get more people into the clubhouse.

Kevinmarkham

Seve OB wrote: »

One place you would imagine that it would be strictly implemented I guess would be Royal Dublin. However, they have a door to the members bar and a door for the pilgrims, then when you are inside, it is all just a big open plan bar anyway!

I was going to suggest there is no need to separate a members bar. Sure ours is more or less like Royal Dublin with the doors pretty much always open and no strict enforcement on it being only for members. I do see Fix's point though regarding having somewhere to go after your golf if the club are hosting a function. Rather than a "members bar" though, I would see it working better if it were more like a traditional pub with a bar and a lounge seperation, with no restrictions on the bar being for members only.

I didn't go last night Kevin, but I heard a whisper of some of the ideas. I'll get the low down from the old man later on. I take it you attended? What are your thoughts?

Fabulous ideas for the course. Seriously impressed by what Kimber Design presented. Let's just say the current 10th could be the new 12th... playing in the opposite direction... with water!

And Fix is right about the functions thing - it's good to have two 'areas' so that there can be multiple uses. My main concern in a clubhouse is the sign on the door that says 'Members Bar'. I know there's a clubhouse up north where they have two adjoining areas with different names... just like the lounge/bar separation you mention. That works for me!

Seve OB

the lawman wrote: »

If I had my way I'd remove all bars altogether. Replace with something that would suit everyone.

I don't drink and I know there are loads like me. Make a culture change and get more people into the clubhouse.

By that logic, you should make drinking against the law and shut down every pub in the country. :rolleyes: Just because you don't drink, doesn't mean others can't.

There is absolutely nothing in the world that suits everyone, so the best thing you can do is try to accommodate as many as possible. So add, rather than replace. Lots of clubs have snooker rooms, bridge nights, dance nights, dinner nights etc etc. By adding services, you will get more people into the clubhouse, but by replacing the bars, you will turn people away.

the lawman

No idea where you got 'banning drinking' and 'shutting down bars' from my post at all. I don't go into the clubhouse because it tends just to be a few lads hanging around the bar with pints. Not my scene and I know loads others who feel the same. If there was something else in it's place it might bring more people in long term.

I know it's a 'crazy' idea but hey you never know it just might work.

Does drinking alcohol have to be connected with every single hobby/pursuit/past-time in this country? Just my opinion on the matter.

FixdePitchmark

the lawman wrote: »

If I had my way I'd remove all bars altogether. Replace with something that would suit everyone.

I don't drink and I know there are loads like me. Make a culture change and get more people into the clubhouse.

I think the drink driving laws have changed things in clubhouses.

In my place about 25 % of lads would be having 1 pint - the rest would be eating, talking and having coffee etc.

I think in general, society has changed and people in their 30/40 are more family/work centric - to an almost self detrimental level. Many of these people - (good friends of mine) - are almost incapable of exiting their work / life / get home routine. In fact, they have been given the rather uncomplimentary nickname the car park member - in reality most of these lads will never be a member of a club - until about 45 when they go - what was the last 10 years all about. The kids want nothing to do with me - I've no friends and there is no statue up in work for me.

Our generation is a funny one - we have great social networks , but have almost lost the art of socialising, mixing, being a neighbour.

Sorry that is getting a bit social commentary there

Agree - you can look at clubhouses in a new way - one thing that golf has not got right is a fitness centre as part of the clubhouse - I think this will happen.

But , talking about a round over a drink - is a critical part of the game that we seems to have forgotten about.

I think you would be surprised how well that can be done without "real drinking" - I certainly was , but you have to actaully make the effort. I would suggest the drinking that takes place in golf clubs now - is actaully a drinking culture that Irish people need to consider. Once we don't get anymore controlling and puritanical with laws.

Dtoffee

I think its old school and elitist in many ways as it separates and devides. I know some clubs have parties/weddings/funerals etc, but theres no need to label an area 'members only' as it is restrictive my opinion. I like the spike bar in my club and use it far more than I use the more formal lounge. These days many golf clubs need to be more welcoming for visitors and guests, especially if the revenue generated goes to help keep the annual subs cost down.

I think the title 'Members bar' is often enough to put people off golf clubs, but fully accept that some people like to feel they are deserving of a special members area and its basically down to the decision makers at each club to decide.

midnight city

Our place is always complaining that not enough people are going up to the bar. Its difficult for people to take a few pints after the golf now as they need or organise lifts etc. But if you ask for a coffee they pull out an aul cheap jar of instant coffee and make you a cup, there is no decent coffee or decaff options for tea or coffee. With so little people drinking alcohol after golf now you'd imagine having other options would be a good idea. Get people in the door and they might order food etc then.

Kevinmarkham

midnight city wrote: »

Our place is always complaining that not enough people are going up to the bar. Its difficult for people to take a few pints after the golf now as they need or organise lifts etc. But if you ask for a coffee they pull out an aul cheap jar of instant coffee and make you a cup, there is no decent coffee or decaff options for tea or coffee. With so little people drinking alcohol after golf now you'd imagine having other options would be a good idea. Get people in the door and they might order food etc then.

Seriously? Instant coffee in a clubhouse bar? Someone needs to tell your club it's not the 1980s anymore... and put away those damn flairs while they're at it.

FixdePitchmark

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Seriously? Instant coffee in a clubhouse bar? Someone needs to tell your club it's not the 1980s anymore... and put away those damn flairs while they're at it.

I know finances are different in different locations.

But there is no excuse for bad food and poor coffee in this day an age.

If you don't get them right these days - the clubhouse will die for sure.

Tilikum

We had a members bar in our old club house. I was young teen at the time but I remember it. Great craic in it. Women were not allowed in, but any men that had paid green fees on the day were.

Seve OB

Tilikum wrote: »

We had a members bar in our old club house. I was young teen at the time but I remember it. Great craic in it. Women were not allowed in, but any men that had paid green fees on the day were.

Ah I remember the old bar in our old clubhouse when I was a teen.... Oh, wait, no I don't actually, cause I had to sit on the step outside and wait for my dad to bring me out a Robinsons squash and a kit-kat if I was really lucky! Thank god those days are gone.

Kevinmarkham wrote: »

Fabulous ideas for the course. Seriously impressed by what Kimber Design presented. Let's just say the current 10th could be the new 12th... playing in the opposite direction... with water!

Just took a look there online. It's poor resolution, very blurry, so hopefully they will put up a better quality one or email it. So I can't really read it, but WOW, I can see them map! It looks fantastic. First thing that stood out for me was the proposed 1st hole and the right of way. I never thought that could be possible, but maybe they could put a tunnel in down through the dip of the old 16th green. They seem to utilize some of the dead space we have around the place quite well. Really good ideas in there. Playoff hole is a class idea and I guess it could be used as a winter hole maybe when we play 14 holes.

As for the clubhouse ideas...... I really don't see the need to persist with having a "members bar", and I think the designs need work!

Jawgap

The idea of a 'members bar' is a bit anachronistic in this day and age, but a bar divided into different spaces is a good idea.....ours has a 'members bar' but no one is really that fussed if non-members are in there. It's really the bit of the bar where everyone watches the sports leaving the rest for groups, people who want have a chat or food.

Given the club is local, the bar is a useful amenity but not essential - I'd rather have a good course and a poor clubhouse, than the other way around.