Online handicaps

[AndyP]

I gave Gailes a call about their Golf 101 membership. There were no restrictions on playing in their comps, although I'm sure that I would be ineligible for honour board events. The green fee would be the member's guest fee, which is $25. Unless I start playing golf on a more regular basis, I am leaning towards this deal.

There is also a Windaroo Lakes Lifestyle membership, which is $149 Pay as you Play, for those down that way.
https://www.windaroolakes.com.au/lifestyle-membership

[Bigbad]

I've ended up joining Medway down here in Melbourne. Was at Northern but it was just too expensive to renew even though i prefer the course.

Looked at doing an online membership or a country membership, but it's best for my golf if i have a home course that i know i can get a round at whenever i want, and also to use during the longer daylight savings days.

[Hatchman]

I joined one of the options I listed back on page 1 today.

[Flavzz]

I joined one of the options I listed back on page 1 today.

My money is on Sandy Creek

[Hatchman]

My money is on Sandy Creek

Not that one, even though it's closer to home.

[Flavzz]

not that one, even though it's closer to home.

sga?

[nadg63]

sga?

Just keep going through the list until there's none left

[Hatchman]

sga?

not that one either.
Joined a Hard_Pan's home.
Once the express way is finished it will be a fairly quick trip from home.

[Flavzz]

He wasn't giving us much. Figured he wanted us to run the list. What's the condition like? Last time I played there it was rough.

[Hatchman]

He wasn't giving us much. Figured he wanted us to run the list. What's the condition like? Last time I played there it was rough.

How long ago was that?
I can't speak for condition atm as it's been 2yrs since I last had a hit there.
HP is the one that answer that best currently.

I played there quite a few times back in the late 90's early 2000's before BTM really stuffed the course up. I mean they really let the course go and the best thing that could happen is they are no longer involved. It's got better each time I've played it under the new management but still not back to how I remember it. They had so much to fix up it was always going to take time to fix the damage done.

[Flavzz]

6 months ago. Sad to see as it was once in pretty good shape and an enjoyable 9 hole course.

[Hatchman]

6 months ago. Sad to see as it was once in pretty good shape and an enjoyable 9 hole course.

You would have been horrified if you'd seen it 2yrs ago just after the new management took over.

[nadg63]

I looked into this a little bit as being able to retain a Hcp is something I'd like to do without having the costly club membership that 1. Does not fit my Budget and 2. I wont get any value out of only playing a hand full of games a year.

With what Wenz posted and looking at another similar option where HardPan on this forum plays I've broken it up into some Pros and Cons

Social Golf Australia
Cost of $95 a year and pay agreed/arranged Green Fee rate for each game.
Pros
$95
Golf Link Hcp that can be used to play Comp anywhere
Cons
One game a month on a set date with the S.A arm (no compulsory)
No home course

Sandy Creek
Cost of $99 a year and pay agreed/arranged Green Fee rate for each game.
Pros
$99
Golf Link Hcp that can be used to play Comp anywhere
A 18 hole home course
Can chose what day you want to play
Course is of a good standard
Cons
I wont put in my own personal issue here so I can't see any real Con apart from maybe location/travel but for limit use is it an issue?

North Haven Golf Club (Hard_Pans Home)
Cost of $110 a year and pay agreed/arranged Green Fee rate for each game. (hope this is correct as taken from web)
Pros
$110
Golf Link Hcp that can be used to play Comp anywhere
A home course
Can chose what day you want to play
Someone off the Forum is a Member
Cons
Course & condition not in the same league as Sandy Creek (sorry HP, not meant to offend)
Maybe location/travel but for limit use is it an issue?

A couple that have caught my eye down south are:

Thaxted Park - have a $300 Twilight category, Sun-Fri but doesn't give times available etc!? (maybe they have enough members already as they have not bothered to answer the emails I sent them asking for more details regarding this membership!)

Victor Harbor - $248 Pay as you Play, 12 months membership from joining date. 6 day playing rights (excludesSaturday play) subject to availability. Can gain & maintain a handicap.Cannot enter Club championship events. Maximum of 30 rounds of golfper year with discounted green fees payable of $25 per round for 18holes and $15 per round of 9 holes. No Reciprocal Rights

- $482 Casual membership, 12 months membership from joining date.7 day playing rights subject toavailability. Can gain & maintain a handicap. Cannot enter Clubchampionship events. Maximum of 15 rounds of golf in 12 monthsubscription period. No Reciprocal Rights.

Or there's always the option of back to The Vines on their Flexi membership - but been there done that!

[Flavzz]

That Thaxted deal seems decent. Close to me too.

[nadg63]

That Thaxted deal seems decent. Close to me too.

Been trying to get more info as mentioned, not answering emails so might get around to phoning them eventually! (only 5mins away for me)

[Hatchman]

A couple that have caught my eye down south are:

Thaxted Park - have a $300 Twilight category, Sun-Fri but doesn't give times available etc!? (maybe they have enough members already as they have not bothered to answer the emails I sent them asking for more details regarding this membership!)

