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Sunday competition booking system

  • 29-11-2019 2:31pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭


    What is the fairest way to do the Sunday booking system. My club have a draw in the club house bar for the times the week before a competition. When your name comes out your take the whole line. 1)My problem with it is that members who are not from the area have to travel for the draw. 2) Booking complete lines does not encourage an mixing of players. 3) The lines booked often dont show up do others miss out.
    In the plus side it generates business at the bar do change is not a preferred option.
    Is the standard in other golf clubs curious to know?


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    I spend all day every day around time sheets and have never seen that


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,310 ✭✭✭✭Mantis Toboggan


    That's a bizarre setup.

    Free Palestine 🇵🇸



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    I think I know the club being referred to by the OP. If I'm correct I joined a different club in close proximity to the area as a result of hearing how the comp tee times are decided.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,375 ✭✭✭✭prawnsambo


    What is the fairest way to do the Sunday booking system. My club have a draw in the club house bar for the times the week before a competition. When your name comes out your take the whole line. 1)My problem with it is that members who are not from the area have to travel for the draw. 2) Booking complete lines does not encourage an mixing of players. 3) The lines booked often dont show up do others miss out.
    In the plus side it generates business at the bar do change is not a preferred option.
    Is the standard in other golf clubs curious to know?
    Not anywhere I've ever been. My club uses BRS booking system and it's all done on line. A lot of other clubs (most of them?) use the same system. You just book a free slot and people can join in with you if there are openings.

    That 'system' seems bizarre as hell.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭Montgolfier


    I think I know the club being referred to by the OP. If I'm correct I joined a different club in close proximity to the area as a result of hearing how the comp tee times are decided.

    I'm very much thinking the same thing.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,385 ✭✭✭ThunderCat


    What is the fairest way to do the Sunday booking system. My club have a draw in the club house bar for the times the week before a competition. When your name comes out your take the whole line. 1)My problem with it is that members who are not from the area have to travel for the draw. 2) Booking complete lines does not encourage an mixing of players. 3) The lines booked often dont show up do others miss out.
    In the plus side it generates business at the bar do change is not a preferred option.
    Is the standard in other golf clubs curious to know?



    That 'system' is mental.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    I am curious as to the rationale from the club's side why they think it is a better system to the standard approaches.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭blue note


    My original club did the exact same thing for the Sunday competition (Friday's were online). Used to drive me beserk because I was a distance member and could never get a good time when I was coming home for the weekend. That said, I thought it was a good idea to get people into the bar on a Saturday. If they'd just put it online after the draw I could have stuck my name down somewhere, instead I had to get people to go to the club for me to stick my name down or chance my arm getting a time the day before.

    Now it's all online in corballis. The only thing I don't like is that people can book lines without sticking down their playing partners names. So I suspect people are booking lines in case their friends are free to play and deleting late if they don't.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,470 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    That's just loopy (OP)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    I’ve seen about 6 clubs this year change their procedure.

    For 4 balls a member can only book 2 other members, so singles can still get a game at a reasonable time.

    I think introducing a digital purse also helps with members booking other members on spec. I know a number of clubs that have a cut off time, so if you cancel after that time you don’t get your comp fee back unless the committee authorise it.

    One of my bug bears has always been the locking of a tee time for 3 minutes, I have seen that abused. My preference would be to leave it open so anybody can log on a 1st to book gets it. But it’s always gonna be subjective.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,116 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    I thought chronogolf was about as crap as it can get but this is just stupid daft


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 675 ✭✭✭plumber77


    My club uses masterscoreboard for booking. Bookings are done in groups. 7am to 7.40am is one group of 12 players. There is s random draw then for the 3 groups of 4 which I like. You can only book yourself in. No line blocking


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,070 ✭✭✭Ollieboy


    So this club as a lot of distance membership to keep it going and they use this system so the local members get the best spots on Sunday? From a committee perspective I can understand it but it’s a club that probably going nowhere.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    Ollieboy wrote: »
    So this club as a lot of distance membership to keep it going and they use this system so the local members get the best spots on Sunday? From a committee perspective I can understand it but it’s a club that probably going nowhere.

    What makes you think it has a lot of distance members? Perhaps it does but I'd say less than some clubs in the area.

