How much is your membership?

backspin.

How much is your membership?

backspin.

I made a bit of a mess of the poll by trying to put the € sign in.

charlieIRL

Won’t let me put in the euro symbol either so I took it out altogether.

Rikand

Nice even spread so far

Paying 700 myself.

dan_ep82

Mine works out at about €550 for because I'm under 30.

Over 35 is about €1100.

While the cost, practice facilities are brillant I just can't warm to the course so I'm moving to a more expensive course that I enjoy next year.

redzerdrog

Close to €1250 but at least it is guaranteed golf all year round!

1983ish

350 til march 2018 pay and play.
20 weekends 15 midweek
All the gui benefits
In Dublin

backspin.

The majority are over 1500 which is surprising. I didn't realise it was as expensive in Ireland.

dan_ep82

backspin. wrote: »

The majority are over 1500 which is surprising. I didn't realise it was as expensive in Ireland.

I think thats due to most boards members beibg from Dublin.

SuprSi

I'm in the UK and this year it was around £1700, with an agreed 5% increase for next year it'll be nearly £1800. I can justify it as the club only has 350 members and it's an amazing course, however it's definitely not cheap!

Having said that, when I was a (lease) member of South County, I was paying €200 per month.

razorblunt

I've just moved house and I'm due to play 3 courses in the next few weeks, all indicated that they'd be willing to drop the joining fee and drop the membership yearly rate to below 700 so I just fall into that bracket.

I've played 2 of the courses before I just a) wanted a free round and b) wanted them to know I have options. The 3rd course is closest, but I've heard it gets really soft underfoot in winter, then again, it's Scotland, I'm not sure what else to expect!

frink

€2,400 for myself. Its a lot but best course/facilities in the area in my opinion so worth the expense

pinkdoubleeagle

frink wrote: »

€2,400 for myself. Its a lot but best course/facilities in the area in my opinion so worth the expense

You would need to play 3 times a week to justify that fee.

Derek Zoolander

pinkdoubleeagle wrote: »

You would need to play 3 times a week to justify that fee.

Membership to all though is not a zero sum game.

For membership to a decent club there are intangibles that you can't just put in a spreadsheet and equate to a weekly outlay.

although is its a decent course and the green fee is 100 quid then you'd only need to play once a week to get your investment back

Ronney

Derek Zoolander wrote: »

Membership to all though is not a zero sum game.

For membership to a decent club there are intangibles that you can't just put in a spreadsheet and equate to a weekly outlay.

although is its a decent course and the green fee is 100 quid then you'd only need to play once a week to get your investment back

Very true, if you just put down cost per round then most Dublin clubs at €2000+ would make little sense.

What you are really gaining is things like the ability to nip out for 6 holes in the evening or not be gone for 6 hours on a saturday to play your game

PARlance

Ronney wrote: »

Very true, if you just put down cost per round then most Dublin clubs at €2000+ would make little sense.

What you are really gaining is things like the ability to nip out for 6 holes in the evening or not be gone for 6 hours on a saturday to play your game

The fact is that you've a much higher baseline in Dublin, you won't get many for under €1,000... for e.g Grange Castle, which would be known as an affordable club, is €1,049 p.a.

I think the cheapest in Dublin is Corballis at €700 p.a. That's probably the average for a standard Club well outside the Pale.

frink

Derek Zoolander wrote: »

Membership to all though is not a zero sum game.

For membership to a decent club there are intangibles that you can't just put in a spreadsheet and equate to a weekly outlay.

although is its a decent course and the green fee is 100 quid then you'd only need to play once a week to get your investment back

Agreed, the key reason for me being a member there are what is has to offer:
27 holes so can always get out in the evening or at weekends
Very few societies held so don't lose full days on timesheet
Full indoor/outdoor range, chipping area, pitching area
Playable all year round, never closes for waterlogged course. Frost does become an issue in winter months though
15 mins drive from the house, so easily can get 9-12 holes on a summer evening.
Good family club, ran by the members.

jamok

After getting back into the Game after a 4 year Hiatus I joined a club on a Pro Rata fee from July.

Cost me 320 for the last 6 months of the year.

I wont be there next year for a variety of reasons so the Club I expect to join in 2018 is €1200.

36 holes.
Two putting greens, Practice area and 10 mins from the house so hopefully will work out good.

Russman

Ronney wrote: »

Very true, if you just put down cost per round then most Dublin clubs at €2000+ would make little sense.

What you are really gaining is things like the ability to nip out for 6 holes in the evening or not be gone for 6 hours on a saturday to play your game

Absolutely this ^^^^

Obviously everyone has their own circumstances to consider but I could never justify golf if I was to just divide the annual sub by the number of rounds I play. I doubt anyone could.
For me the 6 or 9 holes one or two evenings a week in the summer, often at the drop of a hat, make the sub worthwhile. Along with the intangible "being a member of a club" which I know some people don't care about one way or the other, but I'm there since I was probably 10 years old, early 40s now :eek:, so its just become a "thing" at this point !

