Will you rejoin your club for next year

tayto lover · 21-10-2020 8:25pm

Golfhead65 wrote: »

Yeah but while they are closed you can't play so what will you do with your time now, sure golf clubs love people like you. Hand over money with no guarantee of providing a service you pay for

It’s hardly their fault there’s a pandemic.
Our club is allowing for the closure in next year’s subs.
They don’t want to be shut you know.

John Divney · 21-10-2020 9:01pm

No and I couldn't justify paying it after this mess, with a young family. I'm pretty aghast at how pathetic the GUI are, no PR inkling, no political savvy. Just take it up the arse from some clown from the Green Party who shambled into a job.

Dayor Knight · 21-10-2020 10:17pm

Yes, can't wait.

Keano · 21-10-2020 10:32pm

John Divney wrote: »

No and I couldn't justify paying it after this mess, with a young family. I'm pretty aghast at how pathetic the GUI are, no PR inkling, no political savvy. Just take it up the arse from some clown from the Green Party who shambled into a job.

Understand your angry but let’s tone it down a small bit. Thanks

John Divney · 21-10-2020 10:36pm

Keano wrote: »

Understand your angry but let’s tone it down a small bit. Thanks

Sorry about the jab at the Green Party

Golfhead65 · 22-10-2020 5:44pm

tayto lover wrote: »

It’s hardly their fault there’s a pandemic.
Our club is allowing for the closure in next year’s subs.
They don’t want to be shut you know.

That's great for you but ours and others are just money grabbing c**ts with little or no morals

tayto lover · 22-10-2020 5:51pm

Golfhead65 wrote: »

That's great for you but ours and others are just money grabbing c**ts with little or no morals

Maybe you’re a member of a club with a big staff who need to be paid and retained. My club has a large membership and have had good fundraisers for the last few years. We are in a good place with a very good bank balance after being very shrewd for a few years now.

Dtoffee · 22-10-2020 9:07pm

.
My heart says yes to renewing next year, but my head is telling me that my almost €2k sub would buy me a lot of green fees at a variety of courses around Dublin and its surrounds.

I am going to wait and see what the club comes up with by means of an incentive, some free guest invites would be a good place to start. :P

gypsy79 · 22-10-2020 9:09pm

We are looking at March/April before we play again so we are now condemned to a 6 month golf season

We dont live in ice ridden Scandinavia

Hoboo · 22-10-2020 9:17pm

I'll definitely be paying. I'll pay early if needs be. I don't just see it as paying to play, members are temporary guardians of the club to hand it on in hopefully better shape than they received it. It's a privilege for me, I never thought I'd get into the club I'm in, I love the place, I've a ton of friends there. It's our club. If we want it there in 5 years, and hopefully many more, it's up to us to keep our club alive.

That's the way I see it anyhow. I'm sure many just see their club as a place to play, which is fine, each to their own.

Keano · 23-10-2020 10:07am

Golfhead65 wrote: »

That's great for you but ours and others are just money grabbing c**ts with little or no morals

Please don’t use that type of language again. It’s not a free for all around here

DeanAustin · 23-10-2020 10:20am

Hoboo wrote: »

I'll definitely be paying. I'll pay early if needs be. I don't just see it as paying to play, members are temporary guardians of the club to hand it on in hopefully better shape than they received it. It's a privilege for me, I never thought I'd get into the club I'm in, I love the place, I've a ton of friends there. It's our club. If we want it there in 5 years, and hopefully many more, it's up to us to keep our club alive.

That's the way I see it anyhow. I'm sure many just see their club as a place to play, which is fine, each to their own.

I think that's a great attitude. I'd be similar. Some people say "when you break it down, you're paying x amount for each round". What a ****ty way to look at life. It'd be different obviously if my financial situation worsened significantly but as long as I can afford it, I'll join as long as I can play the game. Some things in life are about more than money.

gypsy79 · 23-10-2020 11:00am

Not all clubs are member owned. There are lots of different structures. People should bare this in mind when been all high and mighty

If I was in a members club and decisions were been made by us (the members) then my attitude would be completely different

eoghan104 · 23-10-2020 2:48pm

gypsy79 wrote: »

Not all clubs are member owned. There are lots of different structures. People should bare this in mind when been all high and mighty

If I was in a members club and decisions were been made by us (the members) then my attitude would be completely different

This plus 1 million.

It is all well and good to have that great team spirit we're all in it together attitude in a members club. No-one should be derided for not wanting to fork over thousands for a service they will not get to use to max value.

GreeBo · 23-10-2020 3:19pm

DeanAustin wrote: »

I think that's a great attitude. I'd be similar. Some people say "when you break it down, you're paying x amount for each round". What a ****ty way to look at life. It'd be different obviously if my financial situation worsened significantly but as long as I can afford it, I'll join as long as I can play the game. Some things in life are about more than money.

Its why there are lots of 100+ year golf clubs and very few 10+ year gyms

eoghan104 · 23-10-2020 3:22pm

DeanAustin wrote: »

I think that's a great attitude. I'd be similar. Some people say "when you break it down, you're paying x amount for each round". What a ****ty way to look at life. It'd be different obviously if my financial situation worsened significantly but as long as I can afford it, I'll join as long as I can play the game. Some things in life are about more than money.

This is such a ridiculous post I'm sorry. You can not call that a s****ty attitude just because it doesn't apply to you.

Why can't people work out how much each round will cost and base a decision on that?

If I opened a club that provides bananas and had a fee of €2,000 for the year giving you access to unlimited bananas would you join? You can still buy bananas in other clubs and pay per banana but if you come and get the bananas in our club you can build a good bond with other likeminded banana enthusiasts and be part of the Eoghan104 Banana club community. Don't worry that you might only eat 10 bananas a year. Also, we might not open on days there is frost or rain and if we are told to close due to Covid then no bananas regardless if you want them or not. Seems like a sweet deal correct?

Dbu · 23-10-2020 3:23pm

Yes I will be renewing,
There will come a time that I wont be able to play and wish I could, so Im going staying at it while I can
Will be dead long enough

Dbu · 23-10-2020 3:25pm

eoghan104 wrote: »

This is such a ridiculous post I'm sorry. You can not call that a s****ty attitude just because it doesn't apply to you.

Why can't people work out how much each round will cost and base a decision on that?

If I opened a club that provides bananas and had a fee of €2,000 for the year giving you access to unlimited bananas would you join? You can still buy bananas in other clubs and pay per banana but if you come and get the bananas in our club you can build a good bond with other likeminded banana enthusiasts and be part of the Eoghan104 Banana club community. Don't worry that you might only eat 10 bananas a year. Also, we might not open on days there is frost or rain and if we are told to close due to Covid then no bananas regardless if you want them or not. Seems like a sweet deal correct?

Thats Bananas

GreeBo · 23-10-2020 3:35pm

eoghan104 wrote: »

This is such a ridiculous post I'm sorry. You can not call that a s****ty attitude just because it doesn't apply to you.

Why can't people work out how much each round will cost and base a decision on that?

If I opened a club that provides bananas and had a fee of €2,000 for the year giving you access to unlimited bananas would you join? You can still buy bananas in other clubs and pay per banana but if you come and get the bananas in our club you can build a good bond with other likeminded banana enthusiasts and be part of the Eoghan104 Banana club community. Don't worry that you might only eat 10 bananas a year. Also, we might not open on days there is frost or rain and if we are told to close due to Covid then no bananas regardless if you want them or not. Seems like a sweet deal correct?

Maybe its just the type of club(s) you are in, but I don't treat my relationship with my club the same way I treat my relationship with virgin-media. I'm not constantly shopping around trying to get "better value for money" because you cant put a price on being in a club where you know pretty much everyone and have done since you were young, where your name is up on the wall and where you can drop in at anytime of the day and there will be someone there looking for a chipping competition, or a frame of snooker or just to shoot the breeze on the deck looking over the course.

Put it this way, would you move to a different family if you thought you could get a better deal?

eoghan104 · 23-10-2020 3:47pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Maybe its just the type of club(s) you are in, but I don't treat my relationship with my club the same way I treat my relationship with virgin-media. I'm not constantly shopping around trying to get "better value for money" because you cant put a price on being in a club where you know pretty much everyone and have done since you were young, where your name is up on the wall and where you can drop in at anytime of the day and there will be someone there looking for a chipping competition, or a frame of snooker or just to shoot the breeze on the deck looking over the course.

Put it this way, would you move to a different family if you thought you could get a better deal?

I agree with all of those points and I was a member of a club for years since I was 10, was junior captain there, on committees and all the rest until I was 30. I loved it there and my family are still members so I am often back. I moved away though and now I am a member of a club run by a company for profit. I owe them nothing, same way they owe me nothing.

The blanket statement saying its a "Sh***ty" attitude to look at how much each game will cost you is what is ridiculous. Golf club memberships are not what they were 20 years ago and are much more transient. People can work out the value of golf any way they like.