    I'd imagine it's doing quite well as an 18 hole course but again others in the vicinity doing slightly better.

    *Again I'm assuming I know the course in question


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,470 Mod ✭✭✭✭slave1


    Whatever system there is in operation, the biggest annoyance to me is getting there and no one around with the timesheet full i.e. lads booking and just not turning up, it's great on one hand as we fly around but then there's days we can't get out because timesheet full and I do wonder was it actually full on the day, I'd bet not but I'm not going over to the course with another couple of lads waiting to see if folk don't turn up...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,310 ✭✭✭✭Mantis Toboggan


    On my course if your name is on the time sheet at 7 the night before you're automatically charged regardless of whether or not you turn up.

    Free Palestine 🇵🇸



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    On my course if your name is on the time sheet at 7 the night before you're automatically charged regardless of whether or not you turn up.

    That’s the way it should be


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭blue note


    Ollieboy wrote: »
    So this club as a lot of distance membership to keep it going and they use this system so the local members get the best spots on Sunday? From a committee perspective I can understand it but it’s a club that probably going nowhere.

    I was a distance member on a course that did this, so presumably the same course setting how rare it seems to be. I have no idea why we're keeping the name a secret.

    But I think they only brought in distance membership as an option in the last decade, just before I finished my intermediate membership. If they hadn't I have left, no way I was paying €1250 for a course when I was living 2 hours away. Think the distance was 4 or 5 hundred.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 879 ✭✭✭Montgolfier


    blue note wrote: »
    I was a distance member on a course that did this, so presumably the same course setting how rare it seems to be. I have no idea why we're keeping the name a secret.

    But I think they only brought in distance membership as an option in the last decade, just before I finished my intermediate membership. If they hadn't I have left, no way I was paying €1250 for a course when I was living 2 hours away. Think the distance was 4 or 5 hundred.

    Blue note we're talking about the same course Tramore.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 699 ✭✭✭davegilly


    slave1 wrote: »
    Whatever system there is in operation, the biggest annoyance to me is getting there and no one around with the timesheet full i.e. lads booking and just not turning up, it's great on one hand as we fly around but then there's days we can't get out because timesheet full and I do wonder was it actually full on the day, I'd bet not but I'm not going over to the course with another couple of lads waiting to see if folk don't turn up...

    Another head wreck is when a club have an open competition during the week and the timesheet is empty so youve nobody to play with but it turns out loads of members turn up and play but dont bother using the BRS. Absolute head melt altogether.

    Clubs should fine members for not using the BRS properly, no exceptions.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 778 ✭✭✭Kingswood Rover


    davegilly wrote: »
    Another head wreck is when a club have an open competition during the week and the timesheet is empty so youve nobody to play with but it turns out loads of members turn up and play but dont bother using the BRS. Absolute head melt altogether.

    Clubs should fine members for not using the BRS properly, no exceptions.
    This can be a real problem in clubs and results in income loss. If i am looking for an open and see very few on the timesheet i always go elsewhere. I live in the general Kildare area and some clubs around me have a great thing going on Wednsdays with huge entries, Millicent and Lisheen Springs are the ones that spring to mind while other clubs incuding mine might get 20 tops. Clubs should incentivize BRS entries and early entries so that people loggin on without a partner have confidence in the sheet filling up and not being left HIGH AND DRY as joey says.:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    davegilly wrote: »
    Another head wreck is when a club have an open competition during the week and the timesheet is empty so youve nobody to play with but it turns out loads of members turn up and play but dont bother using the BRS. Absolute head melt altogether.

    Clubs should fine members for not using the BRS properly, no exceptions.

    I’ll be upfront and say I’m biased as I’ve spent years developing a tee sheet (it’s not easy)

    We just finished an API with handicapmaster that if a club turns it on means you can’t enter a club comp unless you’re on the time sheet and paid up


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,675 ✭✭✭ronnie3585


    On my course if your name is on the time sheet at 7 the night before you're automatically charged regardless of whether or not you turn up.

    That's the way my club does it too. Booking for Sunday goes live on BRS at 10pm the Sunday before. It's fastest finger first as to who gets what slots. It's not perfect, but it's the best I've seen.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,005 ✭✭✭✭callaway92


    On my course if your name is on the time sheet at 7 the night before you're automatically charged regardless of whether or not you turn up.
    That’s the way it should be

    I don't agree tbh.

