Five reasons why you should join a golf club

03/09/2024 15:00

If you’ve never been a member of a golf club before, you might have been put off by a number of factors.

Historically they’ve been seen as elitist, snobby and only for a certain crowd but this is as archaic a view as some of the game’s old traditions.

Golf clubs are moving with the times and they’re run and overseen by people who far better understand our needs.

We look at why you might want to lose the nomadic golfer tag and become a member of a club.

1. Getting your money’s worth

Everything seems to cost a lot of money these days but there's no point glossing over the fact that it will cost plenty to join a golf club. But there are so many schemes to explore to make it work for you and to be able to pay in monthly chunks to avoid that initial large outlay. You will spend your time trying to work out whether you are getting your money's worth but it will/should get you out there more often. How often do you come off the 18th green and think what a waste of time that was? Not a lot. And, if you do play more, you will be doing yourself so many benefits.

Golf isn't seen as a big health kicker but a Scandinavian study found a 40 per cent reduction in mortality rates among 300,000 members of the Swedish Golf Federation, which equates to an increase in life expectancy of about five years. Better still golf can help prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia. Likewise cholesterol and blood pressure are reduced in golfers.

2. Play when you want

One drawback on golf club membership is our inflexibility. The Saturday tee sheet is generally packed out as that's when everyone seems to want to play and this is when the bulk of the club competitions tend to take place. But golf clubs are learning and there are more midweek options or you can just adapt your membership to what suits you.

Golf clubs are getting better at offering flexible memberships so you can join as a 5 or 6-day member to suit your schedules. If Saturdays are likely to be a no-go due to work or family commitments then you don't need to fork out for weekend golf which might save you around £300.

3. Make it work for you

As a visitor you will want to get value for money and the thought of playing a few holes for a full green fee won't register with many of us. As a member you can get out for nine or 12 holes or however many you fancy to get some fresh air and work on an element of your game. You can take out a half set or three clubs to keep things fresh and you'll soon notice that this is a great way to improve your game and become more creative. If you don't play a certain hole well then you can tackle it in different ways or you might enjoy the back nine more than the front. Again, you can make your membership work for you.

There will be rounds where you can't put a price on a round of golf. An evening round in the fading sun, with three of your best mates and everyone plays OK, and the match goes down the 18th – these are the rounds that will live with you when the nights close in, these are the moments where you won't question your golf club membership. Similarly being the first out in the morning and getting the first go on the greens is another treat. Being a member allows you to pick and choose when you want to play rather than having to fit in with the limitations of your visitor's rights.

4. A place to practice

Visits to the driving range can quickly add up with 100 balls easily costing over £10 at many places. If you join a golf club you will certainly have heavily subsidised balls or maybe even complimentary ones. You will be able to hit off turf, get to know other members and not have to wait for a bay to become free in busy periods.

If you pick the right club you might be able to use a short-game area, an aspect of the game where clubs are becoming more aware of, and you can enjoy the merits of a putting green. If you want to get your handicap down then improving your putting would be top of most golfers' lists.

5. Make new friends

When you join the right golf club the onus is on them as much as you to make sure you meet fellow new members. They want you there to enjoy the club as well as to spend money in the pro shop and behind the bar. It’s in their benefit to retain the membership so they should be introducing you to others and getting you involved in the various competitions.

Some people will claim that they’ve got enough friends but here you have hundreds of like-minded people who are all in their happy place. Good golf clubs will go out of their way to give you a feel for the place before you take the plunge so shop around and make enquiries and you might soon be making one of your best ever decisions.

READ MORE:Trying to break 90 again: back on the golf course

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