golfbgud wrote: » Hi All, Just wanted to test the water here to determine members views on how Juveniles should be managed in a golf club? Items such as approved playing times, eligibility to play/win Men's Competitions, eligibility to play on Club Teams etc.... What's your view?
Redzah wrote: » Ask Greebo aka the Grump
charlieIRL wrote: » Take it easy Redzah
Pacly wrote: » Im a student member and had the best score on captain's day last year, but only got the second prize... I knew i couldn't get first prize before i played and i was happy just to have played as well as I did, but still can't understand why students shouldn't be able to win it??[/QUOTE] Do you pay the same sub as full members? Did you pay any hello money to join? If "no" to both then there's your answer.
golferAC wrote: » Their the future of the club is that a good enough answer for you........
Zardoz wrote: » Very true. The club in which I'm a member brought in a new rule this year whereby all members under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times . Something to do with new recommendations on child protection .:rolleyes: It is a ludicrous ruling and will seriously hinder juveniles ability to play golf. I hope this practice isnt becoming commonplace,as its a farce.
golfbgud wrote: » That's interesting - wonder if its accurate?
Pacly wrote: » Obviously students in general dont make near as much income as older people?? Why should that dictate what we should be able to win?
golfwallah wrote: » Look at it this way - membership categories are like products or service bundles in the normal commercial world. Membership categories are differentiated based on price and on benefits attached. Obviously, clubs want to maximise their income from those paying the highest amounts in fees, i.e. full 7 day members, so these folk have the highest level of benefits - simple economics. All other memberships have reduced benefits, typically around playing rights (e.g. 4, 5 or 7 day), eligibility to enter or win certain competitions (at weekends or club "majors"), possibly timesheet booking restrictions,voting rights at AGMs / EGMs, etc. As regards the Captain's Prize, some clubs don't allow anyone other than full 7 day members participate. Others grant restricted participation in majors to students, juniors above an agreed handicap level, etc., and that's to be welcomed. These limited concessions enable clubs to retain their product differentiation and at the same time offer encouragement to "non-full", younger members. It's a tough job these days, trying to balance the books so that clubs survive and product differentiation is just one weapon in a club's armoury to do just that. You don't get a dollar song for a nickle or a BMW for Micra prices. So, my advice is cut your club some slack and remember your committee has to look at the business side of things as well as the golf stuff that we all take for granted.:)
Redzah wrote: » I agree with some of the above and didn't have much beef when i was a student about not being able to play in the captains prize and the likes. However, apart from this, i believe there is some unnecessary restrictions on juvenille playing times in clubs and at times when the course would usually be free then it just doesn't make sense. Simple economics would also suggest that the prospect of revenue from a student member has the potential to last another 50 years in the club whereas from a more mature member could be another 5-10 years should be factored in. If clubs adopt excessive restriction on juvenilles and students then they'll eventually leave and will provide some other club revenue for the next 50 years. My gripe is not with not being allowed to play in captains prize etc. as this is an understandable way of not fuelling the grumps fire but other excessive restrictions is where a problem exists.
golfwallah wrote: » Agreed, some clubs have been holding onto outmoded practices as regards juniors. Those that do move with the times and build a more balanced membership age profile are better positioned to survive over the long haul. Ultimately, it's about supply and demand and looking at the life-time value of a member rather that just a one year membership transaction. The trick is to bring as many members as possible along with changes being implemented by committee - requires a lot of time and effort in terms of product development, strategic long term planning, communications, etc. A lot of clubs are run and managed by volunteers, who may or may not have the skills necessary to do this type of thing. GUI have made recommendations and suggestions in their 2009 publication "Promoting Golf Club Membership" - see attached.
Jul3s wrote: » Children should be seen and not heard, likewise juniors are welcome as long as they behave themselves and show the respect that is due to those who provide the facilities in which they play.
Redzah wrote: » :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Greebo is that you?
golfbgud wrote: » Some interesting stuff in the attachment including:"The key to this process is attracting and retaining juniors who see golf as a sport and who are interested in participating in teams and playing representative golf. In this regard juniors should be actively encouraged to participate in club competitions once they achieve the necessary handicap qualification. Ability, not age, should be the criteria."
GreeBo wrote: » I dont think you can take just ability on its own though. IMHO you need a certain level of experience and maturity to be allowed to wander around the golf course without any supervision. We have lots of Juvenile coaching sessions at my club and how they dont kill each other I have no idea. Walking in front of each other on the range, swinging clubs wildly in the middle of a crowd...firing clubs after a bad shot, its mental out there sometimes. That said, its usually the guys and not the girls who are at this. Maybe the problem is young male drivers again
Redzah wrote: » , we're irish not german and that's a good thing.
Dtoffee wrote: » you've just put down a whole race of people and for what .... to score some petty point about Juvenile golfers? No need.
link_2007 wrote: » Is this really the case? I could be completely wrong but I would have thought that the important target age for a club looking to secure consistent future revenues would be people in their mid to late twenties?
Redzah wrote: » Ah come on, it was a light hearted comment. It was about a what is widely excepted as a more regimented german culture (and not race), thats all. This comment is absolutely out of order to interpret my comments in this fashion, as it was a light hearted comment on a forum of irish golfers. You say their was no need for my comment but then you post the above and bring a whole question of race and putting a race down which has the potential to ruin a thread.
Dtoffee wrote: » "we're irish not german and that's a good thing" So its my fault you sound like Basil Fawlty :rolleyes:
