Tied to the one course

I have been playing golf for about 1 year now having had lessons last February time. I have decided that golf will remain one of my hobbies and I play every week rain or shine.

I have not joined a club as yet as I enjoy playing different courses around the area here in the east of England where I live.

It would be much cheaper for me to join a club as the pay and play approach can work out more expensive as I often play more than once per week but I do not want to play at the same course all the time.

It would be ideal if golf clubs would allow members from other clubs in the area to play a number of rounds each year at their courses to give local golfers a change of venue occasionally.

Does this happen in other countries or am I alone in wanting to play at different clubs?

Just a thought!!!!!!!!!

Hi John,

I'm a member of a club and like you thought I would find it a bit repetitive.

Although the course becomes familiar I still haven't broken scratch yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you move your ball 10 feet in any direction on any one fairway it's a different approach shot, therfore every shot is different every weekend the weather condition is different, pin placments, greens can be faster or slower etc, etc.

What I mean is it never gets boring!!

Although I do understand what you mean, that why I joined a golf society and play about 9 or 10 different courses a year, I did this mainly to test my ability at course management.

Take the plunge its worth it.

Hope this helps

Ian.

In the USA in general, clubs do have the recrprical policy of allowing guest members to play their courses. Let your club pro know where and when, and they will make a call to the course's pro and set that up. You will have to pay their full rates, so this is not a cheeper solution, in fact it is more expensive because you are still paying your club dues. But you are now open to play the private courses if you have the money.

If money is the constraint, learn to love your course.

If you can't join a club, learn to play the public courses at the right times...like the weekdays. Get to know that pro and the staff taking lessons and just hanging around. They love to break the monotony from that job. You start to build your own repore there...kind of like having your own club. Then, you might get invited to play in the tournaments that could be at the private clubs.

In general again, I do not think it is in any clubs interest to allow mambers of other clubs to simply play their course without paying extra...if that was the case, everyone would join the cheepest club and all play at the nicest.

Ian,

Thanks for your comments.

I haven't played any one course enough yet to get bored with it, fortunately the course that is closest to me (less than 1 mile) is one of my favourites to play and my work colleagues are members there too.

I will be making the plunge soon, especially as the days are getting longer. Can't wait for the warm days and light evenings!

I have a home course within a mile but am not a member. Just a local public course. I play there often as it is not expensive. I play at different courses all the time, mostly on invitations from members.

If you play your home course often your handicap will remain pretty consistent. Jumping from course to course and not knowing the layout will bring it up somewhat.

I get torn between the two. A new challenge is always a good thing. Golf is always new and changing, a new course can spark a renewed interest.

GolfBald

I played primarily one muni course for close to 10 years and never got bored because I enjoyed the company and just love to play. Where I have had the opportunity to play other courses all over the country is through business and charity events. Also, vacations.

One thing you may care to consider that a lot of guys where I live do is plan a golf outing once a year with 4 or 8 good friends (figure about four days) to an area that has a lot of golf courses. We generally plan this in the off season to warmer climates. In the US many golfers go to Florida, Arizona, the Carolinas, and Georgia. It is a great way to spend golf time and gives you the chance to experience different tracks in different places. Often times these locales and hotels have golf packages available making the experience very affordable relative to what you get to do. Over time you will find you will have played a lot of different courses.

Hi Ian,

What are these golf societies you mentioned?
A cheaper way to play other courses than where you're a member?

Is this something like the 2-for-1 scheme?

Tom

Hello

golf societies are basically a group of friends or colleagues who play together regularly. I play in 2 societies, one on a monthly basis and one that meets twice a year. If you logon to a golf clubs web site you will probably see deals for societies. You get a preferential rate as you are a large group, and food may be included in the price. Basically anyone can put together a society - you just need the numbers.

Cheers

Matt

I guess that my biggest reason for joining a club is that is where my friends golf. I can arrange regular weekly tee times and play for bragging rights. That to me is the big advantage of joining a club meeting the people and finding golfing buddies. The other is the ability to go out at off hours play 4 or 5 holes work on my game while my 2 year old tears up my golf cart.

I also do not find it boring to golf at the same place each week. In fact if you are attempting to try and get better at your course management skills it can be a positive. since you know the course, and can experiment on diferent scoring approaches. Now there are courses where I believe I would get board pretty fast playing everyday but the key is to find one that is challenging enough for your skill level and you enjoy.

Bob