How much is your annual sub?

blue note

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121788143#Comment_121788143

The last thing you want to do is sit for a coffee with the "older" people? To say it simply; that's not very nice. I usually have to shoot off after a round for similar reasons, I try to keep the time the round takes up to a minimum. But I'd love to stay for a coffee with my playing partners regardless of their age.

I've been a member in a club without a bar / restaurant and you really do miss it. It affects the "club" nature of it as opposed to it just being a course. There's definitely room for courses that don't bother with a bar and it saves money. But you've basically got no social events, no prize giving ceremonies, no interaction with people other than your playing partners. You will know far less of the club as a result. Really, it's only half a club, you just have the golf side of it. Having a bar levy is a small imposition on members in my eyes to keep it running. If the levy is €100 - if you bring a fourball there once and go to the bar for food after you'll spend it. And your mates will appreciate it.

On the club aspect - the bar can be invaluable for some people, the older generation in particular. My father has been playing golf since his 20s I think He's now in his 70s. He has had a back and knee operations in the last 5 years, so was not playing for much of that time. When he wasn't playing, he was still able to go to the bar to meet his friends after their rounds. And there are a few in his group now who just go to the bar because they can't play anymore (although he's playing 11 holes again which is great). I don't know if I'll be doing the same when I'm 70, if I'm lucky enough to get there. But making an effort to spend a hundred quid a year in the bar doesn't strike me as a major imposition for the club to keep the bar going.

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121788143#Comment_121788143

that's a pretty petty way to look at it. you want to be part of a club, but want to give nothing to it, just want to take take take and don't seem to have any respect for your fellow clubmates who actually contribute to keeping the club going. IMO you come across as someone who doesn't really want to be part of a club, so why don't you join a pay and pay place.

It is not a lot for a club to ask their members to spend €100-€200 in the bar/restaurant in a year. I appreciate you have other responsibilities, but adding 15 minutes onto a 5 hour day is not going to affect your other responsibilities 9 times out of 10. If your other half gives you grief over that, I think there might well be bigger problems in your relationship or maybe golf is not for you. You give out about the subs going up, but you won't spend any money or time in the place. How would you feel if they shut the clubhouse down altogether and hiked the subs up another €500 or so to cover the the shortfall that would bring?

kennethrhcp

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121788797#Comment_121788797

Love a read on here but don't comment alot, I know you're an avid poster & knowledgeable so not trying to call you out but steady on the poor fella. He gave his opinion & you called it pretty petty... you then go on to say "If your other half gives you grief over that, I think there might well be bigger problems in your relationship or maybe golf is not for you". Like that's some jump/leap.

To keep it on track, I'm a member of a resort (Castlemartyr) & annual sub went from €1,250 to €1,500 (no bar credit included). There's work being done/promised so hopefully it becomes more value for money in the coming years

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121788882#Comment_121788882

I did pause for a few minutes before I clicked the post button.

but I see them as 2 totally separate points.

I see the pettiness being the posters views and comments about his fellow club mates,

yes, maybe my comment about him is also petty, but I’m being sincere. He has joined a club where he begrudges being asked to spend a few quid in the place to keep it going or he he can’t afford the time to be a part of the club for whatever reason, then maybe it is not the club/sport for him.

eamondunphy

Haha thanks for the relationship advice, i'll make sure to come to you next time i need help

Suppose you'll be telling me to have a few pints to support the club before driving home next

Your comments suggest you're the exact type of person younger people want to avoid when golfing these days

Also, i said i didnt want to sit with the SAME older people who i've had an awful round of golf with, I never said I avoid older people in general, of course i've played with some lovely older people but i absolutely don't want to sit down with the vast vast majority of older people i have played with in the past, almost always a bad experience watching people meander around the course like it's their back garden with no regard for the people behind or their playing partners, slow play is a nightmare and it's always caused by the older people, i wont feel obliged to sit with them afterwards

Again, younger people don't have much interest in hanging after golf and have other things to be doing afterwards, especially if playing multiple times a week, i'm also pretty sure they're not all suffering such relationship issues that i apparently am

Golf in Ireland still has an old school snobbery aspect to it, IMO something you seem to be also be clinging on to, even revelling in

The club doesn't try attract young people for socialising either, it usually only hold events such as bridge, bowls and bingo

I'm not going continue a back and forth with you about your petty attitudes towards people who choose not to use a clubhouse because they have other places to be , we pay more than enough as it is and i wont be lectured on how or where i should eat/drink

My initial point still stands and wasn't even aimed at the bar, the yearly sub has gone up a few hundred euros over the last couple of years with nothing but some refurbed bunkers to show for it and there is no added value in it to anyone, including the people who use the bar.

No doubt i'll be coming back next January to talk about another price increase with nothing to show for it

bakerbhoy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121789610#Comment_121789610

Read your previous posts. Don't know what age you are ,but you are being immature with the attitude and positions taken in your comments.

bobster453

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121787057#Comment_121787057

Only when I have something to celebrate which as you well know doesnt happen me very often😂

Seriously tho I always have a coffee scone etc after a round.Money well spent in what is after all my club.

As those of us in the society know having the craic the tall tales the speeches in a clubhouse is a key part of what we are.

I for one certainly wouldnt play where there was nowhere to get a bite to eat and a pint of coffee.😀

bobster453

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121789610#Comment_121789610

As one of those oldies you mention bear in mind not so long ago we were young too once and to demean us all because you were 5 minutes late getting home to your boss says more about you than anything else.

Seems you are looking for an excuse why you wont go for a coffee etc and older people are a convenient scapegoat.

In my experience older people are no slower than anyone else..if anything we are quicker because we know our limitations and play within them..not like some younger players who spray shots all over the place trying to be a mcilroy/rahm wannabe and spend way beyond the rule allowance looking for them rather than accept you f#$ked up.

So whatever your excuses..own them and stop being a whingy bitch about older people.

fullstop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121788938#Comment_121788938

Not everyone is flush with cash. He’s being asked to stump up €1900 per year (plus joining fee) as is and I think someone spending that sort of money is entitled to ask what they’re getting for their money.

I grew up playing in a club where the bar was the heartbeat of the club and would be packed at the weekends, but those days are long gone in most clubs, partly because rounds seem to be taking longer and longer and partly because you can’t have a couple of pints and drive home anymore.

fullstop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121559210#Comment_121559210

Christ, that’s mad money 😧 how much was it before the renovation?

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121789610#Comment_121789610

Just for the record, with 2 kids still in primary school and one not long in secondary school, I consider myself one of the younger people you refer to.

I would never tell anyone to drink and drive, so don't be daft.

I have to agree with @bobster & @bakerbhoy and think your comments again about (almost all - your own words) the older members of your club are pretty derogatory and probably unnecessary. As much as my relationship advice to you was possibly in poor taste, so apologies but it was meant in jest.

Again I agree with Bobster though in that older people in general (with obviously some exceptions) are no slower than young lads who are using aim point etc. In fact, I'd say most of them are probably quicker round the course as they know how to plot their way around efficiently, tend to not care as much about their scores but instead just get up and hit it. And I say that as a member of a club with a very similar demographic as Newlands (where I do know some members) and sure you will find that not all the social events are aimed at the oldies. Full disclaimer, I pretty much don't go to any social events in my own club, but that's because it's 50km away from me.

I tend to nearly always find that older people are the best to sit down with for a coffee and chat, as they usually have a life filled with a hell of a lot of great stories. Also and something we have to realise is that without these older people, there would be no clubs for us younger people to enjoy.

I don't disagree with your consensus that there is still an element of old school snobbery to golf in Ireland, but it is changing in fairness. Also, I'm more modern minded that you might think, however I do think there are lots that's that we can learn from the older generations

My initial point still stands and wasn't even aimed at the bar,

but this is what I was responding to

We've 200 of our 1900 used for the bar but its a waste, forced to use the bar when only the older members use it regularly. Younger people have no interest.

I'm not telling you where to spend your money, I was just suggesting that it doesn't take much to spend 10 or 15 minutes after a round to support your club and have a cup of tea (some of the time). I've already said that I don't always go into mine and most of the time when I do, it's probably not for long. I see it partly as a way to just show a little involvement in my club. I realise people have things to do etc, as I say I've 3 kids myself to run around after and collect and drop to classes etc. Only around Christmas, a fella I was playing with couldn't believe that I wasn't hanging round for long after because I had to go off and do the grocery shopping! 🤣

Lastly and probably a biggie

the yearly sub has gone up a few hundred euros over the last couple of years with nothing but some refurbed bunkers to show for it and there is no added value in it to anyone

You say you pay more than enough as it is but I doubt your club is charging higher subs to make profits, but rather just enough to run the club efficiently. Do you know how much it costs to refurbish bunkers? I would argue that that adds value to everyone who plays your course and is a vital investment in the maintenance of the course. Also, you do realise there are staff employed with wages to pay, and wages rates have risen quite a lot over recent years. Subs are going up everywhere, not just @ Newlands. I would suggest you probably got quite a lot for your sub increase.

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121790486#Comment_121790486

€1,900 is not a lot for a club in the Dublin area, I paid just over €2k this year. Of course as a club member there is an entitlement to know where the money is going. As a member, he will be invited to the AGM and provided with a set of accounts. He can see exactly what he is getting for his money and he can ask the committee any questions he sees fit should he have any issues with how the money is being spent.

Golfgraffix

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121790491#Comment_121790491

It went from €2500 to €3300, when the new owners came in, just before work started, then another increase this year.