Victor Harbor - $248 Pay as you Play, 12 months membership from joining date. 6 day playing rights (excludesSaturday play) subject to availability. Can gain & maintain a handicap.Cannot enter Club championship events. Maximum of 30 rounds of golfper year with discounted green fees payable of $25 per round for 18holes and $15 per round of 9 holes. No Reciprocal Rights

- $482 Casual membership, 12 months membership from joining date.7 day playing rights subject toavailability. Can gain & maintain a handicap. Cannot enter Clubchampionship events. Maximum of 15 rounds of golf in 12 monthsubscription period. No Reciprocal Rights.

Or there's always the option of back to The Vines on their Flexi membership - but been there done that!

The Victor one looks like too many $$$ for Membership with Pay per Play for games. That and the travel to get there.

Hardly thought Thaxted were in any position to not respond to enquireries from potential members. Maybe the White Whale that's throwing the cash around for the course has them complacent.

[Flavzz]

Been trying to get more info as mentioned, not answering emails so might get around to phoning them eventually! (only 5mins away for me)

I gave Thaxted a call today. The Twilight membership gives you access from 3pm Sunday to Friday (exc Sat). Also you get member introduced green fees at other times. The breakdown is $300 for fees, $60 for golfink affiliation fees and $100 which you get back in food and beverage credit. Not bad really.

[Hatchman]

I gave Thaxted a call today. The Twilight membership gives you access from 3pm Sunday to Friday (exc Sat). Also you get member introduced green fees at other times. The breakdown is $300 for fees, $60 for golfink affiliation fees and $100 which you get back in food and beverage credit. Not bad really.

That’s not bad if you use it after 3pm for a bit of practice. Handy if it’s close to home.
No so good for just retaining a hcp and a hand full of games a year with Green Fees on Top.
Any idea what the guest rate there is? I forgot what we paid in January.

[Flavzz]

That’s not bad if you use it after 3pm for a bit of practice. Handy if it’s close to home.No so good for just retaining a hcp and a hand full of games a year with Green Fees on Top.Any idea what the guest rate there is? I forgot what we paid in January.

It will suit me well as I'll get 9 holes in on a Sunday arvo and can use it as a practice base. Then play Saturday comps for guest rates. The rate is $30 on weekends or $25 during the week. About $10/round less than public.

[Flavzz]

Plus it's 5 min from me.

[nadg63]

Plus it's 5 min from me.

Even closer to me BUT I’m not certain I’d want to play Fuxtead on a regular basis - pretty ordinary around there!Re the green fees, playing after 3pm/twilight no fee, just when playing at other times correct!?

[coalesce]

If Victor was an option that people were considering, then you should also look at Lady Bay, which has a PAYG membership for $350 that gives you 7 day access at $20/round on weekends/public holidays or $15/round at other times, and you can still play in club champs.

http://www.linksladybay.com.au/golf-...bership-links/

Make sure you're comparing apples with apples tho - for example I don't think the Lady Bay prices include the various levies. Do the prices given above?

[thecollective]

That's perfect Flavzz, you can use the 9 holes as a practice after work preparing you for the Sat comp. Having the cheap green free reduces the pressure of having to play/drag yourself out there every Saturday in order to justify ROI - this is one of the biggest killers in golf membership at the moment

Some of the changes have the made the course a bit more interesting. As noted in other forums I like the holes that run through the barranca (using the correct word, thanks Benje I normally just call it a valley). Its arguably one the picks of the public tracks in SA at the moment.

[Flavzz]

If Victor was an option that people were considering, then you should also look at Lady Bay, which has a PAYG membership for $350 that gives you 7 day access at $20/round on weekends/public holidays or $15/round at other times, and you can still play in club champs.

http://www.linksladybay.com.au/golf-...bership-links/

Make sure you're comparing apples with apples tho - for example I don't think the Lady Bay prices include the various levies. Do the prices given above?

Its an interesting point. If you pay upfront you dont have to pay the water levy, which is an additional $25 per month if you pay it all via direct debit. Talking to the guy from the club this may change at the end of their financial year (end of August). So upfront its $460 total incl $100 bar credit or $55 per month DD including the $100 credit. Obviously way better to pay up front, but ill likely wait until August so i dont have to repay the golflink and bar credit again.

That's perfect Flavzz, you can use the 9 holes as a practice after work preparing you for the Sat comp. Having the cheap green free reduces the pressure of having to play/drag yourself out there every Saturday in order to justify ROI - this is one of the biggest killers in golf membership at the moment

Some of the changes have the made the course a bit more interesting. As noted in other forums I like the holes that run through the barranca (using the correct word, thanks Benje I normally just call it a valley). Its arguably one the picks of the public tracks in SA at the moment.

Agree mate, it works out well for me as i cant play every weekend anyway but still gives me comp access at good rates plus plenty of 'free' practice time. Can then also play Ozgolf days without fear of losing out the ROI as you mentioned.

As far as the course goes i really dont mind it. A bit of variety and the condition is decent. The big plus is proximity, you're always more likely to get value out of it when its close to home.

[nadg63]

The big plus is proximity, you're always more likely to get value out of it when its close to home.

That was my thinking at The Vines lol