    There's genuinely times where the next day comes and I'm just not up for the game. In particular in regards to the weather on-the-day etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,116 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    callaway92 wrote: »
    I don't agree tbh.

    There's genuinely times where the next day comes and I'm just not up for the game. In particular in regards to the weather on-the-day etc.

    yea a nice 2 fingers to the other lads on the line who turn are up for it and turn up, never mind the poor lad who is at home because he couldn't get his name down on the sheet


    look, if the day is a wash out thats fair enough, but if you are just not up for it because there is a bit of rain...... well then you are part of the problem that these guys are trying to fix


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,005 ✭✭✭✭callaway92


    Seve OB wrote: »
    yea a nice 2 fingers to the other lads on the line who turn are up for it and turn up, never mind the poor lad who is at home because he couldn't get his name down on the sheet


    look, if the day is a wash out thats fair enough, but if you are just not up for it because there is a bit of rain...... well then you are part of the problem that these guys are trying to fix

    Yeh, I'm part of the 'problem' so, and genuinely have no remorse for it. Things get in the way of it.

    Not saying I ever 'no-show' a game, but was just speaking in the hypothetical sense that I can understand it from the player's point of view.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,331 ✭✭✭mike12


    callaway92 wrote: »
    I don't agree tbh.

    There's genuinely times where the next day comes and I'm just not up for the game. In particular in regards to the weather on-the-day etc.

    Nothing worse being on a line with 4 others and there is a no show and u are playing at 4ball pace in a 3 ball.
    For me it is very poor form if the reason is I just don't fancy it.
    U get charged in my club for your comp fee and I think it should be the norm stops the line blockers and makes it easier for anyone that wants to play to get out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    callaway92 wrote: »
    I don't agree tbh.

    There's genuinely times where the next day comes and I'm just not up for the game. In particular in regards to the weather on-the-day etc.

    Not having a go at you personally but I think that is very unfair on other members. Bad weather is not a valid excuses for cancelling a tee time that someone else could have taken and planned for.

    I’ve no problem with the cancellation but if it’s after the cut off (6pm the day before let’s say) then your comp fee should be forfeit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 699 ✭✭✭davegilly


    Clubs should really get rid of the option for one person to book a full line. I know two lads that always do it. They book the line but only two of them show up so they dont have to play with anyone else.

    Everyone should have to logon like everyone else and book their own time or at the very most only allow you book two spots It would stop people doing what the lads are at above but it would also encourage players to play with different people as well.

    And anyone showing up for a competition without booking on the BRS shouldnt be allowed play - No exceptions. This wouldnt be long cutting out that behaviour.

    People like the two examples above are costing their clubs money doing what they do. And it seems to be tolerated everywhere unfortunately.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    davegilly wrote: »
    Clubs should really get rid of the option for one person to book a full line. I know two lads that always do it. They book the line but only two of them show up so they dont have to play with

    A digital purse eliminates this, I’m pretty sure most tee sheets have it, certainly ourselves and BRS


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,116 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    davegilly wrote: »
    Clubs should really get rid of the option for one person to book a full line. I know two lads that always do it. They book the line but only two of them show up so they dont have to play with anyone else.

    would they not have to put names against the spots though?

    i mean, i can book a full line on our brs, but i have to hit the drop down and pick the players


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    Same setup in my club same club i wonder?

    I find the system fair enough. There are a bunch of guys who want to play early and they want to play with their buddies. If they go to the draw which generates revenue it’s fair enough. We need the money we’re a non profit after all. Loads of lines available outside that admittedly not much now with winter league and limited daylight.

    There are always times you can slot in maybe not at 8 in the morning but still Your best bet is actually Saturday evening. Always some guys pulling out late the night before. I have never not been able to get a time myself and that’s how I got into it when I was new there. Played with someone else every week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,116 ✭✭✭✭Seve OB


    Played with someone else every week.

    it's the best way. you to get to know everybody in the club and to enjoy playing with different levels of golfers rather than getting stuck in a rut!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,827 ✭✭✭fred funk }{


    We use BRS and it goes live the weekend before. You can book a whole line if you want but it must be names and not guests. On your digital purse the comp fee goes "pending". Up until 12.00pm the day before the comp you can take your name off without losing your comp fee but after that it's non refundable.