John Divney · 23-10-2020 4:07pm

If you are a lifetime member and have spare cash, who cares you wouldn't leave over it and you're club needs you. If like many you have a family, are starting a family or have had Covid destroy your business or job, or are newish to the game, yeah paying that fee for uncertainty is not exactly a difficult choice. You could take the kids down the country and play a few rounds a few times in the year instead and still have change. People are saying it's not the GUI's fault but this is what's at stake, not six weeks of not playing. You have to do everything you can and well l just don't believe they did.

Mantis Toboggan · 23-10-2020 4:16pm

eoghan104 wrote: »

I agree with all of those points and I was a member of a club for years since I was 10, was junior captain there, on committees and all the rest until I was 30. I loved it there and my family are still members so I am often back. I moved away though and now I am a member of a club run by a company for profit. I owe them nothing, same way they owe me nothing.

The blanket statement saying its a "Sh***ty" attitude to look at how much each game will cost you is what is ridiculous. Golf club memberships are not what they were 20 years ago and are much more transient. People can work out the value of golf any way they like.

I find older people are happy enough just staying in the same club and will pay the fee year after year, it wouldn't even cross their mind that there may be a better deal available whereas younger people are more likely to shop around for the best deal and everything gets the cost - benefit analysis.

Secondly people who live in the same place they grew up, have been members years and rejoin every year as all their friends are there and they know everyone in the club. Whereas people like me who live in a different county to where I grew up. I've no affiliation or loyalty to any club and will vote with my feet and shop around for the best deal available.

Seve OB · 23-10-2020 4:41pm

so a question to all the people who are happy to pay into their members clubs whether or not they can play or financially justify the expense.
if you had a season ticket to a big football team, lived local, and it was your life, week in week out, heading down to the ground, meeting your pals enjoying the buzz etc..... remember that season ticket goes towards paying the wages of all the groundstaff, the caterers, the match day officials, stewards etc.
do you think you just still pay up now that you can't go to the games?

DeanAustin · 23-10-2020 4:41pm

eoghan104 wrote: »

I agree with all of those points and I was a member of a club for years since I was 10, was junior captain there, on committees and all the rest until I was 30. I loved it there and my family are still members so I am often back. I moved away though and now I am a member of a club run by a company for profit. I owe them nothing, same way they owe me nothing.

The blanket statement saying its a "Sh***ty" attitude to look at how much each game will cost you is what is ridiculous. Golf club memberships are not what they were 20 years ago and are much more transient. People can work out the value of golf any way they like.

Fair enough. In my view, it's a sh!tty way to look at a golf membership if you can afford it.

I pay my fees at the start of the year. I don't worry about how much each round costs after that because I can comfortably afford the membership, enjoy being a member of the club, play a fair bit and I think it would drive me a bit mad if I looked at a golf membership in that way. To me, it seems a bit "knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing" type of attitude. But each to their own - it's just an opinion.

DeanAustin · 23-10-2020 4:45pm

Seve OB wrote: »

so a question to all the people who are happy to pay into their members clubs whether or not they can play or financially justify the expense.
if you had a season ticket to a big football team, lived local, and it was your life, week in week out, heading down to the ground, meeting your pals enjoying the buzz etc..... remember that season ticket goes towards paying the wages of all the groundstaff, the caterers, the match day officials, stewards etc.
do you think you just still pay up now that you can't go to the games?

Paying an LOI season ticket for years and rarely get to the games because of kids and living in another part of the country and have a membership I've just renewed with an English Premier League club so yeah I would.

The pleasure I get from following the teams, even from afar, is worth it. Particularly in this environment where there is f**k all else to do.

I don't drink much, don't smoke so sport is sort of my thing I guess.

fred funk }{ · 23-10-2020 5:31pm

Hoboo wrote: »

I'll definitely be paying. I'll pay early if needs be. I don't just see it as paying to play, members are temporary guardians of the club to hand it on in hopefully better shape than they received it. It's a privilege for me, I never thought I'd get into the club I'm in, I love the place, I've a ton of friends there. It's our club. If we want it there in 5 years, and hopefully many more, it's up to us to keep our club alive.

That's the way I see it anyhow. I'm sure many just see their club as a place to play, which is fine, each to their own.

Exactly the way I see my club. Fair play.

Seve OB · 23-10-2020 6:11pm

DeanAustin wrote: »

have a membership I've just renewed with an English Premier League club so yeah I would.

ah now a €50 membership hardly equates to a couple of grand on the season ticket

DeanAustin · 23-10-2020 6:35pm

Seve OB wrote: »

ah now a €50 membership hardly equates to a couple of grand on the season ticket

No it doesn’t. It is more than that by the way and I pay it for my young fella as well.