Paying €1,200 currently, but new members can come in for €840 til Dec 2018. It grates a little, but needs must I guess.

Jawgap

I think value depends on amenity - I doubt, for example, I'd pay over €1500 for a fab course with first class practice facilities if it was 30 minutes drive away.....

......but I'd probably pay it for my current club because it's a decent club of a reasonable quality, right on my doorstep meaning nipping down for 6 holes or a bit of putting practice and a pint is never an issue. It also, in my view, makes it feel like it is a club I'm a part of, not just a course I play golf on.

I've been to a lot of clubs with superb facilities, but their location in relation to their members seems to mean that the place gets hammered on a weekend, then can be a bit deserted mid-week.

eoghan104

At the moment my fee is €1,050 but going to €1,350 next year.

The discussion on cost per game here is a valid one for me. This year I left my club after 15 years and joined somewhere new. I have played more golf this year than ever but less than ever in my home club. This means my cost per game is huge and I feel like I am over paying.

Next year I am going to join Castleknock and use the credit based membership for €1,450 I did a quick cost analysis and based on this year I will save about €650 over the year that I will be able to spend in the shop or bar so it's a big difference.

I wish more clubs would follow this credit model as I think it is a much better fit for the modern game when people have less time and there is a more nomadic style of membership where people don't join for life.

mike12

1350 but for that get 36 holes and use of the gym and pool. So decent value if u are a gym user.
You can't put a price on a course bring close to work and home.

moycullen14

Interesting how proximity is so important. Must admit, it is the same for me. My club would never be considered a great course but it's fine, it does me and it's 5 minutes away.

I just love being able to hop up for a quick 6/9 holes in the summer, a quick pint and home. Just great and the place is usually quiet - one of the advantages of the downturn, I guess.

€700 per year by the way.

Tom.D.BJJ

Just over 1300 this year. Very happy with the club and course. Its about fifteeen mins away from my house for my early tee times, and about thirty mins in evening traffic for those sneaky nine holes in the evening. Putting green, chipping area and range for irons. Busy enough timesheet, but never an issue getting a slot.

TitianGerm

My dad switched clubs about four years ago now. Previous club was €800 a year and new one is a bit over €1000.

The new club is about 30 minutes away whereas the previous one was five minutes out the road.

He decided to change for two reasons
1. It was very hard to get a competition slot on a Sunday morning.
2. The club was starting to let a few undesirables join (clubs been stolen from bags etc)

An added bonus to the new club that he didn't consider is it is very dry underfoot and very rarely closed due to rain, which was a big problem in the old club.

AnneFrank

It would be great if people named the courses so we could have a better understanding,
i'm not a member of anywhere currently but was a member of Stackstown at one point

fred funk }{

Maybe it would have been worth adding if you think it's good value for you. For example, ours is about €900 and I get great value out of it as I'm playing or practicing most days over the summer (course very nearby).

If I didn't use it as much then I would think its a bit too dear so I think value is relative to the amount it's used.

dan_ep82

I see alot of people getting out for a few holes and I'm envious.

Generally I start 7-8am and get home 7-9pm on average so its just not an option for me no matter how close it is.

I've been a member of 3 courses for different lengths of time and they all had a draw back.

Rathcore was too far from me and closed every second week during the winter. No range/chipping area at the time.

Headfort got expensive for the one round every two weeks I was playing. Very hard to get out on the Old mid week, the New was always free but I needed to be on form to enjoy it. Too many team events at the weekends which didnt suit me.

Tara (current) has plenty of singles, great practice facilities, easy to get in the time sheet and OK in the winter BUT I just can't warm to the course. In fact after playing it so often I simply don't like it where as I didnt have feelings either way when i joined.

2018 I'm planning to join Ardee. I play here often on the Open Thursday (one of my days off) and I enjoy it everytime even when I'm playing bad.

I've tried top class courses, cheap courses and ones somewhere in between and haven't felt happy so I'm hoping a course I like can hit the sweet spot.

Glebee

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I see alot of people getting out for a few holes and I'm envious.

Generally I start 7-8am and get home 7-9pm on average so its just not an option for me no matter how close it is.

I've been a member of 3 courses for different lengths of time and they all had a draw back.

Rathcore was too far from me and closed every second week during the winter. No range/chipping area at the time.

Headfort got expensive for the one round every two weeks I was playing. Very hard to get out on the Old mid week, the New was always free but I needed to be on form to enjoy it. Too many team events at the weekends which didnt suit me.

Tara (current) has plenty of singles, great practice facilities, easy to get in the time sheet and OK in the winter BUT I just can't warm to the course. In fact after playing it so often I simply don't like it where as I didnt have feelings either way when i joined.