Luxxis

Macreddin 925 Full membership

SharkMX

Dublin - €800 full

fungie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121791307#Comment_121791307

I'm guessing they're trying to drive them out?

BraveDonut

I pay quite a bit more than I want to for my sub but the course is local and a real "club". My kids are older now and I have more flexibility in relation to family duties. I try to have a coffee every time I play at the weekend to support the bar. I might even have a cheeky pint the odd time.

Because a lot of members subscribe to the same way of thinking we have a vibrant club atmosphere where not everyone is a car park member. The club have recently kicked off a snooker, pool and darts competition and there has been great uptake. There will be a promotion for the rugby on Saturday where they will do a free pint with a main meal. The place will be jumping.

My point is that because us "older" members support the bar and restaurant it means that it will be there for you when you do want it.

tayto lover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121558981#Comment_121558981

Its not a course i'd want to play especially without a buggy, far too hilly.

TheRoomWrecker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121792271#Comment_121792271

yes and no, definitely drove some members out (quite a large number) but some now have asked to return after seeing the new product on offer and after a wet summer if they went to a parkland course!

The issue is now the membership number is soft capped at 400 members, and the waiting list was in the region of 100 to get in so the demand is there potentially, 20 new members in this year from the list (some are past members that left that have now to pay full whack without the 10% discount)

Bobson Dugnutt

Pay just under 2k a year.

No bar sub. I never use the bar. Rounds are already taking 4 hours plus because every gimp seems to think 4 practice swings and mandatory use of the rangefinder is acceptable. Don’t have time to go sit around having a pint as a result.

copacetic

We are up to 1430€, 100 bar levy, I’ve never spent my levy once, but no problem with it. 30mins there and back, often delay getting going and rounds stretching to 4.5 or 5 hours in big comps. Young family, and no relationship problems thanks, it’s just not fair to be gone for 7 or 8 hours on a weekend. 6 is well long enough. I actually find that the young lads without kids love the bar and food more than the older lads, it’s the middle group that just don’t have the time. Have enjoyed the odd pint and a meal after team comps, but often even then a lot of clubs have no food after a certain time even for teams. what I personally love is the odd club that has a casual ‘downstairs’ setup for a coffee and a bap pre or halfway around or a sit down area on the way off the course, mark the card have a coffee/pint a chat, not the back to the car to drop the clubs then back to the clubhouse and upstairs etc. I think this is the way of the future to keep the food option going, get it right beside the 18th green or the practise green or first tee, a bit of buzz going in and out

fullstop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121790966#Comment_121790966

We’ll have to agree to disagree as to what constitutes a lot of money. Your first post on this thread has you down as a member of 2 clubs, each with €1.5k+ fees…there aren’t many people who would have that luxury (of time to play enough to get value and the disposable income to pay it). IMO a lot of clubs are just increasing fees because there is an increase in demand since covid so they know they can keep increasing them (green fees are gone beyond a joke now) but there comes a point when that won’t work anymore and then they’ll be bemoaning a lack of income…again, IMO.

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121795185#Comment_121795185

I never said €2K is not a lot of money. I said it’s not a lot when compared to other subs in the Dublin area.

I’m only a member of one club now. The second was a credits membership and was just for convenience as it is close to my home. Used most of credits in the clubhouse bar/restaurant with the family but they don’t have any real interest in it anymore so gave it up at end of 2022.

In your opinion clubs are just charging more because they can. But have you seen their accounts? I suspect not, but yet you make assumptions. I know my club have increased subs because they have to. IMO most other clubs would be doing the same for similar reasons.

Break80

Jeez lads what busy lives ye must lead.

I'm 1 of the older guys some fellas don't want to sit with and have a coffee after a round. Fair enough, I don't think they would be great company anyway.

When mine were smallies there was always compromise agreed. If you were missing for 5 hrs on a golf course, good lady wife could go missing pursuing her interests (within reason) some other agreed time during the week. Same for practice etc. I don't think you have every waking hour of your week full with activities. If you do you need to relax a bit.

Bar levys are there to keep the facility open I think. I wouldn't consider it any kind of club if it wasn't there TBH.

tayto lover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121798534#Comment_121798534

Same here. I play golf and the missus does archery, cycling or whatever she wants. Many of us 'elderly' people also do a lot of voluntary work at the club too ie painting, planting shrubs, collecting rubbish and helping to coach and supervise the juniors in the summer. We also took on the role of filling in divots, repairing pitchmarks on greens and collecting rubbish discarded by people who should know better. People say that the elderly slow up the play but i find that the opposite can actually be true.

passatman86

I played a round at pirates cove in courtown... €25 euro for the family - couldn't believe it.. Was only €18 euro back in the day.. Some courses out there have gone pricey

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121799317#Comment_121799317

.🤣