    It seems to work very well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    I think having a draw is not a bad thing. Surprised to see that people find it so unusual. Its a popular enough social event, it gets people together and money into the (members owned) club and it favours the people who are very active members socially and golfing wise. Whats wrong with that?
    I hardly ever go myself, maybe once or twice a year, but I think its fair.

    The draw is every Saturday for the comp Sunday week. Sunday comps are three balls. So people show up for the draw in threes and whoever of the three is drawn first takes their preferred line and thats all three of them sorted and gone from the draw. And so on. Until the hat is empty.
    There is no requirement to show up in threes and you dont have to take a full line either. But three names in the hat gives better chances obviously. For your name to be in the hat you have to be present.

    This procedure makes up usually a little over half the field. Typically a solid booked block for the first 2.5 to 3 hours of the Sunday. After all its all about the early times and going out with your regulars.

    Following Monday the timesheet goes up on BRS with the names from the draw already entered and fully opened up for online booking. Usually plenty of room after half ten, depends on time of the year of course.

    During the week then there is plenty of chopping and changing and spots and entire lines become available even from the early slots. I never failed to get a decent time for myself often quite early and most of the time with my regular buddies, too.

    Can't see too much wrong with it. Not to a degree where it would put me off joining for sure.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    I think having a draw is not a bad thing. Surprised to see that people find it so unusual. Its a popular enough social event, it gets people together and money into the (members owned) club and it favours the people who are very active members socially and golfing wise. Whats wrong with that?
    I hardly ever go myself, maybe once or twice a year, but I think its fair.

    The draw is every Saturday for the comp Sunday week. Sunday comps are three balls. So people show up for the draw in threes and whoever of the three is drawn first takes their preferred line and thats all three of them sorted and gone from the draw. And so on. Until the hat is empty.
    There is no requirement to show up in threes and you dont have to take a full line either. But three names in the hat gives better chances obviously. For your name to be in the hat you have to be present.

    This procedure makes up usually a little over half the field. Typically a solid booked block for the first 2.5 to 3 hours of the Sunday. After all its all about the early times and going out with your regulars.

    Following Monday the timesheet goes up on BRS with the names from the draw already entered and fully opened up for online booking. Usually plenty of room after half ten, depends on time of the year of course.

    During the week then there is plenty of chopping and changing and spots and entire lines become available even from the early slots. I never failed to get a decent time for myself often quite early and most of the time with my regular buddies, too.

    Can't see too much wrong with it. Not to a degree where it would put me off joining for sure.

    I understood your rationale in regards to the draw but I still largely disagree with it. I found the process off putting as encourages exactly what you said "favours members who are active socially". This in turn may discourage new members as it means that integration into the club requires efforts beyond the golf course which is not what many are signing up to do.

    This format, as you acknowledged, clearly favours regular members encouraging the grouping of certain individuals while significantly reducing the ability for new numbers to A. Integrate with the more established members of the club B. Play golf at the most preferred times for most.

    The format favours those who have the time/desire to sit around in a bar in the evening time socialising.
    That is perfectly fine but it eliminates those of use who may commute large distances, have young families and may travel to the club.

    It's a fantastic format for the 60 yr old retiree who likes a few pints and is walking distance from the club. If the business model is to encourage that support then the approach is fine. However, in a sport which is struggling to attract new younger members, I think new entries(like me) into the golfing world do not want our weekends to revolve around a golf club.

    Having paid over 1k for membership, I simply want the opportunity to play golf at my preferred times and not feel as though I must spend additional time in the club breaking into cliques to improve my chances of playing at earlier times.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    I'm sorry that you feel this way but I cannot agree with you.

    A club membership is more than just access to the product that is golf. There will always people who use it like this, tbh for the most part that would be me, but if the guys who live the club get that small advantage I'd have no problem with it.

