Local vs Distance membership in 2026

Mike48

Evening all,

This may have been done to death before but I'd be very interested to know if anyone has actually went through with the decision OR regretted it.

Basically I have a decision to make before the new year and have thought about this for most of the summer as I knew it was on the horizon.

Been a member at my club here for the past 6 yrs, and before that was a member of a club for 9 years.

II only took up the game at 34 after 2 Achilles ruptures playing football within 18 months of each other.

Fell in love with golf like we all do I suppose and got my son at the same time involved with it. Been bouncing around between a H/Cap of 4 and 6 for the past 4 seasons and my young lad has played provincial with Munster since he was 14, he's 18 now and doing the leaving next year so most of my time has been spent letting him pursue his own dreams. He's finished the season off +1 and looking into next season it's going to be a lot of mens events and scratch cups for him to get the handicap lower which is kind of driving my decision in all this as well.

Currently this season I have given close to €1800 for us both for subs, I've only got yo play 15 qualifying comps this season, due mainly to getting him to Junior provincial championships and also both of us playing for the club at Junior Cup and Bruen level and him playing Fred Daly, Senior Cup Barton shield and also his Munster U18 provincial marches.

Add into all this coaching and lessons for him with accommodation, fuel and food and you can imagine the cost of it all.

In 2026 I probably won't have as much 3 and 4 day events as last season with him as he'll be working he'll be paying his way for a good portion of next seasons events. Ill still help him where I can.

Word through the grapevine is that our subs are going up again next year.

So my thoughts are that I might love on, get a distance membership somewhere play my 3 competitions to keep my handicap relevant and play maybe 2 scratch cups a month .

My son will rejoin the club again as his subs are not as costly.

I know I'm giving up certain aspects, practice, friends, all the usual stuff but i can get over that, as I'm on the road a good bit anyway.

OOur Club is one of the most expensive clubs around our area in some cases double the price of clubs which are only 30mins drive from home.

The upside to where I am now is that it's literally 8 mins from home. But thats really the only benefit.

Any and all opinions really appreciated.

kyleman

IMO you should pay up the €1800 and stay at the same club as your son.

In one of your last paragraphs you say the only benefit is that it is 8 minutes from home but as you read your post in its entirety its obvious you get much more benefits than that from your club.

You are no spring chicken but obviously still fit enough to play at a good level and to not only be able to play golf with your son but also compete on teams with him is priceless and I’m sure will be a great source of pride to both of ye in years to come.

Your son also by your own description of him seems to be a very grounded young man who has benefited greatly from your support and golf has been a big factor in this.

If you can afford it stay where you are.

Mike48

Thanks for the reply pal. Very much appreciated, I'm sorry if the wording of my post misled you, I don't actually compete on Club teams with him.

I'd be considered a Junior Cup player.

Hes a level above that again. He plays Senior Cup and Barton shield for the club. I'm just a spectator at that level🤦‍♂️🤣🤣

big_drive

Is there a joining fee at your current club?

If you left next year and wanted to come back in the future would it be ok to get back in.

Always hard to make these decisions this time of the year when weather is only ok, it's dark early and the same desire to play golf might not be there. Lots of us I'm sure have a different level of enthusiasm come spring/summer

Mike48

Yes, their bringing one in next year. It's 4k plus that years subs which in my opinion is nowhere near worth it.

If I was a new member looking to join theres no way id pay that.

There is far better value within a radius of 30 mins where I live for half the price.

But With this you obviously lose the gain in monetary savings to fuel and time going elsewhere.

bobster453

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058428849/local-vs-distance-membership-in-2026

Will you get to play with your son as often if you move?

That would be my only consideration.

We are trustees of them for a short while and it passes too quickly.

Mike48

Well it would be mainly in scratch cups only if I did leave as id have a GUI card but would be playing in open comps around the country.

I go to the local range with him every week as well to stay on top of things as winter time is always a time of swing changes and lessons for him.

It's one thing I've enjoyed throughly over the past 12 years or so is to watch his progress and have a front seat to it all.

I wouldn't have given that up for the world.

coillcam

If at all possible try to stay with your club. Maybe even take a 5 day sub if they offered it.

Without trying to be a smart arse perhaps see if it's possible to save some cash elsewhere to offset the sub cost.

If you haven't looked at switching bills in recent year or so there may well be decent money you can save. Options to switch are TV, electricity, gas, internet, mobile, insurance and banking.

Everyone of mine gets jacked up once the contract or term is up and I have to switch. You may also be able to combine services for more savings. TV/internet/phone is a big one. Eir will do an unlimited mobile package for €10/m if you have internet with them. Kids, wife and probably the dog could be added.