Thinking of giving up my club membership

moycullen14 · 11-08-2016 12:03PM

First Up wrote: »

The long term commitment still applies in clubs that are owned and operated by members. I have no difficulty with clubs asking new members to contribute something to reflect all the work and investment put in by members in the past that has made the club what it is today.

There was a time when virtually all clubs operated on that basis. Nowadays there are more commercial operations so you have a choice whether to see yourself as a member or a customer.

I prefer clubs (and the people who join them) in the former category but each to his own according to taste and circumstances.

That's my point. Long term commitment DOESN'T apply to members only clubs any more.

Also, every club has to operate commercially. You have to balance the books - this is made much more difficult by members coming and going.

First Up · 11-08-2016 12:10PM

moycullen14 wrote:

That's my point. Long term commitment DOESN'T apply to members only clubs any more.

It does in the clubs still charging entrance fees

blindside88 · 11-08-2016 09:07PM

Thanks for all the advice so far guys. Most of the points made are the arguments I've been having I'm my head. I'm going to continue enjoyimg my few rounds this year and see how I feel in December but I am leaning towards leaving as things stand

Dr_Colossus · 12-08-2016 09:26AM

It's a tough one, golf is one expensive game as in addition to the membership subs you then also have competition entry fees, travel and miscellaneous items such as occasional equipment.

However since cost isn't the main deciding factor in the OP's case you have to ask where does your enjoyment come from and what brings you back for a game. In my own case I'd have little or no interest in golf if it wasn't for the competitions and singles competitions at that. It's not for the prizes either as I've never won a competition in my home club despite regular participation and it's over a year since I won a prize elsewhere. Singles competition for me add an element of pressure and excitement in the expectation that a good round will be rewarded with either a handicap cut, a prize or both. Even when playing poorly there's an incentive to try and grind out a respectable score and perhaps get into the buffer zone. Golf for me is all about trying to be the best player you can and there's no better measure of that than your handicap and it's fluctuation.

The benefits of club membership for me are therefore:
1) Active handicap with access to regular competitions
2) Easy timesheet access especially on weekend mornings when I wish to play
3) Playing in competitions with similarly minded players out to "mostly" play the best they can
4) Practice facilities at my disposal covered with the annual subscription.

I can't remember the last time I played 18 holes in a social game, this weekend for instance my home club is running an open scramble competition on the Sun which I've no interest in so I've booked to play the junior scratch cup in Royal Tara instead. Peak season golf in the larger Dublin area does offer decent competition choices of a weekend but rarely outside of the main summer months.

Ollieboy · 12-08-2016 10:04AM

Interesting replies to a very good question.

At the moment most clubs do not have entrance fee's and this allows people to move around, which is great news for the players but bad news for the clubs. Most people don't actually value club membership or don't actually understand what they are getting for that fee.

The club model is depending on having 700/800 members who each play on average about 25 times a year, that would be 20,000 rounds a year. Each member (depending on cost associate with the club and location) example in Dublin would pay around €1000 a year to be a member. They know for that price they get the freedom to play golf when they want and to be part of a special group of people who have the same interest and they get the facilities to improve and practice the game and to represent there club.

Clubs then try to make another 200k a year from other activities, bar/food/societies/green fees etc bring their total income up to 1 million on average.

This allows them maintain a course for there loyal members, anyone that pays green fees and societies have to work around the membership demands which is fair enough.

So does the above model actually work?

Personally I would say no. It's too expenses and a luxury, but that's the point of golf membership.

Compare the above club to a business that provides pay and play. They have no interest in improving the club or providing club facilities and this does suit some people and can work if location is good. But in this business model someone is always looking to make a profit. To get the same turn over at average per round of €25 they need 40,000 rounds, that's a lot of feet and damage to a course.

In the current market if your a member for 20 years and paying €1000 you would be annoyed to see new members joining for a cheaper introduction rate and then leaving the following year, but this is where the market is currently but it won't always be like that and a lot of clubs have upped there Green Fees this year. I also believe most clubs will bring back hello money.

The best membership model is to offer a discount to the members who are with the club the longest.