2018 I'm planning to join Ardee. I play here often on the Open Thursday (one of my days off) and I enjoy it everytime even when I'm playing bad.

I've tried top class courses, cheap courses and ones somewhere in between and haven't felt happy so I'm hoping a course I like can hit the sweet spot.

Had to double look at that, thought it said Adare:D

dan_ep82

Glebee wrote: »

Had to double look at that, thought it said Adare:D

Ha, would nice but no.

tayto lover

835 inc locker, insurance and 100 bar/rest levy which I can spend over the year.
When choosing I looked for a course I can play all year round with rarely being on temporary greens and one which is not hilly so I can play until i'm really old or incapacitated.
Greenore, Co. Louth.

Barnaboy

699 plus GUI, no bar levy. New Forest in Westmeath.

Really struggling to decide on whether to stay in 2018. Course just doesn't seem to suit my game. Facilities decent enough but not enough investment in the course. Too slow to address serious problem with 5th green and now it may have to be dug up.....

Close to home, 10 mins. Like most this is a big part of the decision. Thinking of returning to Castlebarna but definitely not as good a course. Would join Tullamore if it was a bit closer to home.

Mantis Toboggan

PARlance wrote: »

The fact is that you've a much higher baseline in Dublin, you won't get many for under €1,000... for e.g Grange Castle, which would be known as an affordable club, is €1,049 p.a.

That's a 200 euro increase year on year for Grange Castle. Sign of the times I suppose but it makes up my mind about leaving. 550 next year in my new club so will use the money saved on lessons and new clubs.

ridonkulous

Barnaboy wrote: »

699 plus GUI, no bar levy. New Forest in Westmeath.

Really struggling to decide on whether to stay in 2018. Course just doesn't seem to suit my game. Facilities decent enough but not enough investment in the course. Too slow to address serious problem with 5th green and now it may have to be dug up.....

Close to home, 10 mins. Like most this is a big part of the decision. Thinking of returning to Castlebarna but definitely not as good a course. Would join Tullamore if it was a bit closer to home.

€699 for that place is great value in my opinion and if you're living in the area even better. I played there for the first time this year and I was blown away, at €20 it's one of the best value courses in the country. I've not played many in that area to compare it against but I was really really impressed.

I'm in St Margaret's myself, first year there so it was €1,050 and next year it'll be €1,150. I think it's great value. I'm living on the south side of Dublin city so it's by no means close to me but I've a few friends who are members there and I'm originally from that area so I find it works for me. I'll definitely be rejoining next year and I don't see me moving on any time soon.

Barnaboy

ridonkulous wrote: »

€699 for that place is great value in my opinion and if you're living in the area even better. I played there for the first time this year and I was blown away, at €20 it's one of the best value courses in the country. I've not played many in that area to compare it against but I was really really impressed.

It is a great course! I just can't score on it and getting frustrated. All my best golf in 2017 was away from the place. Nothing to do with the value for money....

Also as a members course it is not great. Numbers very low, way too easy to get a tee time on a Sunday morning. Clubhouse not really a clubhouse. It's the basement of a hotel.

Owners far more interested in developing hotel than golf course. Restaurant too posh, nowhere for golfers to eat basic grub (soup, sandwiches burgers etc). Even carton house, druids Glen etc do this.

ridonkulous

Barnaboy wrote: »

It is a great course! I just can't score on it and getting frustrated. All my best golf in 2017 was away from the place. Nothing to do with the value for money....

Also as a members course it is not great. Numbers very low, way too easy to get a tee time on a Sunday morning. Clubhouse not really a clubhouse. It's the basement of a hotel.

Owners far more interested in developing hotel than golf course. Restaurant too posh, nowhere for golfers to eat basic grub (soup, sandwiches burgers etc). Even carton house, druids Glen etc do this.

I have to agree with you on the food situation. We went in after our round looking for 4 burgers and chips and couldn't get that. Basically it was order from the menu or nothing to the point of not even being able to accommodate us in making a few basic sandwiches so needless to say we moved on and ate elsewhere which was a real shame and cost the restaurant an easy €60. It was a surprising set up.

billy3sheets

ridonkulous wrote: »

I'm in St Margaret's myself, first year there so it was €1,050 and next year it'll be €1,150. I think it's great value. I'm living on the south side of Dublin city so it's by no means close to me but I've a few friends who are members there and I'm originally from that area so I find it works for me. I'll definitely be rejoining next year and I don't see me moving on any time soon.