If I had a season ticket, I’d keep it as I do for my LOI club. Clubs will make allowances for games you can’t go to as well. It’s a bit different to golf because we’ll get to play even with the virus albeit it’ll be restricted at times. Hard to see how football goes back to fans attending games while the virus is out there.

bmc58 · 23-10-2020 6:39pm

Golfhead65 wrote: »

I'm asking if anyone is considering not rejoining their club next year if the current situation continues as it is. Lockdown, out of lock down, no interclubs the way we are used to We didn't have a Captain's Prize and no majors . I might go P&P somewhere just to keep my handicap active. Interested in your views.

What's P&P? Pitch and Put? How would joining or playing P&P keep your GUI H/C active?If I'm reading your post incorrectly please feel free to correct me.

Seve OB · 23-10-2020 6:41pm

bmc58 wrote: »

What's P&P? Pitch and Put? How would joining or playing P&P keep your GUI H/C active?If I'm reading your post incorrectly please feel free to correct me.

pay and play

bmc58 · 23-10-2020 6:51pm

Seve OB wrote: »

pay and play

Thanks Seve OB.But still how would paying Green Fees keep your H/C active?I don't think it would.

Golfhead65 · 23-10-2020 7:25pm

bmc58 wrote: »

What's P&P? Pitch and Put? How would joining or playing P&P keep your GUI H/C active?If I'm reading your post incorrectly please feel free to correct me.

P&P.. Pay and Play

Golfhead65 · 23-10-2020 7:30pm

Seve OB wrote: »

pay and play

Plenty of clubs offer P&P so you pay a token Membership fee eg 150 per year get registered with GUI then pay green fee & Comp fee and play in open comps either in club you affiliated to and other opens at other courses. It's actually a great way if you are starting out not to fork out over a thousand + to then maybe find out its not for you

23-10-2020 9:29pm

I am thinking of moving clubs,havent gotten out much this year in my own club (Faithlegg) due to variety of reasons work being main one,I work a few miles from Mount Juliet can be there in less than ten mins after work would definitely get out more just deciding in my head if I can justify doubling price of yearly sub.

ger664 · 24-10-2020 1:56am

Seve OB wrote: »

so a question to all the people who are happy to pay into their members clubs whether or not they can play or financially justify the expense.
if you had a season ticket to a big football team, lived local, and it was your life, week in week out, heading down to the ground, meeting your pals enjoying the buzz etc..... remember that season ticket goes towards paying the wages of all the groundstaff, the caterers, the match day officials, stewards etc.
do you think you just still pay up now that you can't go to the games?

Yes.

For me by not paying it runs the risk of clubs ceasing to exist.

Clubs whether Golf,Athletics,Rugby or GAA are all integural parts of our community. Its not about the benefit I will get this year from my sub. Its about the benefit my children and their children will get from the fact the club still exists when I am pushing up grass.

slingerz · 25-10-2020 12:09am

50/50 at best. The lockdown is a contributory factor and not getting the benefit of my sub. There’s also the fact that our inter club was a complete disaster with lads picking there buddies and dropping down grades. The course maintenance leaves a lot to be desired also our green keeping team seem to be allergic to work. And allied to all that off the course work is on a cliff edge and I’ve a baby due in the new year

gypsy79 · 25-10-2020 12:19am

As someone with two kids....nearly 3 and nearly 4 months

I would say continuing to play would be a good idea

You need an escape

Rikand · 25-10-2020 6:55pm

gypsy79 wrote: »

As someone with two kids....nearly 3 and nearly 4 months

I would say continuing to play would be a good idea

You need an escape

Yep. I love them and they're great and all. But that few hours out of the house is amazing

Rippeditup · 25-10-2020 7:26pm

gypsy79 wrote: »

As someone with two kids....nearly 3 and nearly 4 months

I would say continuing to play would be a good idea

You need an escape

Agree I have almost 5 and 7 and that break is essential and hard to have unless it’s booked in and membership helps here...

GreeBo · 26-10-2020 8:57am

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Secondly people who live in the same place they grew up, have been members years and rejoin every year as all their friends are there and they know everyone in the club. Whereas people like me who live in a different county to where I grew up. I've no affiliation or loyalty to any club and will vote with my feet and shop around for the best deal available.

If you keep voting with your feet you will never get to the point you make in your first sentence, your kids won't either.