    And like I said there is no problem getting out. Getting out early even. Playing with different people etc. I've done it, I'm doing it. You just have to be on the ball on BRS.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭blue note


    I was exactly the type of person it didn't suit, but still thought it was a good idea (if they'd stuck up the time sheet online after which I believe they now do). The types of members there are typically the ones contributing more to he club too. They pay the same membership, but they keep the bar going, are more likely to be in committees, probably play 50 comps a year compared to my 10, or in the case of a guy my age living nearer maybe typically 20. That's twice as much in comp fees, extra food and drink in the bar. They get more out of the club but they put more into it too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    I'm sorry that you feel this way but I cannot agree with you.

    A club membership is more than just access to the product that is golf. There will always people who use it like this, tbh for the most part that would be me, but if the guys who live the club get that small advantage I'd have no problem with it.

    And like I said there is no problem getting out. Getting out early even. Playing with different people etc. I've done it, I'm doing it. You just have to be on the ball on BRS.

    What elements do you disagree with though? I view a golf membership as a social endeavour but I don't believe a prerequisite should be effectively spending my Saturday evening in a club drinking and/or eating as that is not what I want to spend my time doing.

    I'll play 40-50 comps a year, I regularly eat in the bar after a round, I go to the events after major comps and I purchase in the ProShop when the price discrepancy isn't outlandish.

    I do all of this without being forced to give up my Saturday evening to book a round of golf. Club contribution does not depend on spending an extra evening in the club.

    I am more likely to contribute to the club if I can simply book a round a few days out as I can plan my week opposed to relying on the luck of the draw on a Saturday to get out on a Sunday.

    It's archaic logic and I suspect if you actually trialled both methods in the same club and did the maths on it I suspect you'd quickly realise the Saturday evening method contributes less long term than the standard BRS method.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭blue note


    What elements do you disagree with though? I view a golf membership as a social endeavour but I don't believe a prerequisite should be effectively spending my Saturday evening in a club drinking and/or eating as that is not what I want to spend my time doing.

    I'll play 40-50 comps a year, I regularly eat in the bar after a round, I go to the events after major comps and I purchase in the ProShop when the price discrepancy isn't outlandish.

    I do all of this without being forced to give up my Saturday evening to book a round of golf. Club contribution does not depend on spending an extra evening in the club.

    I am more likely to contribute to the club if I can simply book a round a few days out as I can plan my week opposed to relying on the luck of the draw on a Saturday to get out on a Sunday.

    It's archaic logic and I suspect if you actually trialled both methods in the same club and did the maths on it I suspect you'd quickly realise the Saturday evening method contributes less long term than the standard BRS method.

    The bar is packed for a couple of hours every Saturday, it's great to see the life in it. And there's heaps of times left after the draw. Getting out on a Sunday won't be a problem. You won't get a time between about 8:45 and 10 immediately, but if you keep an eye out during the week someone will cancel and you can jump in. But there will still be decent times left anyway unless you leave it late in the week which is the same in any club.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    Thats how I feel about it. I'm not one of them stalwarts myself but I feel its a fair and good system. I would feel different about it if I couldn't get onto the sheet at all or not until late in the day every time, but its not like that. I more or less never go to the draw and I rarely play after ten.

    The sheet is up on BRS since the introduction of BRS, its not a recent thing, going on for years like this. You check BRS once or twice a day during the week and I'd be surprised if you didn't get your early tee time.

    Of course this time of the year its more difficult. There are only 4 hours of starting times and a lot of players are committed to playing in the winter league. So the competition for times is harder, but still, you keep an eye on BRS, especially Saturday night, and you will get out and more often than not you will get out early. To me its always been a very small inconvenience, no more.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    What elements do you disagree with though? I view a golf membership as a social endeavour but I don't believe a prerequisite should be effectively spending my Saturday evening in a club drinking and/or eating as that is not what I want to spend my time doing.

    I'll play 40-50 comps a year, I regularly eat in the bar after a round, I go to the events after major comps and I purchase in the ProShop when the price discrepancy isn't outlandish.

    I do all of this without being forced to give up my Saturday evening to book a round of golf. Club contribution does not depend on spending an extra evening in the club.

    I am more likely to contribute to the club if I can simply book a round a few days out as I can plan my week opposed to relying on the luck of the draw on a Saturday to get out on a Sunday.

    It's archaic logic and I suspect if you actually trialled both methods in the same club and did the maths on it I suspect you'd quickly realise the Saturday evening method contributes less long term than the standard BRS method.

    I disagree with a free for all online being a better and fairer system. Because I do believe that a club should encourage the social aspect of the membership and reward the active members.

    But mostly I disagree with it because you would sacrifice an established and popular and IMO important aspect of the social club life for what really is just a small inconvenience. Like I said many times, you just have to be on the ball on BRS and you will get your early time nine times out of ten.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    blue note wrote: »
    The bar is packed for a couple of hours every Saturday, it's great to see the life in it. And there's heaps of times left after the draw. Getting out on a Sunday won't be a problem. You won't get a time between about 8:45 and 10 immediately, but if you keep an eye out during the week someone will cancel and you can jump in. But there will still be decent times left anyway unless you leave it late in the week which is the same in any club.

    It may be great to see life in the bar but that's not what entices younger people based upon the current trajectory of the younger generations habits of socialisation.

    Younger people have little interest in drinking in bars and if integration is encouraged by socialising on a Saturday evening in the bar then I suspect the club will struggle to retain members.

    I suspect both of you are members of the club which is perfectly fine but you're going to have a clear bias towards the methodology which is understandable but you have to question if it is such a good method then why do other clubs not adopt it?

    Assuming I am right about the club in question. You must consider the opinion of the OP & I. I can only speak for myself but I am the exact demographic you are looking to attract, young active work professional in close proximity to the club yet I am very much deterred by the club's policies, enough to be willing to travel 20-25 mins further to a similarly priced club.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    I disagree with a free for all online being a better and fairer system. Because I do believe that a club should encourage the social aspect of the membership and reward the active members.

    But mostly I disagree with it because you would sacrifice an established and popular and IMO important aspect of the social club life for what really is just a small inconvenience. Like I said many times, you just have to be on the ball on BRS and you will get your early time nine times out of ten.

    You think this methodology encourages socialization which I disagree with. It encourages the socialization of a small proportion of people. It especially encourages it amongst the older generation.
    That's the part you don't seem to understand, you think socialising is important as do I, the difference is that I think socialising in a bar on a Saturday night is not the only means as do most younger people based on current figures not just my own opinion.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭blue note


    It may be great to see life in the bar but that's not what entices younger people based upon the current trajectory of the younger generations habits of socialisation.

    Younger people have little interest in drinking in bars and if integration is encouraged by socialising on a Saturday evening in the bar then I suspect the club will struggle to retain members.

    I suspect both of you are members of the club which is perfectly fine but you're going to have a clear bias towards the methodology which is understandable but you have to question if it is such a good method then why do other clubs not adopt it?

    Assuming I am right about the club in question. You must consider the opinion of the OP & I. I can only speak for myself but I am the exact demographic you are looking to attract, young active work professional in close proximity to the club yet I am very much deterred by the club's policies, enough to be willing to travel 20-25 mins further to a similarly priced club.

    I was a member of the club, but now I'm a member of a different club that just puts the time sheet online. There's no great difference between the two systems for me. And I'm also the demographic they'd be hoping to attract too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭blue note


    You think this methodology encourages socialization which I disagree with. It encourages the socialization of a small proportion of people. It especially encourages it amongst the older generation.
    That's the part you don't seem to understand, you think socialising is important as do I, the difference is that I think socialising in a bar on a Saturday night is not the only means as do most younger people based on current figures not just my own opinion.

    I played with heaps of strangers, many of them old in tramore. If people have their set groups they'll play with their mates regardless of the system. And this isn't a bad thing, I like playing with my mates too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    Are you from the area though? If you're not from the area I assume you're around long enough to have been a member in multiple places.

    I ask as I'm not from the area and I felt the Saturday evening method was less likely to allow me integrate into the club which was a major factor for me choosing elsewhere.

    I believe (as figures show) young people don't like spending times in bars nor do they like golf either tbh. I suspect encouraging integration in a golf club via this method is not particularly future proof.
    It's based upon archaic logic and is a deterrent for new members especially those not from the area.

    You can disagree if you like but it was deterrent for me, as it was for the OP, you acknowledge no longer being a member(perhaps not an issue) and it is not a widely adopted methodology so I feel well supported in dismissing its merits.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭blue note


    Are you from the area though? If you're not from the area I assume you're around long enough to have been a member in multiple places.

