How much is your annual sub?

El Guapo!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121558887#Comment_121558887

TBF though, Ardee and Bellewstown are lightyears apart in terms of quality. Worth every penny of the additional fee.

From my experience with Bellewstown, they'll open it in any condition and let buggys out in all weather, tearing up the place. It might seem great to some people that you can get out to play at pretty much any time but not at the expense of course conditions. I'd rather deal with the course being closed at times throughout the year if that means having a decent track to play on when it's open.

Jimmy Bottlehead

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

I've not played Ardee yet, so I'm all ears if you're happy to share your experience of it (and in comparison to Bellewstown)!

Also hoping to get out in Ardee this week for a quiet solo round to check it out myself.

Golfgraffix

Portmarnock Links is €3600, 10% Discount if you had paid before December 31st

dan_ep82

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121559051#Comment_121559051

IMO Ardee is a better course for a beginner. Better layout and condition. Very welcoming to new golfers/high handicaps. Good pro shop and I usually send people to the pro there if they're looking for lessons.

Downsides is it can also get soft in the winter but wouldnt be as bad as bellewstown. They started using mats in the winter since last year even though I never seen an issue in the summer with the fairways.They have a thursday open that might not have mats in play,worth a call. I think the entrance fee is a bit much all the same but the sub is only €800 unless it got raised since last year.

Seapoint also have opens on a Tuesday through the year. If you wanted to play as much golf as possible thats where I'd join but depending on weather could easily be the toughest of the three. I wouldnt know what the club itself is like especially since it changed hands

TallUSgolfer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121557085#Comment_121557085

Thanks. Had not heard of Dingle Ceann Sibeal, but I see why it’s a must. Thank you.

eamondunphy

1900 for Newlands in Dublin now, gone up a couple fo times the last couple of years and course is getting worse

spacecoyote

5k joining there too?

eamondunphy

Yeah, occasionally there was offers of 2.5k during covid but think it's gone back up. Mad money for what it is, hasn't improved at all over the years and the bar/restaurant is next to dead, one catering supplier quit with a year left in their contract, new ones aren't great either

bobster453

I often wonder in this day and age is there any benefit to having a bar/restaurant in a club.Cahir have 100 euro added to members subs this year to subsidise it for the few that use it.tho you can use sub for food and comp. fees.

Seems very few people hang around in clubs after a game for food and who would drink drive now.

eamondunphy

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.

Prices aren't cheap, it's about 8e for a machine coffee and scone there these days

coillcam

Bar credit is needed to keep the bar/food running in lots of clubs. It's also some more income for the club. In general the idea being that you might bring family and friends for lunch. In turn bringing more income and attracting more non members to visit. You can also host parties for example.

If your club has societies visiting then you'll understand how much money they bring in. After a round with their mates, a big feed and a few pints is the order of the day. The group will want to give out their prizes in the clubhouse rather than the car park. Otherwise they move on to the next club which does have a bar.

Bar levies and sub increases are the norm at the moment. Machinery, maintenance, utilities etc all going in the wrong direction price wise.

But 8 quid for a coffee is just price gouging!

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121786148#Comment_121786148

Ah I thought you would be first into the bar after 😁

can’t believe your club only just introduced it, been normal for 20 odd years at this stage in most clubs I would have thought.

its not all about drinking and driving, you can have a cuppa tea and a sambo you know 😱

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121786265#Comment_121786265

This is a problem. You are in a club and should realise that. Just because the old people use it that doesn’t mean the young people shouldn’t, but let’s get one thing straight, nobody is forcing anyone!

the club can to survive and asking their members to spend €4 a week in the bar is not a lot to ask. I mean, bring the Mrs up for a meal and a bottle of wine even just the once and you’ll probably make a hefty dint in it if you really don’t like socialising with your fellow club members.

I find the bar is a great way to get to know a few people in the club though.

awec

I wouldn't join a club that didn't have a bar tbh. Bar levy is 100 in mine but that doesn't bother me, I'll easily spend it.

Clubs should be incentivising people to use the facilities more, IMO the better the social side of it is the easier it will be to retain members.

Ivefoundgod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121787075#Comment_121787075

As someone who only took back up the game a few years ago after a long time not playing regularly I think this points to a general shift in how people think of the sport. Theres a certain group(generally older but not always) where a round is always followed by a pint/coffee/food and where hanging around the clubhouse is part of the appeal of the membership. But others, particularly anyone with young kids aren't looking for that. Giving up 4 hours of a weekend for a game of golf is a hard sell at the best of times, when theres kids involved it takes a very understanding partner to facilitate it. Taking the piss by going in for a drink or food afterwards and being gone for the best part of 5 hours just isn't going to fly these days with most couples. I've had those conversations before with playing partners and some of them just can't get their head around why I'd want to rush home to the family, a generational thing I think but I can see it becoming a problem for a lot of clubs over the next 20-30 years.

Seve OB

No chance it's 4 hours when you factor in travelling to and from course, changing shoes and getting gear ready, checking in the pro shop, marking scores after and entering them into the computer. We are talking 4:30 at least, and that's only if you live on the doorstep and don't even warm up or grab a shower after. Realistically it's at least 5 hours for most. Me, I've an hour and half round trip to my club so it's more like at least 6 to just cover the minimum.

I still have young kids, but I do like to make the effort if the group I'm playing with is going in after. Maybe 2/3 of the time I'd head up to the bar even if it is just to grab a quick cuppa tea for 10 minutes. It doesn't always have to be a full meal and social event.

Don't get me wrong, if you have somewhere to be or plans made of course you can make your excuses and head off (Which I often do), but I do believe members should make some sort of an effort and support your club.

Ivefoundgod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121787502#Comment_121787502

Yeah you are right, I was referring to my own situation where the club was less than 5 minutes drive but now I think of it, 4h30m was probably the minimum time i'd be gone for. I agree with you that members should support the club, particularly member owned clubs but if there is a good mix of members there should be a section that has the time to go in for a meal or a drink after a round and a section that has to fly off. As people get older and kids grow up that should naturally evolve where members who previously couldn't call in now have that time to do so. That said I do still think that younger golfers have a more transactional approach to membership than those of an older generation. Thats evident too in how a lot of the more prestigious courses treat green fees, look on the links thread here where many won't pay the green fees because they remember a time when there was GUI rate or whatever where as others see no issue with the high green fee given the quality of the course. Straying off topic a little here so i'll leave it at that.

On topic, subs for the course I moved to are €1200 though they haven't set the price for 2024 yet so I may owe a little more once thats done.

villacud

€800 plus €40 bar/restaurant credit in Nenagh GC

eamondunphy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121787155#Comment_121787155

exactly, i joined with a few of my friends around the same time, there's a good few of us including a few family members, we've all go kids and nearly always have to shoot off after golf on a Sunday after spending 5 or so hours out of the house and away from the kids

I generally play with my friends/family every week and when i do play with the "older" people, rounds take forever to get through, slow play is a problem and the last thing I want to do is sit with these same people for a coffee afterwards, cant have a pint afterwards even when playing with friends as we all live in different areas and drive separately

Younger people want to play golf and head off, they are not looking to join the bridge club or play bowls on a Thursday night with people aged 60 - 90 years old

I'd say the fees have increased about 200/300e over the last couple of years and besides redoing the bunkers that were in poor condition, i honestly cant see any improvement to the place

Mantis Toboggan

€170 pay and play, perfect for me as I won't play much and will just play opens mainly and a few times on the course. Takes the pressure off of thinking I needed to play every week to justify the membership as I have young kids and can't get away for 5 odd hours every Saturday or Sunday.

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?