Easiest way to get a GUI handicap

I agree that the U.S is a completely different story altogether. I'm not saying that we're the same at all. I was just making the point that even when WHS was introduced, Irish golfers claimed it wouldn't work here because we're so much more different than everywhere else.

We compare much more closely to the UK. In England at least, club membership has always been a big thing. There'll always be differences from country to country but we're more alike than most people think.

Also, club membership has been on the rise year on year in England and continues to rise. Since iGolf was introduced over there, they have had massive interest. Last time I saw the stats, it said 11% of iGolf users had converted to club membership too so that seems to have been a successful venture there, which clubs have benefitted from.

I just hate the gatekeeping that goes on around here and the complete unwillingness to entertain any sort of change.

" I couldn't give a hoot about the club aspect and I'd be considered a carpark golfer by some people on here. I generally only walk through the doors of the club to use the toilet and that's it."

And that right there is the difference between a club member and a member of a club.No regard and total disrespect for the amount of hard work and effort put in on a largely voluntary basis by a lot of people so you can "nip in for 9 or 18 holes".

That is just disgusting and you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself.

If you're talking about who's subsidising who, you have to also acknowledge that the members who don't play much are subsidising those that do. Or those that play green fees are subsidising the members.

A good illustration of it is Corballis over COVID. They had a model where 2 thirds of their revenue we from green fees and 1 third from subs. COVID hit, their membership skyrocketed and the split went to 50/50, but revenue overall went down. So the books didn't balance. It just shows, the members who get the most from their membership are great for clubs as long as there's a balance. There's a state of equilibrium in every club. It can look different from club to club, but if things change it will need to be found again. That doesn't mean that things can't change. To get them back in line in Corballis, they pretty much took Saturday's away from members and gave it to green fees.

Another thing that keeps the costs down in Corballis is the lack of a bar. Those that use it in clubs don't like to admit it, but it's another thing that's generally subsidised by those that don't use it. Now I'd prefer a club to have a bar. But they're often not sustainable without people paying for it who don't want it for those that do.

I totally understand the point that the iGolf system could lead to a mass exodus of casual golfers that are currently members of clubs, but on the flip side might it help encourage newer golfers to join clubs?

From my point of view I think the system could offer a way in to being a handicapped golfer for a beginner (like myself). And then once you have the desire and drive to start lowering your handicap it would make sense to join up with a club that allows you to practice on course whenever you want and that has good facilities also to practice in. Sure you could just keep paying for green fees but perhaps in the long run joining a club would make more financial sense and you'd more than likely improve quicker... That's depending on the membership fee of your local course obviously.

But maybe the amount of new golfers it might entice isn't enough to balance out the ones that leave.

Thanks for that, compo. Will I be able to play in club opens for the rest of this year if I go that route. I know there's some catch about qualifying competitions but I'm not too sure tbh. Cheers.

I’d like to see the detail.

• How will peer review work?
• Will Igolf be a an actual club ?
• How long before leaving a club can you join igolf ?
• Will clubs have an option to charge more or even not allow igolf members into opens without losing their GI affiliation?
• What is fee ?
• How much of the fee will be put back into club golf, at whatever level?

All valid points.

England Golf charge 40 pounds..in euro about 55.

Golf Ireland will manage handicaps.

It will not be an actual club.It is for independent golfers.

After leaving a club Golf Ireland at Munster branch webinar last week stated 1 year..however England Golf had the same initially and it is now just 30 days.

There are moves ongoing among a lot of clubs to charge at least double the normal green fees for igolf members.

The fees are earmarked by Golf Ireland for developing the game nationally. There are no plans to distribute it to the clubs.

Quite a number of clubs are looking at deciding locally in groups how best to manage this.

One major concern is that with climate change a lot of clubs only have maybe six or seven months of 18 hole summer rules golf and this combined with igolf could tempt a lot of members to participate in it forcing clubs to increase fees, including green fees and Open fees, to make up the shortfall.

This in turn could cause more members to join igolf eventually leading to clubs closing through lack of funds and another race to the bottom.

It was noteworthy that the two speakers Golf Ireland had at the webinar were from clubs that get in excess of 1 million euro each in green fees each year..giving a real hint to the agenda being developed.

You are of course entitled to your opinion.I of course dont have to agree with it.

For context expensive is not only about money it is also about time.

If you cannot afford either it is of course logical to take up another hobby.

I'm absolutely shocked at some of the membership costs being posted and how ridiculously low it is.

Some of them rates are at such a low rate an "Igolfer" would make a far greater contribution to golf versus some members...some members probably playing 50 + times a year ..and I golfer would turn up and drop 50 quid no problem..

No wonder some are saying courses are struggling to stay open..

Love to be able to afford either.

Lada my limit😂

Didnt know lada did dog vans…😜

Horse van now😂

I haven't read every post so maybe I missed it but the only one I remember mentioned was Highfield. I played 9 holes in it last year and I wouldn't pay €300 to be a member. I'm sure there are some who are members and love it but its a terrible example of a golf course. Those courses offering €300 a year are either on there way out,a glorified handicap/open competition fee or are the very fortunate to be able to cover the remainder in green fees.

As for a cheap Open fee, most will run cheaper opens more often. Co Meath run a weekly singles and a two man for €20. It's 35 minutes away but I'll go and play it a handful of times a year and price definitely entices me. If it was €45 I wouldn't go as often nor would I spend as much in the pro shop etc. Usually I'll spend 30-40 between the green fee, range and pro shop. They're doing very well and have just been in an article talking about how they are adding trackman to their range after developing the course over the last few years so cheaper rates are proven to work for some courses.

Maybe people have gotten used to the price of everything going up but almost every course has already raised their prices by 2/3's for Open competitions and green fee's. I'm sure the courses will know themselves where the price point going up see's a negative return and will set them just before it.

My place can only dream of that level of income or expenditure !! 😀

That's great, compo. Thanks very much.