    I ask as I'm not from the area and I felt the Saturday evening method was less likely to allow me integrate into the club which was a major factor for me choosing elsewhere.

    I believe (as figures show) young people don't like spending times in bars nor do they like golf either tbh. I suspect encouraging integration in a golf club via this method is not particularly future proof.
    It's based upon archaic logic and is a deterrent for new members especially those not from the area.

    You can disagree if you like but it was deterrent for me, as it was for the OP, you acknowledge no longer being a member(perhaps not an issue) and it is not a widely adopted methodology so I feel well supported in dismissing its merits.

    I was a member there from 12 years old to 28 and have just joined another club this year after a break from golf. I am from the area. I understand you think the Saturday evening method would be a problem for getting to know people, but I think you're fears are unfounded. You'll get to meet the members in the same way as other clubs by putting your name down on the sheet. Including the lads in the bar, they'll have one from their group drop out and then that'll be a free spot for you.

    It is a method that will die out because our age group isn't going to the pub in the same way. As it does the two hours worth of lines taken up will become an hour and a half and eventually they'll just do away with the system.

    I think it's a shame it put you off because the experience of it is quite different to what you were expecting. That said, they used to not put the Sunday timesheet online at all. Now that actually was a problem.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,927 ✭✭✭CalamariFritti


    The people who say the method of socialising is geared towards a certain demographic and it’s out of date and will cost the club members... to me it sounds you just don’t like it because it gives someone else a better shot at a tee time. You’re not actually looking to propose a different type of socialising. You’re proposing to just do away with it because it doesn’t suit you personally.
    I think you’re mistaken that this is geared towards a minority. if it was surely only a handful of lines would be taken in the draw.

    I think it’s a tad selfish.
    Also I think the right channel to talk about it would be an AGM rather than boards.

    I also reject the idea that I’m naturally. In the members section that wants to protect the status quo. I’m not, I’m exactly like you. I don’t go to the draw and I don’t go to the bar much at all. I mainly want to play golf. But I still find it fair I just put it with it and like I said several times I never had a problem getting a decent tee time. I really think it’s a non issue.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 294 ✭✭xgronkjabv6pcl


    The people who say the method of socialising is geared towards a certain demographic and it’s out of date and will cost the club members... to me it sounds you just don’t like it because it gives someone else a better shot at a tee time. You’re not actually looking to propose a different type of socialising. You’re proposing to just do away with it because it doesn’t suit you personally.
    I think you’re mistaken that this is geared towards a minority. if it was surely only a handful of lines would be taken in the draw.

    I think it’s a tad selfish.
    Also I think the right channel to talk about it would be an AGM rather than boards.

    I also reject the idea that I’m naturally. In the members section that wants to protect the status quo. I’m not, I’m exactly like you. I don’t go to the draw and I don’t go to the bar much at all. I mainly want to play golf. But I still find it fair I just put it with it and like I said several times I never had a problem getting a decent tee time. I really think it’s a non issue.

    Apologies but I'm struggling to understand a large amount of this as I find it quite nonsensical.

    You believe the removal of this method of "socialising" as you call it will cost you members is unfounded as it is the method which has been adopted for quite a long time. You do not know it will cost you membership.
    Given this method is understandably not used by any other club in the locality, why would a member leave as a result of a change? What's their alternative? Leave to a club which adopts a similar BRS method out of principle?

    Additionally even if your claim was true which I doubt, what about the additional members you may get as result of changing? You know for certain, you have lost two in recent months because of this method plus its lack of adoption elsewhere, that's actual proof it's not supported outside.

    So by suggesting a more egalitarian and time efficient method which is widely adopted, I am now selfish? Yet the method which caters to the few who have the time to attend the golf club twice at the weekend is less selfish?
    Additionally why would I attend the AGM of a club I didn't join?
    I'm sure you can appreciate how my confusion is arising.

    I don't claim it's an issue per se, I am simply highlighting that as a prospective member who lives in close proximity to the club in question, I like the OP decided not to pursue membership as a result of this methodology.
    I dont have an issue with it but members/committees should have an issue with losing prospective members because of a strange manner of deciding tee times.


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