10 years 10% of the sub
20 years 20% of the sub
30 years 30% of the sub
40 years 50% of the sub

This will encourage loyalty to a club and reward the longest members, but it's a huge financial risk for the club.

I think this model is fairer as you have contribute over your membership life to the running of the club, so it should get cheaper for you and not the new people coming into the club.

So to answer the opening posters question, if you have doubt over the value of your membership then that is usually a time to leave.

My main reasons for having membership at my club are the following:

1. Having the time to play
2. Location of club
3. Friends
4. Course and facilities
5. Wanting to improve (never happens)
6. Value

Value comes last...

TheDoc · 16-08-2016 11:48AM

I ditched my membership two years ago when our first kid came on the scene. Havn't really been able to justify returning, and to be honest, there is a part of me that somewhat struggles to get the willingness to go back.

I do miss golf when I'm not playing, but I'm too hard on myself and competitive when I'm playing, and if I'm not playing well I'm not enjoying it.

We have another little one on the way in the coming weeks. Going to try scrounge a few euro away from the next few paydays and see if I can muster some money together to go back next year.

This is now my third little stint away from golf and I'm 28. Find it was too easy to justify not going back.

alxmorgan · 17-08-2016 07:46AM

I am in a similar position. This year I got a reduced rate due to age but I will be back to full sub next year.

I have 3 young kids so don't get out very often. Looking at it on a cost per round there is no way I can justify the full sub. I can barely justify the reduced one.

I know a club is more than just cost per round but due to family I can't avail of club teams, the crack in the bar afterwards, a few holes of an evening etc etc so I am missing out on all the other benefits.

So unfortunately unless they have a more flexible membership option then I will have to give up next year. But I love my competitive golf when I do get to play so will probably try to sort distance membership somewhere so I can keep a current GUI for playing opens. (Yes I know some on here will want to stone me for this but so be it)

Tom.D.BJJ · 17-08-2016 09:27AM

Simply put, clubs need to become more adaptable to retain members like doc, alx and many others. Many clubs already have a discounted u30 membership, so introducing some option for people with kids under 8 (that's the age they go out to work, right?) would be smart.

There are quite a few ways it can work like e500 pa for 20 weekend comps per year, full use of practise facilities, bar, GUI, etc.

Smarter people than me could easily come up with more inventive options.

"The club captain must be present at the birth to qualify"

Imagine the loyalty that would garner further down the line from the people who otherwise might have given up their membership!

koura · 17-08-2016 10:04AM

I was a member of Loughrea golf club for 9 years. I asked for a year out for work reasons. Was told it was not possible. I cancelled. I heard later that another MEMBER!!! got a year out. A few years later I got an invitation to join without any entrance fee. Tiger values, Tiger economy.

mike12 · 17-08-2016 10:16AM

Around Dublin they basically have every price point covered.
You have the pay and play which end up as good a value as some of the distance memberships.

I really like the club I'm in gym and swimming pool included so makes it good value and the kids get some benefit.

alxmorgan · 17-08-2016 12:33PM

Tom.D.BJJ wrote: »

Simply put, clubs need to become more adaptable to retain members like doc, alx and many others. Many clubs already have a discounted u30 membership, so introducing some option for people with kids under 8 (that's the age they go out to work, right?) would be smart.

There are quite a few ways it can work like e500 pa for 20 weekend comps per year, full use of practise facilities, bar, GUI, etc.

Smarter people than me could easily come up with more inventive options.

"The club captain must be present at the birth to qualify"

Imagine the loyalty that would garner further down the line from the people who otherwise might have given up their membership!

Oh I wish. They had it right in Victorian times. Where's a good mine when you need one

alxmorgan · 17-08-2016 12:35PM

I am going to contact my club in the new year to see if there is anything they can offer me in terms of a flexible option.
I like the club and don't want to leave. I'm not looking for special treatment or anything, more wanting to find a way where we both benefit.

I'd hope to have my kids join when the time comes when they will hopefully play. Not going to hold it against them if they can't do anything for me but will be a pity if not.

Thinking of giving up my club membership

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