GreeBo · 26-10-2020 8:59am

gypsy79 wrote: »

As someone with two kids....nearly 3 and nearly 4 months

I would say continuing to play would be a good idea

You need an escape

Same boat, nearly 3 yeas and nearly 4 DAYS old, I'll have the back garden ruined if I don't get on a course soon!:o

gypsy79 · 26-10-2020 10:01am

GreeBo wrote: »

Same boat, nearly 3 yeas and nearly 4 DAYS old, I'll have the back garden ruined if I don't get on a course soon!:o

I was playing an open in seapoint when my child was two days old

Full disclosure. We had an emergency c section and my wife was in hospital by herself for 5 days. No visits due to COVID

My 2 year old is a great caddy. Or real truth is he will go off with anyone

DeanAustin · 26-10-2020 10:26am

gypsy79 wrote: »

As someone with two kids....nearly 3 and nearly 4 months

I would say continuing to play would be a good idea

You need an escape

Yep, I gave it up for a few years around when the kids were born because work was getting busier and there was a lot of stuff going on.

Massive mistake. Lost golf and it was very hard to get back into it. Like playing every week becomes a habit, not playing also becomes a habit.

jamesbondings · 26-10-2020 1:42pm

DeanAustin wrote: »

Yep, I gave it up for a few years around when the kids were born because work was getting busier and there was a lot of stuff going on.

Massive mistake. Lost golf and it was very hard to get back into it. Like playing every week becomes a habit, not playing also becomes a habit.

Yea found the same, life gets in the way. And so does routine.
Playing every week is routine, when the little ones come along its a necessity to break the routine, then that becomes the new routine. My little lad is 4, but routine at the weekend doesnt include me dissapearing for up to 6 hours. Summer is easier, as i can still be on the course when he is in bed.

Seve OB · 26-10-2020 2:17pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Same boat, nearly 3 yeas and nearly 4 DAYS old, I'll have the back garden ruined if I don't get on a course soon!:o

congrats

kept playing when kids were born, obviously you need to be a bit more flexible, and maybe not so much, but pretty much every saturday is golf day and sunday is family day

Luckycharm · 27-10-2020 6:46pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Same boat, nearly 3 yeas and nearly 4 DAYS old, I'll have the back garden ruined if I don't get on a course soon!:o

Congrats that might limit you to only getting to the course twice a day when it reopens :P

Kiith · 28-10-2020 11:32am

Don't know if i'll be in the same house next year, so not sure if i'll be rejoining. Thinking about a move abroad for a year or two, if i can convince work to let me go, but not sure where yet. A year of non-stop sunny golf would certainly be a nice change

willabur · 28-10-2020 6:34pm

I'll be in my place for the next few years. We plan to move house in a few years so depending on where we land will determine whether I stay with the club or not. I would like to. I think the value for money is great and the people I have met with so far have been really fun to play golf with. My only concern is that its difficult to get a consistent time on the timesheet, the point a poster made before is that playing becomes a habit and if its at the same time each week (early sunday morning) then the OH will have no problem with that. Its when its 8am one week and midday or later the next that it becomes an issue

slave1 · 29-10-2020 10:55am

Only got golfing 11 days this year so if 2021 is going to be the same I simply can't afford to join anywhere, think I'll wait and see how things unfold

Ollieboy · 30-10-2020 3:24pm

I reckon we will be hopping between level 2 and 3 for at least the next 12 months.

Golf will be one of the few sports allowed and the demand will remain high plus people will enjoy it and continue to play after.

Next year we will see no concerts, social events or sporting events. I expect travel to be restricted or people not confident to travel aboard. People that travel away for golf hols will stay at home increasing demand.

Most decent clubs or clubs in good locations already have full time sheets and will or have closed for membership. I know a lot of clubs like ours are planning not to have societies next year at weekends and we had already stopped green fees at the weekend. We already have a big waiting list to join so people leaving will have very little impact and in the long run we will be better of with members that value the club.

So in summary, the only way you will get to play regularly is if your a member. This is more a issue for people living in the Dublin area.

Green fees and society fees are going up at least 30% at most clubs.

Entrance fees will be back if this continues into 2022. Under offers will be gone soon because of demand.

Most people played a lot more golf this year but experience congestion On timesheets and this affected weekend golfers most Who feel they don’t get value for subs. I reckon most clubs will resolve this issue in 2021.

So if you leave your club now, I reckon you will regret it if your a golfer. I understand why Some people measure golf membership v cost per round. but over 40 years you will always get the value of membership, but the club your with needs to be your home and not just a golf course. If this is your experience then your at the wrong club.

Will you rejoin your club for next year

Comments