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Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)
Country Memberships
Hi all,
Been out of the game for a number of years but looking at playing again when I can. Has anyone recently signed up for a country membership, and what are the pros and cons? I can't justify a full membership, or even a 5 day.
My son is playing tennis tournaments all over the place. Dawned on me the other week I could go for a round somewhere instead of sitting around for up to 10 hours bored out of my mind!
Off to Parkes in 2 weeks so will suss out a course out there.
Any info on country memberships appreciated.
(Forum doesn't look as busy as it used to be)
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Senior Member
Touring Pro (Japanese Tour)
Look up racnsw membership for golf if you are in NSW
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
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Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
JoeS
Look up racnsw membership for golf if you are in NSW
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
It's NRMA up here, and they don't do golf.
Warringah may still have a $100 golf access equivalent, that caters for the non-club member in our social club. I think I played with someone last year that got the same deal from Windsor, but he lived in Maroubra.
Other than that, Howlong is a popular option with older blokes around here watching their pennies.
You don't get me. I'm part of the Union.
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Site Owner
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
My membership has just lapsed, but I have been using Social Golf Australia for mine, at 95 bucks.
https://www.socialgolfaustralia.com....3&pageID=12318
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Victorious Captain
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
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$150 lifestyle membership @ Windsor. I'm thinking of moving to that when renewal comes up @ Richmond in June. It'll eliminate the rule that some of the courses out here have about playing a certain number of rounds at your home course.
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Moderator
Touring Pro (European Tour)
The pro is that you save money. If you play 5 times a year it a nobrainer.
The con (appropriately) is that the locals will hate you if the play the same course two weeks in a row, and even more so if you win the comp. Be prepared for a grilling as to why you are a member of Walcha. Invariably you will play with someone who used to be a member and will ask you how Old Macca is going nowadays.
My understanding is the country courses themselves don't mind. Most of the small ones are doing it tough, and every hundred bucks helps.
The other thing is that you are treated as a second class citizen by the club you are playing at. You'll be lucky to get a Saturday game anywhere, and even in the midweek comp you are likely to be paired with the most unpopular player in the club, or the regular group of three 85 year olds who nobody wants to play with. Even if there are vacancies elsewhere on the sheet.
My personal view is that you should do the right thing and actually play your country course once in a while. Difficult if you pick Howlong, not so hard if you play somewhere that hosts a tennis tournament.
"There are 50 things to remember in the golf swing. Trouble is that I can only remember 49 of them" - Bob Hope.
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Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
jimandr
The pro is that you save money. If you play 5 times a year it a nobrainer.
The con (appropriately) is that the locals will hate you if the play the same course two weeks in a row, and even more so if you win the comp. Be prepared for a grilling as to why you are a member of Walcha. Invariably you will play with someone who used to be a member and will ask you how Old Macca is going nowadays.
My understanding is the country courses themselves don't mind. Most of the small ones are doing it tough, and every hundred bucks helps.
The other thing is that you are treated as a second class citizen by the club you are playing at. You'll be lucky to get a Saturday game anywhere, and even in the midweek comp you are likely to be paired with the most unpopular player in the club, or the regular group of three 85 year olds who nobody wants to play with. Even if there are vacancies elsewhere on the sheet.
My personal view is that you should do the right thing and actually play your country course once in a while. Difficult if you pick Howlong, not so hard if you play somewhere that hosts a tennis tournament.
I still don’t understand this attitude
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Senior Member
Touring Pro (PGA)
Originally Posted by
3puttpete
I still don’t understand this attitude
Thought it would have been different by now.
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3rd May 2019 09:44 PM
#10
Site Owner
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
Originally Posted by
Jono
Thought it would have been different by now.
Was it ever really a thing?
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4th May 2019 07:29 AM
#11
Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
3puttpete
I still don’t understand this attitude
See also 'Course Closures' thread.
I can see their point ... Clubs rely on getting income each year to cover their expenses. The income can come from many sources ... subs, comp fees, visitor days, F&B sales, pro-shop, functions, investments, joining fees, etc. with annual subs being the major and most reliable income.
A member playing once a week, paying $1500 subs annually and another $1500 in comp fees, equipment and beverages = $60 per game income, every week.
A local with country membership paying $25 visitor fee and another $10 for comp fee and a $5 drink = $40 income.
If it costs '$50 per game-played' to run the club, then the club makes money on the member (which can be put towards course improvements) and actually subsidises the visitor.
Often the counter-point is 'But that is $40 the club would not have received otherwise.' only means that the club will go out backwards at a slower rate. (Or faster, as more members work out their $20 bonus each week by giving up their membership.)
You don't get me. I'm part of the Union.
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4th May 2019 12:46 PM
#12
Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
Dotty
See also 'Course Closures' thread.
I can see their point ... Clubs rely on getting income each year to cover their expenses. The income can come from many sources ... subs, comp fees, visitor days, F&B sales, pro-shop, functions, investments, joining fees, etc. with annual subs being the major and most reliable income.
A member playing once a week, paying $1500 subs annually and another $1500 in comp fees, equipment and beverages = $60 per game income, every week.
A local with country membership paying $25 visitor fee and another $10 for comp fee and a $5 drink = $40 income.
If it costs '$50 per game-played' to run the club, then the club makes money on the member (which can be put towards course improvements) and actually subsidises the visitor.
Often the counter-point is 'But that is $40 the club would not have received otherwise.' only means that the club will go out backwards at a slower rate. (Or faster, as more members work out their $20 bonus each week by giving up their membership.)
You example assumes the the country member plays 50+ comps at the same course and the member spends $750 on equipment. Clearly that’s not happening.
How is a visitor with a country membership any different from a visitor from the club down the road? They’re costing the visited club just as much.
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3rd May 2019 05:54 PM
#13
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)
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3rd May 2019 09:25 PM
#14
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
Scone golf club always had a cheap membership if you are anywhere near the hunter region
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4th May 2019 07:23 AM
#15
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
Originally Posted by
matty
Hi all,Been out of the game for a number of years but looking at playing again when I can. Has anyone recently signed up for a country membership, and what are the pros and cons? I can't justify a full membership, or even a 5 day.My son is playing tennis tournaments all over the place. Dawned on me the other week I could go for a round somewhere instead of sitting around for up to 10 hours bored out of my mind!Off to Parkes in 2 weeks so will suss out a course out there.Any info on country memberships appreciated.(Forum doesn't look as busy as it used to be)
Howlong, Lots of reciprocal clubs too
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5th May 2019 03:14 PM
#16
Senior Member
Touring Pro (Nationwide Tour)
To me it’s about where the visitors come from , Howlong had 800 country members who lived in Sydney . Now that’s ok if they were wanting to play at Howlong a few times a year or needed a cap to play in some corporate days .Not ok if they are playing in all the open comps every week in Sydney. Join the cheapest club in Sydney and use it as your home club if money is tight , then play in the open comps
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5th May 2019 04:34 PM
#17
Senior Member
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
Windsor is good value at $150, but you have to be under 50 for that fee.
If a club lets visitors play, can’t see why a visitor would be treated differently to any other human. 6 hours away from home doesn’t make me want to spend too much time supporting the club afterwards.
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5th May 2019 11:12 PM
#18
Site Owner
Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
The term carparkers seems a little insulting, and I didn't realise that you were meant to pay more than your membership fee, by using the clubhouse, to be considered a "real" member.
Golf is so progressive, isn't it?
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6th May 2019 07:46 AM
#19
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)
Originally Posted by
AndyP
The term carparkers seems a little insulting, and I didn't realise that you were meant to pay more than your membership fee, by using the clubhouse, to be considered a "real" member.
Golf is so progressive, isn't it?
I'd not heard the term until I came across golf forums.
My assessment is that it appears to be used by blokes who wrongly think that by having numerous schooners and a plate of chips they are somehow making a bigger contribution to the clubs bottom line (they aren't) and hence they can look down their nose at those who don't.
Seems to me that golf clubs fail on "big" clubhouse models that work better in the US, chasing other revenue streams (that frankly don't exist or are temporary), increased staff costs and making promises on member services they can't deliver.
Next time a bloke says, I won't come in, I've gotta get home, just thank him for paying his fees. Golf clubs like mine actually survive on not only guys like him but also those who pay their fees and never play.
Last edited by PerryGroves; 6th May 2019 at 07:48 AM.
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6th May 2019 08:50 AM
#20
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)
Originally Posted by
PerryGroves
I'd not heard the term until I came across golf forums. My assessment is that it appears to be used by blokes who wrongly think that by having numerous schooners and a plate of chips they are somehow making a bigger contribution to the clubs bottom line (they aren't) and hence they can look down their nose at those who don't.Seems to me that golf clubs fail on "big" clubhouse models that work better in the US, chasing other revenue streams (that frankly don't exist or are temporary), increased staff costs and making promises on member services they can't deliver.Next time a bloke says, I won't come in, I've gotta get home, just thank him for paying his fees. Golf clubs like mine actually survive on not only guys like him but also those who pay their fees and never play.
Potentially that attitude may have come from clubs with Pokies in the past? Guys would go in for beers and a punt and then the gaming + f&b revenue would have been significant.Between the booze bus and the down turn in pokies (unless you are a behemoth club) the money that was made in those areas are a lot less these days.
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6th May 2019 05:28 AM
#21
Senior Member
Grand Slam Winner
I keep invitng this carpark scum to my club, soon as the round is finished they have all dropped some lame excuse and burn rubber.
"Got to get an earlier flight"
"Busy day with the family"
"Friends visiting from interstate"
OZgolf is full of them!😀
Jono I know you're thinking they all left cause you are a di.k.
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6th May 2019 03:17 PM
#22
Senior Member
Major Winner
If I stay back now, it is approx. $12 spent on two beers (or coffee and small meal). Work calls and extra travel time after late games may prevent this.
If I leave after golf, then my car space can be used by a family of four to visit the playground, petting zoo or kid's birthday party and spend three to five times that amount.
When I first saw the queue of cars parked down the driveway at midday Sunday, I thought there had been an accident blocking the carpark entry.
You don't get me. I'm part of the Union.
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6th May 2019 03:43 PM
#23
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)
Originally Posted by
Dotty
If I stay back now, it is approx. $12 spent on two beers (or coffee and small meal). Work calls and extra travel time after late games may prevent this.If I leave after golf, then my car space can be used by a family of four to visit the playground, petting zoo or kid's birthday party and spend three to five times that amount.When I first saw the queue of cars parked down the driveway at midday Sunday, I thought there had been an accident blocking the carpark entry.
What’s the latest with your old club Dotty? Things are sounding quite grim.
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6th May 2019 03:54 PM
#24
Senior Member
Major Winner
Originally Posted by
Sydney Hacker
What’s the latest with your old club Dotty? Things are sounding quite grim.
I don't know, other than changes to the board and the project management of the ongoing clubhouse renovations.
I made a clean break 12 months ago, after too many years of going through very similar within my family.
You don't get me. I'm part of the Union.
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6th May 2019 09:21 PM
#25
Senior Member
Touring Pro (European Tour)
Originally Posted by
Dotty
I don't know, other than changes to the board and the project management of the ongoing clubhouse renovations.I made a clean break 12 months ago, after too many years of going through very similar within my family.
Where are you at now?
The ultimate judge of your swing is the flight of the ball. Ben Hogan
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