I'm in St Margaret's too in my 2nd year for €1,150. It's well run by Synergy Golf but there are large blocks shut off for society and there were a few corporate days this year where the whole course was closed to members. I guess they have to maximize the throughput on the course to make it a viable business so there is a price to pay. Mostly though it's possible to get out on Saturday and Sunday comps even if you have to sweat it on the Waiting List for a day or 2. I think it's full enough now and priced fairly but they need to be careful not to over subscribe it or it will drive away members.
For me the proximity is key. I live 15mins away in off-peak times, 25 maybe at rush hour. I spent more time on the course on late summer evenings than in competitions. Also, most of the members are local from North Dublin city/county area. Many go in for the food (which is excellent) and a chat after the game and you often bump into them around the locality.

Rikand

Rikand wrote: »

Nice even spread so far

Paying 700 myself.

Athlone here.

A new member could join the club for less than 500 Euro on the incentive deal. It would be 600 quid for year 2 and then full price afterwards. Great course which is open all year long*

*unless the Shannon massively bursts its banks which has only happened twice in its history

charlieIRL

Come back to Castle Barna so!! I need someone to play 18 holes with on a Thursday and none of this 9 hole non-counting stuff!!

Am a member in Castle Barna for the last few years, lovely friendly spot and not a bad course at all. Not very convenient from home but only 10 mins from the office so very handy drop in for a a few holes after work. I rarely play on Sundays but it adds nearly 2 hours onto the round if i do. €500 for full male membership and various options to suit all needs. Children of members are also deemed members as well which is fantastic as its a great incentive for young kids to play and future members.

I was contemplating moving to Tullamore / Moate for next year for one of the reason's mentioned above - I normally play weekdays and Thursday is our open day. There is also a non-counting 9 hole competition running concurrently, problem is every is playing the 9 holes and very few the 18. Was ok for a while but during the summer you want to be playing 18 and trying to get handicap down. If the 9 was counting then I'd be fine with that but it was voted against at an AGM. As I play so few Sundays I struggle even to get enough cards played to keep handicap valid.

Was a previous member in Moate, handy as is halfway home from work so less of a spin each way so might see about it for next year.

Wichita Lineman

Come on back to Moate Charlie, we'd love to have you! There is actually an offer on here right now that you can join for €550 (inc GUI fee)and you are a full member until February 2019 so that's an extra few months for free and like Castle Barna, members kids go free. Give me a shout if you need any more information.

benny79

Over €1500 is leading the way :eek: Dont think I could afford a club Id like in Dublin!
Athy Golf Club myself €720 with €50 bar + Restaurant tab. Its €500 for new members for the first year.

Voted the dryest inland course in Leinster many times hardly ever closed. It has its problems nothing major course is always kept in super nick 5 mins drive. I just think they could do more for juniors as there is hardly any!

They run 8 weeks free lessons for women to get them into golf every April and if they join they get it for €200 till end of year! have never seen a course with so many women on it! so it's clearly working.

So if your looking for a golf widow you know where to join

Mantis Toboggan

benny79 wrote: »

Over €1500 is leading the way :eek: Dont think I could afford a club Id like in Dublin!
Athy Golf Club myself €720 with €50 bar + Restaurant tab. Its €500 for new members for the first year.

Voted the dryest inland course in Leinster many times hardly ever closed. It has its problems nothing major course is always kept in super nick 5 mins drive. I just think they could do more for juniors as there is hardly any!

They run 8 weeks free lessons for women to get them into golf every April and if they join they get it for €200 till end of year! have never seen a course with so many women on it! so it's clearly working.

So if your looking for a golf widow you know where to join

Was talking to a lad a few months ago who told me Athy was closing, obviously no truth in that then?

benny79

Tyson Fury wrote: »

Was talking to a lad a few months ago who told me Athy was closing, obviously no truth in that then?

Ha.. Ireland and rumours No.. They are short a few bob and asked some members would they like to donate (like a loan) or pay next year subs a bit early. They are just trying to balance the books. As there has been a bit of restructuring at the club they outsourced the restaurant and had volunteers in the bar. Now the club has the restaurant and bar staff on the books..

Although imo a few slight adjustments and the club be booming. Like they want to own their machinery instead of leasing it and want to purchase some new ones, but whom am I to say as I'm a blown in But the course is in get nick and constantly been worked on.

Mantis Toboggan

That's good to hear re Athy always enjoyed playing down there.

My own membership is 850 in Grange Castle. That's good value imo although I'll most likely leave next season.

BOB81

€1200 is my yearly cost at present. This includes a bar levy of €50 and also a joining fee which is €150 per year spread over 15 years.
Headfort, Co. Meath

Macker1

Tyson Fury wrote: »

That's good to hear re Athy always enjoyed playing down there.

My own membership is 850 in Grange Castle. That's good value imo although I'll most likely leave next season.

Any particular reason for leaving ?? Just curious as some of my mates are thinking of re-joining next year.

Mantis Toboggan

Macker1 wrote: »

Any particular reason for leaving ?? Just curious as some of my mates are thinking of re-joining next year.

Moved house.