Moving to Melbourne - which Melbourne Course to Join?

[nudgee]

So we are moving to Melbourne for a couple of years just to give Brisbane a bit of a break - been here for a while and need a change.

Luckily for me, my job can be done from anywhere in OZ so the move is an easy one as no new job search is required. My only issue is that given we only want to do this for two years, I have no idea what club to join.

We have locked in a house in Richmond and would prefer something relatively close although would love to experience a sand belt course - two problems with that though, massive joining fee and in most cases a waiting list longer than the intended two years of stay.

Does anyone have any recommendations on good courses? would be very much appreciated. Are there any funky membership arrangements that I don't know off that I can jump on?

Thanks in advance gents (and ladies).

[Coldtopper]

Lease a membership at the National couldnt go wrong playing at the best 54 hole complex

[nudgee]

just checked it and looks awesome but really far from melbourne - maybe corporate membership is the way to go.

[Coldtopper]

Its an 1 hour drive from Richmond. You can lease them easy enough. By far the best course option in Victoria with the specs you posted. The old course is one of my favourite courses! Leasing will be your best option to play at a good club

[nudgee]

thanks mate will look t that option across the others

[chappy1970]

Nudgee there's sand belt and then there's sand belt.

The top tier is expensive to join and takes a while to get in (RM, KH, Vic, Metro, Huntingdale, Commonwealth), the other tier is far more reasonable in price and can often be accessed very quickly. I am a member at Southern.

A game at most of the decent courses can be arranged by myself and some if the other OZgolfers. The annual subs for a lot of the SB courses are not too dissimilar, but the joining fee is the killer. Southern's has dropped considerably, was 3k, and I know people who have got in for less than 1k or no joining fee at all.

When are you moving

[Dotty]

Enquire at any of the clubs that you are interested in, about a 'Special Playing' membership.

We have this category, for golfers that are seconded to Sydney for work. Essentially joining fees are waived, limited to 2 or 3 years and you'll need references (business and golf), etc. Outcast had a couple of years at NSWGC on a similar deal.

Also, ask at your reciprocal club first, as they may have something already in place for temporary memberships.

[nudgee]

Nudgee there's sand belt and then there's sand belt.The top tier is expensive to join and takes a while to get in (RM, KH, Vic, Metro, Huntingdale, Commonwealth), the other tier is far more reasonable in price and can often be accessed very quickly. I am a member at Southern.A game at most of the decent courses can be arranged by myself and some if the other OZgolfers. The annual subs for a lot of the SB courses are not too dissimilar, but the joining fee is the killer. Southern's has dropped considerably, was 3k, and I know people who have got in for less than 1k or no joining fee at all.When are you movingWe get the keys to our house on the 12th December but will be heading back to Brisbane for Christmas holiday so I am thinking I would like to get something in place by January. I will check southern out.I have a friend at Victoria and he reckons I may be able to get in on a special membership similar to what Dotty is suggesting related to my temporary work assignment. Certainly spoiled for choice.

[chappy1970]

I'd be all over Vic of I was in your position Jamie.

I was lined up to join Vic, but the swimming pool we are building has put a dent in available cash for a little while

[PerryGroves]

Someone from Qld moving to Victoria, what next a Kiwi actually going back to NZ.

Good luck, I have not heard about the deals Dotty mentions but imagine given the state of some clubs finances that they would have some type of arrangement. Would be interested to know what you find out.

[aym]

Other than Metro, RM, Kingston Health and Capital I believe all of them are looking for new members, you just have to call or email, however if you want to bypass the joining fee I think SpringValley is your best bet, Southern and Keysborough are all good too.

In terms of distance Kew and Greenacres would be more suited to you, but the 6k joining fee at Kew is a bit of a killer.

[chappy1970]

Someone from Qld moving to Victoria,

Perry sometimes people just come to their senses.

[Scifisicko]

Kew and Greenacres will be closest to you by a country mile. I like the GA layout better than Kew, but the condition is not as good (Kew just spent $3M on the course). Kew is loaded, GA have just spent all their cash on a new club house. You probably wouldnt have to pay a joining fee at GA. Also you have to be on it to get a tee time at Kew....If you look at these clubs you should also look at Latrobe. All these courses get a bit soggy in winter but they are 10-15 mins away from you Vs 30-40 minutes for the likes of Southern/Spring Valley.

[LarryLong]

I guess that's one way to get yourself on the winning team on Friday at the Vic Champs. :)

I can't comment too much on the actual courses, but having lived in Hawthorn and Richmond for a few years after I finished uni I can say from experience that the run out the the Kew 'mudbelt' area is vastly preferable to the drive out to the sandbelt courses, although being close to Burnley St and the Monash Freeway would make it a little easier if you go that way. It would also depend on when you like to play golf - if you're an early bird on a Saturday morning type the difference will be much less.

Good choice on the area though, I think if I ever moved back to the city I would want to live in that general vicinity again.

[Coldtopper]

Enquire at any of the clubs that you are interested in, about a 'Special Playing' membership.

We have this category, for golfers that are seconded to Sydney for work. Essentially joining fees are waived, limited to 2 or 3 years and you'll need references (business and golf), etc. Outcast had a couple of years at NSWGC on a similar deal.

Also, ask at your reciprocal club first, as they may have something already in place for temporary memberships.

I have never heard of such a membership in Victoria at a good club. Maybe at lesser club. Plenty of membership options at second tier clubs that are still good courses. Spring Valley for course quality, design, members and membership is the pick of the lesser clubs imo. I wouldn’t do the mud belt as they are shit courses with over’s on the fees.
Good luck with special membership at Victoria where everyone is special when you wait 5 years and pay 10k or a walk up pennant player off +3. Metro / Huntingdale is a better bet if you know someone important. Good luck with the search you can’t really go wrong.

[Scifisicko]

I wouldn’t do the mud belt as they are shit courses with over’s on the fees.

Ouch...must be personal preference. Im just as happy at Greenacres as at Spring Valley. Ill take SV in the winter (mud at GA) and GA when there is a northerly (SV gets the wind off the municipal tip)

Dont think that proximity to the Monash freeway is going to help you get to the sand belt though. Richmond is the traffic captial of Melbourne and the Monash is a car park. It will work for you early on a sat morning though.

[Bruce]

Once you are on the freeway you can get to Mornington on autopilot.

Use the range at Yarra Bend during the week and drive to The National on the weekend.

[Coldtopper]

Plenty of fantastic choices to be had. Scifi I grew up playing in the mud belt so I dont rate them at all. I was a member at Heritage a decade ago and it was a great club so many options Nudgee! Just dont talk about Nudgee golf club in Melbourne

[nudgee]

Plenty of fantastic choices to be had. Scifi I grew up playing in the mud belt so I dont rate them at all. I was a member at Heritage a decade ago and it was a great club so many options Nudgee! Just dont talk about Nudgee golf club in Melbourne

Yeah too many options - will just have to do a quick assessment and make a call.

Thanks gents for advice.

[Shreko]

.

Luckily for me, my job can be done from anywhere in OZ so the move is an easy one as no new job search is required. ).

How do you manage to organise a job like that!!!!!!

[Aussielongdriver]

Try Sanctuary Lakes, especially if your under 30 years old

[Bruce]

The wind there will drive anyone insane.

[dan]

Member at RM told me the wait is down to 2 years now.

[Hux]

Try Sanctuary Lakes, especially if your under 30 years old

Bwahhhh. Nudgee was under 30 last weekend. That is 30 stableford points!!!

[nudgee]

Bwahhhh. Nudgee was under 30 last weekend. That is 30 stableford points!!!

Funny plick